Summary Douglas was initially hesitant to build the DC-7 until American Airlines committed to purchasing 25. The DC-7 revolutionized US commercial aviation by offering the first non-stop coast-to-coast flights. The aircraft was converted into a freighter as passenger demand declined, extending its lifespan.
Built by the Douglas Aircraft Company between 1953 and 1958, the DC-7 was a derivative of the DC-6, made to fly coast-to-coast across the US in as little as eight hours. The DC-7 was the last piston-engine powered plane built by Douglas, and no examples of the aircraft are still flying today. Douglas was initially reluctant to build the DC-7 As the Second World War drew to a close, Pan American World Airways approached Douglas, requesting a civilian version of the company's C-74 Globemaster military transport aircraft.
However, Pam Am later canceled its order for what was initially designated as the DC-7, and the name went unused for the time being. Nonetheless, the idea resurfaced for an aircraft with the DC-7 designation when American Airlines asked for a plane that could fly coast to coast non-stop. However, Douglas was initially reluctant to build the aircraft until American Airlines ' President C.
R. Smith said he wanted 25 of them. The deal would be worth $40 million to Douglas, which was enough to cover the initial development costs.
Love aviation history ? Discover more of our stories here! Slightly larger than the popular Douglas DC-6 model, the DC-7 would be powe.