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DC-7C
Dec 12, 2008 14:38:06 GMT -5
Post by aspen31 on Dec 12, 2008 14:38:06 GMT -5
About once a week in the late 60s a DC-7C (owned by Schreiner I think) would pass through the airport on it's way somewhere. I'm sure it was at the end of it's first service life and many problems showed up. A favorite was blowing oil over the top of the wing during the landing roll. Our crew would lift a 45 gallon barrel of solvent up to be nearly level and then all 5 or 6 of us would climb out on the wing with soaked rags for the clean up the mess. The passengers stayed aboard and I can still remember the incredulous faces staring out at us. No one knew anything about where to walk and what not to touch but I don't think anything bad ever happened -- accept perhaps a passenger or 2 disappeared into the terminal not to be seen again
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DC-7C
Dec 12, 2008 14:50:38 GMT -5
Post by Maarten on Dec 12, 2008 14:50:38 GMT -5
Hi Warren, The DC-7Cs didn't have a very long career with Schreiner Airways. Schreiner Airways was Netherlands' airline nr. 3 and was active for only a few years before having been mangled between KLM, Martinair Holland and the authorities. I think they went bust by the end of 1966 or the beginning of 1967. The career of a friend of mine as a pilot started on the DC-7C (before that he worked in his dad's greengrocer shop which by coincidence happened to be frequented by my auntie and uncle ). When I see this friend again I'll try to get him to tell me some more about his early days on the Seven. Could take a wee while, though. Cheers, Maarten
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DC-7C
Dec 12, 2008 15:25:15 GMT -5
Post by aspen31 on Dec 12, 2008 15:25:15 GMT -5
HI Maarten !967 would be a good bet. Even then the old girls were pretty rough. Sometimes they would arrive in the middle of the night -- everybody looking just fried. Usually the maintenance would be simple; just emptying the trash etc., but sometimes there would oil everywhere and it would take a while to clean. If I remember correctly Schreiner didn't pay for hotels etc., for the DC-7 crews and many times we would tow the aircraft to a parking spot and leave it for the night. The flight crew would stay on board. There were a couple of bunks but I think most of the folks just slept in the seats. Not much regard for duty days then I guess. All the best! Warren
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