Douglas DC-7

The Douglas DC-7 was an advanced development of the

DC-6B piston-engine airliner. It was introduced by American Airlines on its New York–Los Angeles route in November 1953 and was the first airliner to provide nonstop transcontinental service in both directions.

The fastest transport aircraft in service, the DC-7 cruised at 580 kilometers (360 miles) per hour. A total of 338 DC-7s of all types were purchased by 18 different airlines. Like other piston-engine airliners, it was made obsolete by the introduction of turbine-engine Boeing 707s and Douglas

DC-8s. Some DC-7s later served as cargo and charter planes.

This nose section is from American Airlines’ Flagship Vermont, which carried about 130,000 passengers in its nearly 13,500 hours aloft.

Gift of American Airlines

Wingspan:35.8 m (117 ft 6 in)

Length:33.2 m (108 ft 11 in)

Height:8.7 m (28 ft 7 in)

Weight, gross:55,429 kg (122,200 lb)

Weight, empty:30,076 kg (66,305 lb)

Top speed:656 km/h (410 mph)

Engine:4 Wright R-3350 Turbo Compound, 3,250 hp

Manufacturer:Douglas Aircraft Co., Santa Monica, Calif., 1956

Display Status

This object is on display in America by Air at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

America by Air
Panoramas
Object Details
Date 1956 Country of Origin United States of America Type CRAFT-Aircraft Physical Description Forward fuselage only. Dimensions Overall: 12 ft. 10 in. × 10 ft. 8 in. × 32 ft. 7 in., 14051lb. (391.2 × 325.1 × 993.1cm, 6373.5kg)
Dimensions taken by Move Contractor on behalf of CSC at the time of deinstall. Record Updated 12/15/2020. See As-Built in Media section for additional information.
Materials Overall: Aluminum
Inventory Number A19660149000 Credit Line Gift of American Airlines, Inc. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Open Access (CCO)
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