Photo ID: 1011700
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Model: Douglas DC-7C, "Seven Seas" |
Registration: N90251 |
| Year: 1958 |
Serial Number: c/n 45367, Fuselage 918 |
| Engine(s): Wright R3350, 988TC-18-EA1, 3400-HP |
Owner: Brooks Fuel Inc., Fairbanks, AK |
| Location: PAFA, Fairbanks International, Fairbanks, AK |
Photographer: Ken Stoltzfus |
| Date: July 2004 |
Present Registration: Same |
Present Owner (FAA info): Same |
Notes: 9/20/05 - This aircraft was delivered in January 1958 to TAI and French registered as F-BIAQ. Air Madagascar, or MadAir leased it from Oct. '61 into 1963. The French Air Force used it from early 1964 until late 1978, under French registration F-ZBCB. See notes below.
The FAA files show a September 1978 Bill of Sale from Gyrafrance International, Paris, France, to Engine Air Limited, St. Louis, MO, for $50,000. Engine Air registered it as N90251. In early '79 it was sold to GCA Inc., Houston, TX and in May '82, to Commercial Leasing, Inc. of New Orleans, LA.
In early 1986, Airport Terminal Services, St. Louis, MO, had a $23,652 lien on the aircraft and an April 1986, Sheriff's Bill of Sale transfers it to T&G Aviation, Chandler, AZ, for $4,500. Their
Application for Airworthiness Certificate shows 19,705-hours total time. They certificated it in multiple categories, i.e. both Standard and Restricted. In January 1995 it was sold to Brooks Fuel, Fairbanks, AK.
I don't know much Brooks used it, but I was told that they hope to have it flying again. One of the challenges of the DC-7 is that it is made of 5056 aluminum, which has higher magnesium content than alloys typically used in aircraft. Corrosion becomes a major handicap with 5056.
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Photo ID: 1011701
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Inside the nose gear well. |
| Photographer: Ken Stoltzfus |
Photo ID: 1011702
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The French Air Force mounted a radome on the top center of the fuselage and another on the belly, forward of the wing. They had three such DC-7's, i.e. F-ZBCA, B and C to use in tracking the long range nuclear missiles they were testing.
The fuselage was divided into three zones. The forward zone had the equipment and operators, the center part, nearly 1000-gal. of additional fuel (now 8800+ total) for endurance of up to 15-hours, and the aft section which had 19 seats, 10 berths, a conference table and kitchen. There was typically a crew of 12 including two pilots, two mechanics, a navigator and seven technicians.
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| Photographer: Ken Stoltzfus |
Photo ID: 1011703
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Your 18-Cylinder, twin row, 3350-cubic inch, 3400-HP Wright engine. The Power Recovery Turbine was an exhaust driven turbine with a shaft that transmitted power back into the engine. It was probably a spectacular idea, but it caused problems and more than a few in-flight failures, fires, etc.
Some of the Wright R3350's can go as high as 3570-HP on 145-grade fuel, making it the highest power/cubic inch ratio of any radial engine. These engines were originally 3400-HP, but T&G operated them at only 2880 at 53" M.P. on 100-LL.
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| Photographer: Ken Stoltzfus |
Photo ID: 1011704
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Welcome aboard. This aircraft never had a cargo door. |
| Photographer: Ken Stoltzfus |
Photo ID: 1011705
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Lots of flap there. The DC-7C's wing span is over 127' |
| Photographer: Ken Stoltzfus |
Photo ID: 1011706
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That's a 3648-Gal. tank. It was originally used in a Boeing KC-97 aerial refueler, next a spray tank for T&G Aviation, and finally a bulk fuel tank for Brooks.
So how do you get such a tank into a DC-7 without a cargo door? You cut it into sections that will go through the door, and then re-weld it inside.
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| Photographer: Ken Stoltzfus |
Photo ID: 1011707
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Looking aft. The cowling and a prop spinner are stored in front of the tank. |
| Photographer: Ken Stoltzfus |
Photo ID: 1011708
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Lots of stuff there for the Captain to keep track of. |
| Photographer: Ken Stoltzfus |
Photo ID: 1011709
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The First Officer's side. |
| Photographer: Ken Stoltzfus |
Photo ID: 1011710
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Lots of buttons and switches to play with if one gets bored! |
| Photographer: Ken Stoltzfus |
Photo ID: 1011711
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Like a mother hen watching over her chick. |
| Photographer: Ken Stoltzfus |
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www.FlyingHigher.net - Douglas Aircraft
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