BOAC Douglas DC-7C, 1957 (1:200)

The DC-7 was the last major piston engine powered transport made by the Douglas Aircraft Company. The DC-7 was produced from 1953 to 1958 when the first jet passenger aircraft arrived on the scene. The DC-7 was the first airliner to provide non-stop service from coast to coast in America. In total there were 338 DC-7's produced and purchased by 18 different airlines. When the jets replaced the DC-7 they found new work as cargo planes and charter work.

From 1939 until 1974 British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) was the British state airline. In 1974 BOAC merged with British European Airways Corporation to become British Airways. BOAC operated 10 DC-7C "Seven Seas" they had purchased because of the delay manufacturing the Bristol Britannia. One DC-7C was G-AOIB c/n 45112 that the airline operated from November 1956 until March 1964 when it was sold. The airframe went on to become N90802 with the tour company "Jolly Voyager" and later was converted into a water-bomber EC-888 and later EC-GGB with Basaer.

Specifications for the Douglas Aircraft Company DC-7C "Seven Seas"

Type - four-engine long-range airliner

First Flight - December 20, 1955

Total DC-7C Production - 121
Total Production All Variants - 338

Crew - 3 / 4

Passengers - Maximum 105

Dimensions
Wingspan - 127.5 ft (38.86 m)
Wing area - 1637 ft_ (152.1 m_)
Length - 112.2 ft (34.21 m)
Height - 31.8 ft (9.7 m)

Performance
Propulsion - 4 x Wright R-3350-18EA1 Turbo-compound radial engines each producing
3,400 hp (2,535 kW)
Max. Speed - 406 mph (653 km/h)
Cruise Speed - 355 mph (570 km/h)
Range - 5,635 miles (9,070 km)
Service Ceiling - 25,000 ft (7,600 m)
Rate of Climb - 1,043 ft/min (318 m/min)

Weight
Empty - 72,763 lb (33,005 kg)
Max. Takeoff - 143,000 lb (64,864 kg)
Max. Payload - 20,800 lb (9,435 kg)