| Douglas Dc-4e |
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| u.s. airliners 1930-1939 | |
| douglas aircraft | |
| dc-04e | |
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The Douglas DC-4E was an experimental airliner that was developed before World War II . The design originated in 1935 from a requirement by United Air Lines . The goal was to develop a much larger and more sophisticated replacement for the DC-3 , before the first DC-3 had even flown. There was enough interest from other airlines, that American Airlines , Eastern Airlines , Pan American Airways , and TWA joined United in providing $100,000 each toward the cost of developing the new aircraft. With a planned capacity of 42 passengers, the DC-4 (as it was then known) would seat twice as many people as the DC-3. It would be the first large airplane with a nose wheel. Other innovations included auxiliary power units, power-boosted flight controls, alternating current electrical system, and air conditioning. Cabin pressurization was also planned for the production aircraft. The aircraft also featured a novel tail with three Vertical Stabilizer s. This provided sufficient vertical stabilizer area to allow the aircraft to take-off with only two engines on one side operating while still allowing the plane to fit into existing hangars. The prototype first flew on June 7 , 1938 from Clover Field in Santa Monica, California . It was used by United Air Lines for in-service evaluation during 1939 . Operating the aircraft was remarkably trouble-free. However, the complex systems proved to be expensive to maintain and the design was abandoned in favor of a less complex four-engined design. This newer design was designated DC-4 , leading to the earlier design to be re-designated DC-4E (E for "experimental"). The DC-4E Was sold to Japan, which was buying western aircraft for evaluation and technology transfer during this period. The design became the basis of the Nakajima G5N bomber. SPECIFICATIONS (DOUGLAS DC-4E) General characteristics
Performance
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