The Douglas DC-7B

The DC-7B was a direct development of the DC-7, which ushered in non-stop transcontinental airline service.  The DC-7B was externally identical to the DC-7, except for DC-7C style lengthened nacelles filled with fuel on Pan American and South African examples.  This extra fuel often enabled non-stop transatlantic flights under normal circumstances (anything more than light headwinds still required a westbound stop at Gander or Iceland).  Thus, many of the DC-7B's were sold to airlines with international routes, although Eastern had a large fleet of the planes, and later DC-7 deliveries to American and Delta were designated DC-7B's.  Lockheed, after seeing the impressive speed and range statistics of the DC-7B, hurredly began development of the 1049G model from their current offering (the L1049E), but the DC-7B was still a little faster than even the Super G.

Douglas ended up selling 112 DC-7B's (more than the 105 DC-7's sold), and the DC-7B proved to be a very popular plane on overseas routes.  The DC-7B is often considered the fastest of the Douglas propliners due to aerodynamic improvements over the DC-7, but they proved to be less reliable and economical than the DC-6 series, and almost (?) all have been retired and scrapped.

High quality R-3350 DC-7 stereo sounds are available from Jon Jefferys. These are the best I've heard so far. They are designed to be used with the FS2004 slow engine startup. This package is downloaded separately; the base packs include a much smaller PropSound package. Last updated on 10/30/13. Update that reduces sound when engines are stopped. Last updated on 11/1/2013.

To repaint the GMAX DC-7's you can use the Paint kit for GMAX DC-7's.  Contains layered PSD files (usable in both Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro) which allow you to place your paint scheme between the bare metal layers and the windows and doors.  Makes for fast painting!  Note:  there are no actual painting instructions in the file; follow the detailed instructions in my Repainting Tutorial.   Please read the included text file for details for each DC-7 model. Now includes opening door shapes and freight doors for the DC-7CF and DC-7F  (20 MB). Description of the DC-7F interior textures here and here. Last updated on 10/31/13.

Exhaust flames and Startup flames/smoke Package by Wayne Tudor available! (Already included in the Base Packs below.)

Click on the image to download the plane.

Pan American DC-7B  FS2004 Pan American World Airways DC-7B Base Pack.  FS2004 ONLY.  Greg Pepper and I have created the DC-7B with the saddle tank nacelles found on the DC-7C, which packed more fuel for greater range.  Only Pan American and South African purchased this option; all other DC-7B's were externally identical to stock DC-7's.  Dave McQueen and I have painted it into the delivery colors of the launch customer, Pan American.  Thanks!  Pan American named this one Clipper Evening Star.  It features FSAviator's great flight dynamics too, with the extra fuel available for those long trips! Now includes non-radar version.  Requires the United DC-7 Base Pack for panel and sounds. Last modified on 6/23/19.

FSX/P3D DC-7B Base Pack.  I've converted these saddle tank models to FSX native format for use in FSX and P3D.  This is a full package and does not need the FS2004 Base Pack above. Requires theUnited DC-7 Base Pack for panel and sounds.  Last updated on 10/21/2020.

American Air Lines DC-7 FS2004 American Airlines DC-7B Base Pack.  FS2004 ONLY.  This is the domestic DC-7B, based on Greg Pepper's DC-6 series.  It features animated speed brakes (the main gear was used as a speed brake).  Notice that this version has the short nacelles (and lower fuel capacity), identical to the original DC-7.  This one was named Flagship Nevada.  Of course it has FSAviator's great flight dynamics too! Now includes non-radar version.  Requires theUnited DC-7 Base Pack for panel and sounds. Last modified on 6/21/19.

FSX/P3D DC-7B Base Pack.  I've converted these non saddle tank models to FSX native format for use in FSX and P3D.  This is a full package and does not need the FS2004 Base Pack above. Requires the United DC-7 Base Pack for panel and sounds.  Last updated on 10/21/2020.

FS2004/FSX American Airlines DC-7BF Base Pack. This aircraft is the same as the DC-7F Base Pack, since almost all DC-7's were converted to DC-7B's when converted.

National DC-7B   FS200/FSX National Airlines DC-7B.  National, "The Airline of the Stars" bought DC-7B's to compete with those of Eastern on the lucrative New York-Miami route.  They also flew the interchange routes to Los Angeles and San Franciso, so I had to paint one up.  Enjoy!  Textures only - requires the American DC-7B above and the United DC-7 Base Pack for panel and sounds.  Last updated on 6/11/10.

  FS2004/FSX Continental Airlines DC-7B.  Continental bought DC-7B's in 1957 after receiving the Chicago-Los Angeles route award.  Their DC-6B's weren't fast enough to compete effectively with American's and United's DC-7's or TWA's Super G's, so Continental joined the "big boys" with the '7B.  They flew this route as the "class" aircraft type until the Viscounts arrived in 1958, and then were used in coach service.  Once the jets arrived, they were sold off.  Tim Withers painted this one - Thanks!  Use the textures only - requires the American DC-7B above and the United DC-7 Base Pack for panel and sounds. Last modified on 7/17/03.

Pan American DC-7B FS2004/FSX Pan American DC-7B.  Here's the DC-7B in the classic 1959 "meatball" Pan Am paint scheme, with Wayne Tudor doing the painting.  Pan Am DC-7B's were common throughout the world, although they only owned 7, and were overshadowed by the more numerous DC-7C's.  Pan Am introduced DC-7B service on June 13, 1955 and it ushered in the final phase of Pan Am's propliner era. Very nice, Wayne! Textures only - requires the Pan American DC-7B above and the United DC-7 Base Pack for panel and sounds. Last updated on 3/23/05.