butler aircraft tour
PILOT NOTES - MODIFIED DC-7 CABIN
Where they used to pack them in like cattle... |
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The entire top section of the economy class cabin has been stripped for weight (the tank is belly mounted). The only things in the rear hold are spare parts for the plane (you can't just taxi one of these planes into your average shop and expect to get a spare wheel or cylinder!). Each plane carries a full complement of parts and tools (in the rear for CG), including cylinders, pistons, tires, and the like. If in need of repairs while on assignment, most of the common issues can be dealt with on the spot. In the very rear of the photo below, you can see spare parts containers and the APU. In front of that, at mid-section, is a bracing box (two spars and cross-ties) that help support the belly tank. Moving forward, a couple of jump seats. In front of this area is the original first-class section, still outfitted as it was when United Airlines retired the plane. Currently in use as a crew lounge, complete with DVD player and nice (by 1950's standards) first class seats (which are not bolted down - so they can be moved)! |
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| Back in the cargo hold in photo below. Note the white wire to the left of Rick. The airframe is instrumented with strain guages to help monitor its health and collect data for study on the aging of the airframes. | ||||||
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| These shots below give you a sense of how many parts they carry on-board. Note the tires (far back) and other crates. The aluminum structure immediately in front of Gary and Rick is a load-bearing truss that supports the belly tanks. It spans the entire floor section, and distributes the tank loading across the entire span of the floor. | ||||||
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Jake, at left above, leans on the box containing the APU. This small piston engine is used to generate power to supplement the on-board batteries (for startup, or any other time they need extra juice). Rick, at right, answering a question from Jake (age 5). |
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| I am awestruck...Standing at the very back of the aircraft. | ||||||
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