Qantas Douglas DC-4 "Hong Kong Trader," (1:200)

WWII in Europe had only ended a few months earlier when Overseas Airlines introduced the first commercial North Atlantic DC-4 service. Another first took place on March 7, 1946 when American Airlines introduced U.S. DC-4 domestic service between New York and Los Angeles. During the late 1940s and early 1950s the DC-4 and converted C-54s carried more passengers than any other four-engine transport. Amazingly many of these aircraft are still operating more than 60 years after they were first manufactured.

In August 1946 this aircraft was a DC-4-1009 c/n 43067-63 manufactured for Trans Australia Airlines as VH-TAC and named "John Forrest". Twenty months later the plane was sold to British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines as VH-BPA and named "Adventure". On February 15, 1949 the plane sold to QANTAS Empire Airways Ltd. as VH-EBL named "Hong Kong Trader". January 13, 1961 it sold to Ansett-ANA as VH-INY and later Leased to McRobertson Miller Airlines. This aircraft was owned and/or operated by all four Australian airlines before being scrapped in South Africa in January 1979.

Specifications for the Douglas Aircraft Company DC-4-1009
Crew � 4
Passengers � up to 86
Dimensions
Length � 93 ft 10 in (28.6 m)
Wingspan � 117 ft 6 in (35.8 m)
Height � 27 ft 6 in (8.38 m)
Weight
Empty � 43,300 lb (19,640 kg)
Normal Load Weight � 63,500 lb (28,800 kg)
Maximum Take-Off � 73,000 lb (33,100 kg)
Performance
Engines � (4) Pratt & Whitney R-2000 radial / 1,450 hp each
Maximum Speed � 280 mph (450 km/h)
Cruise Speed � 227 mph (365 km/h)
Range � 4,250 miles (6,839 km)
Service Ceiling � 22,300 ft (6,800 m)