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In an era dominated by modern jets and efficient turboprops, the Douglas DC-7 stands as a tribute to the past. Known as America's last great piston-powered airliner, this aircraft represents the final chapter of the piston-engine age in commercial aviation. Developed in the 1950s, the DC-7 was designed for long-haul travel and was capable of nonstop flights from New York to Los Angeles.
"The Douglas DC-7 is considered the last major piston-engine, propeller-driven airliner in the US," notes Epic Flight Academy. The aircraft was powered by Wright R-3350 Duplex-Cyclone engines, providing both speed and range. However, these engines were known for being mechanically complex and prone to overheating.
Major airlines like American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Eastern Air Lines, and Braniff operated the DC-7. It offered new commercial possibilities such as nonstop coast-to-coast flights. Delta Air Lines introduced it in 1954 and used it until 1968.
