I was having a conversation about private aircraft this morning, and was asked what mine would be, and I said a DC-7C, and was asked how much it would cost and I said I didn’t know. How much would a vip-interior configured DC-7C cost not only to buy, but also run between London and New York.
By: Fleet Shadower - 16th January 2008 at 10:46
How far can I go for 5000 airmiles…………!!!!!!
Planemike
As far as your front door!!!!!!!!!!
By: Arabella-Cox - 15th January 2008 at 23:43
How far can I go for 5000 airmiles…………!!!!!!
Planemike
By: keithnewsome - 14th January 2008 at 23:07
Yes go on just buy it ! would guarantee to be your first freebie passenger.
By: David Burke - 14th January 2008 at 22:49
Buy the ex BOAC fire bomber in Spain for peanuts
By: cloudmaster - 14th January 2008 at 22:44
The DC-7 was not a great machine in the end, and the -C least of all. Unfortunately the engines were not fantastically reliable and with 100LL cannot be run at design power. I’m told a DC-6A or B actually has a better useful load as a result.
Now if you went for a DC-6 in VIP config I guess your talking about $250000 to buy it. Then around $30M for a full refurb, $10000 per hour to run it, a minimum of $50000 per year to insure, about $200000 to maintain and then there’s the crew… Ouch!
By: J Boyle - 14th January 2008 at 17:45
Not to mention crew costs…not many guys out there with DC-7 type ratings.
Or mechanics familiar with the type…
Also wonder what AV Gas costs in Iceland? (in case you need a fuel stop westbound).
Good news, there’s good food (especially ice cream) and nice people at Gander airport, a real holdover from the sunset of piston trans-Atlantic days.
The building and decor is wonderfully late 50’s modern, complete with a plaque from it being dedicated by HRH QE II back in 59 or so.
By: BlueRobin - 14th January 2008 at 17:30
Then how much to certify, insurance, maintain and park the thing. Not to mention the landing and approach fees. Figure on adding another 67%. 😮
By: Tillerman - 14th January 2008 at 17:14
I really have no idea myself, but you can try to get an answer from the owners of this one:
http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/N777EA.html
Picture of the VIP interior of this great ex-KLM machine, I think it will suit your needs:
http://www.ruudleeuw.com/dc7-n777ea-duis-04.jpg
Good luck!
Tillerman.
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January 14, 2008 at 4:01 pm