Built by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1953 to 1958, the DC-7 was the last piston engine-powered airliner made by Douglas. In total 338 aircraft were built, which were in later years converted to cargo aircraft or aerial fire-fighters, giving many aircraft a new lease on life, following the introduction of jet aircraft in passenger service. The last DC-7 was ultimately retired only in the year 2020. Douglas started development after American Airlines inquired for an airliner that could fly across the United States coast-to-coast, non-stop. Based on the DC-6, the DC-7 retained the same wing span, increasing the length of the fuselage by one meter (3 feet) and using the 18-cylinder, 3,250 horsepower Wright R-3350 engine. The prototype, registered N301AA, already revealing the aircraft’s future owner, first flew in May 1953. The first DC-7 was delivered to American Airlines in November the same year, equipped with first-class seating for 65 passengers. Nonstop service between New York and Los Angeles was inaugurated on November 29, 1953. Flight time was about eight hours, compared to the average ten to eleven hours it took its direct predecessor, the DC-6, including a fuel stop. This also shows how far aviation had developed: in the late 1940s, it took a DC-3 up to 17 hours, including three fuel stops, to accomplish the cross-continental journey. N301AA remained with Douglas for further testing until spring of 1954 when she was also delivered to American Airlines as Flagship Texas.
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