The Douglas DC-7
When Lockheed developed the L1049 Super Constellation, TWA enjoyed an advantage over other airlines, since the plane had non-stop transcontinental range, and was faster than the DC-6 (TWA marketing people didn't think people would sit still for a non-stop trip, however, and insisted on a stop until American announced upcoming non-stop service with their new DC-7's!). To counter this threat from the Super Conny, American requested that Douglas develop a plane with the L1049's engines (Wright R-3350's). Douglas was doubtful that a plane like that would sell, so American ordered 25 for $40 million, to provide an incentive. American ended up owning 34 DC-7's, and sales were made exlcusively to domestic US operators which used them on transcontinental routes, since the DC-7 didn't have the range for transocean non-stops and thus would not be much improvement over the DC-6B. However, they were very successful in transcontinental service, since they were faster than the Super Constellations, and allowed American to advertise 8 hour non-stop service.
Sales eventually totalled 105, with the owners being United (57), American (34), Delta (10), and National (4). However, Douglas went on to modify the DC-7 (with more fuel) to the DC-7B, and (with a lengthened fuselage and wings) to the DC-7C Seven Seas, and eventually sold a total of 338 of the DC-7 series, at a substantial profit. The DC-7's proved to be less reliable than the fabled DC-6B, and less economical as well. Thus, the DC-7's had a short stay in service with the major airlines, and were sold soon after the arrival of the jets. They worked for many years for 2nd tier airlines and as freighters or fire bombers, but most have been scrapped - suffering in comparison to arguably the best propliner ever, the DC-6B.
Indicates
I built and painted the plane (in collaboration with Harry Follas or Greg Pepper).
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someone else painted mine or Greg Pepper's plane - thanks!
To repaint the GMAX DC-7's you can use the Paint kit for GMAX DC-7's. Contains layered PSD files (usable in both Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro) which allow you to place your paint scheme between the bare metal layers and the windows and doors. Makes for fast painting! Note: there are no actual painting instructions in the file; follow the detailed instructions in my Repainting Tutorial. Please read the included text file for details for each DC-7 model (20 MB).
FS2004 Flight Model Updates for the DC-7 and DC-7B. Provide improved flight behavior in FS9.
Exhaust flames and Startup flames/smoke Package by Wayne Tudor available!
FS2004/FS2002/FSX United Air Lines
DC-7 This new plane GMAX plane by Greg Pepper is painted in the "modern"
United scheme common in the 1960's. These were also common in Sacramento
when I was a kid, and it was always a special treat to see a DC-7 instead of
the ubiquitous DC-6's. It features animated speed brakes (the main gear was
used as a speed brake). Since we are a California page, I thought it would
be appropriate to model the Mainliner Hollywood! It features FSAviator's
great flight dynamics too! Comes complete with KMCC DC-7 Panel
and Prop Sounds! - you will need to download and install the DC7
v6 panel for FS2002 instead. (20 MB). Last
modified on 12/17/07. FS2000 version.
Last modified on 9/16/01. FS98 version.
Last modified on 10/8/00. FS5 version
with metal shading by Rich Boehringer and flight dynamics by Mike Vidal. Last
modified on 3/16/97.
FS2004/FS2002/FSX American Air
Lines DC-7 This is the plane that CR Smith wouldn't let Donald Douglas
skip. Douglas wasn't sure that the DC-7 would sell, so CR bought 25 of
them to seal the deal. They allowed American to fly nonstop across the
USA. This one is (very appropriately) the Flagship California.
Requires the DC-7 Panel and Prop
Sounds (or download the UAL DC-7 package). Last
modified on 10/16/07. FS2000 version.
Last modified on 9/16/01. FS98 version.
Last modified on 10/8/00. FS5 version
with metal shading by Rich Boehringer and flight dynamics by Mike Vidal. Last
modified on 3/16/97.
FS2004/FS2002/FSX National
Airlines DC-7. This National DC-7 that I've painted displays their
"Airline of the Stars" livery, a very glamorous image indeed! The DC-7
was used for the major NAL routes, such as Miami-New York. It was eventually
replaced by DC-8's, keeping the Douglas tradition alive at National (although
National also tried Super Connies in the 50's, using them in coach service).
National also used DC-7's on the premier service with American and Delta
from Miami to Los Angeles and San Francisco, "The Tradewind". Requires
the DC-7 Panel and Prop Sounds
(or download the UAL DC-7 package). Last modified on 10/16/07. FS2000
version. Last modified on 9/16/01. FS98
version. Last modified on 10/8/00. FS5
version by Rich Boehringer. Last updated on 1/25/97.
FS2004 United Air Lines DC-7. Eric Joiner has painted the new
DC-7 into the original colors it wore at United. Thanks!! Last updated on 9/7/04.
FS2004
Delta Air Lines DC-7. Here's a DC-7 that Jim Campisi has painted into
the conservative colors of Delta Air Lines. Delta really liked the
'7, and used them into the late 60's. They were commonly seen in California
on interchange services with American and National. Last updated on 3/14/05.
FS2002 version by Tom Gibson. Last modified
on 8/26/02. FS2000 version. Last
modified on 9/16/01. FS98 version.
Last modified on 10/8/00. FS5
version by Guy Caron. Last modified on 4/12/98.