Douglas DC-7 Airliner

The Douglas DC-7 represents the pinnacle of piston-engine airliner design from the golden age of air travel. Introduced in 1953, this remarkable aircraft was the last major piston engine airliner produced by the Douglas Aircraft Company before the jet age took over. With a cruising speed of over 350 mph and a range that allowed for non-stop transcontinental flights, the DC-7 marked the zenith of propeller-driven, long-haul travel. It was widely used by major airlines such as Pan American World Airways and American Airlines, serving routes that spanned continents and oceans. The DC-7's ability to fly further and faster than its predecessors without refueling made it a favorite among airlines and passengers alike, heralding the end of an era as the dawn of the jet age approached. Its legacy is remembered by aviation enthusiasts around the world for its significant contributions to commercial aviation history.