The Douglas DC-7B
The DC-7B was a direct development of the DC-7, which ushered in non-stop transcontinental airline service. The DC-7B was externally identical to the DC-7, except for DC-7C style lengthened nacelles filled with fuel on Pan American and South African examples. This extra fuel often enabled non-stop transatlantic flights under normal circumstances (anything more than light headwinds still required a westbound stop at Gander or Iceland). Thus, many of the DC-7B's were sold to airlines with international routes, although Eastern had a large fleet of the planes, and later DC-7 deliveries to American and Delta were designated DC-7B's. Lockheed, after seeing the impressive speed and range statistics of the DC-7B, hurredly began development of the 1049G model from their current offering (the L1049E), but the DC-7B was still a little faster than even the Super G.
Douglas ended up selling 112 DC-7B's (more than the 105 DC-7's sold), and the DC-7B proved to be a very popular plane on overseas routes. The DC-7B is often considered the fastest of the Douglas propliners due to aerodynamic improvements over the DC-7, but they proved to be less reliable and economical than the DC-6 series, and almost (?) all have been retired and scrapped.
Indicates
I built and painted the plane (in collaboration with Harry Follas or Greg Pepper).
Indicates
someone else painted my plane - thanks!
To repaint the GMAX DC-7B'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:
DC-7B with short nacelles (AAL, NAL, CAL)
DC-7B with long nacelles (PAA, SAA)
Exhaust flames and Startup flames/smoke Package by Wayne Tudor available!
FS2004/FS2002/FSX Pan American World Airways DC-7B. Greg Pepper and
I have created the DC-7B with the saddle tank nacelles found on the DC-7C, which
packed more fuel for greater range. Only Pan American and South African
purchased this option; all other DC-7B's were identical to stock DC-7's. Dave
McQueen and I have painted it into the delivery colors of the launch customer,
Pan American. Thanks! Pan American named this one Clipper Evening
Star. It features FSAviator's great flight dynamics too, with the extra
fuel available for those long trips! Requires the DC-7
Panel and Prop Sounds (or download the
UAL DC-7 package). Last modified on 10/16/07. FS2000/FS98
version by Harry Follas. Last updated on 7/16/00.
FS2004/FS2002/FSX American Airlines
DC-7B This is a new GMAX DC-7B, based on Greg Pepper's DC-6 series.
It features animated speed brakes (the main gear was used as a speed brake).
Notice that this version has the short nacelles (and lower fuel capacity),
identical to the original DC-7. This one was named Flagship Nevada.
Of course it has FSAviator's great flight dynamics too! Requires
the DC-7 Panel and Prop Sounds
(or download the UAL DC-7 package). Last modified on
10/16/07.
FS2004/FS2002/FSX National Airlines DC-7B. National,
"The Airline of the Stars" bought DC-7B's to compete with those of
Eastern on the lucrative New York-Miami route. They also flew the interchange
routes to Los Angeles and San Franciso, so I had to paint one up. Enjoy!
Requires the DC-7 Panel and Prop
Sounds (or download the UAL DC-7 package). Last updated on
10/16/07.
FS2002 Continental Airlines
DC-7B. Continental bought DC-7B's in 1957 after receiving the Chicago-Los
Angeles route award. Their DC-6B's weren't fast enough to compete effectively
with American's and United's DC-7's or TWA's Super G's, so Continental joined
the "big boys" with the '7B. They flew this route as the "class" aircraft
type until the Viscounts arrived in 1958, and then were used in coach service.
Once the jets arrived, they were sold off. Tim Withers painted this
one - Thanks!. Textures only - requires the American DC-7B (above),
DC-7 Panel and Prop Sounds.
Last modified on 7/17/03. FS2000
version. Last modified on 9/16/01. FS98
version. Last modified on 10/8/00.
FS2004
Pan American DC-7B. Here's the DC-7B in the classic 1959 "meatball"
Pan Am paint scheme, with Wayne Tudor doing the painting. Pan Am DC-7B's
were common throughout the world, although they only owned 7, and were overshadowed
by the more numerous DC-7C's. Pan Am introduced DC-7B service on June
13, 1955 and it ushered in the final phase of Pan Am's propliner era. Very nice,
Wayne! Textures only - requires the Pan American DC-7B above. Last
updated on 3/23/05. FS2000/FS98 Version
by Harry Follas. Last updated on 7/16/00.