Douglas DC-6/DC-7 based AEW Proposals

[Triton]

Factory concept model of Douglas Skysentry found on eBay.

Seller's description:

This auction is for a factory concept model from Douglas of the Sky Sentry. This was the Douglas counter-proposal to the radar "Connie" from Lockheed. It's an in-house wood model, with all original paint and markings. It has age-related stress cracks, common to all wood models that are over 55 years old. It has a small chip on the right wing pod and the radar dome. The plane itself has never had any restoration or repair and it's 100% original. The stand is 100% original with the original felt on the bottom and a reproduction logo, but has been repainted (These stands usually had a black paint textured finish). All props and spinners are made of metal and intact, they were recast from an original set. According to the friend collector who had sold me the model, this one probably came from the Douglas Museum sale back in the early 1990's and Douglas only made 15 of these models, this is number 11. It is highly unlikely that you'll see another one of these for sale. I hate to part with this beautiful and rare aircraft but I am letting it go due to limited space while currently working overseas (plus I want to concentrate on my helicopter collection!). Free shipping to the US and Europe.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Douglas-Factory-Concept-model-Sky-Sentry_W0QQitemZ250547491071QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3a55cb50ff

 

[Stargazer]

Fascinating stuff. Never heard of that one... Lucky guy who can afford to buy it!

 

[Triton]

Does anyone know if the Douglas Skysentry was based on the Douglas DC-7 airliner?

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

DC-6, according to the Lockheed Putnam. Currently $510 but still not met reserve....

 

[frank]

Even tho it's supposed to be DC-6 based, it looks like a fair chunk of the DC-7D design is in it, such as the tail & engines.

Does anyone know if the Douglas Skysentry was based on the Douglas DC-7 airliner?

 

[Steve Pace]

Douglas model number?...

 

[circle-5]

For reference, the SkySentry was a development of the Douglas Model 1863 (see attached photo), which was derived from the DC-7C airliner. It would make sense if the SkySentry made use of the DC-7D airframe, with its similar turboprop powerplants, but if Putnam says DC-6, then I won't question it. Is that a tail gunner on the SkySentry?

 

[circle-5]

Also for reference, here is a factory model of the DC-7D airliner (Douglas Model DS-1848). No tail gunner on this one.

 

[frank]

One of the above pics also appears to show the widened wing center section of the DC-7C. I reckon the DC-7D used the widened center section of the C.

Also for reference, here is a factory model of the Douglas DC-7D airliner. No tail gunner on this one.

 

[Maveric]

You have technical informations about the SkySentry (powerplant, dimensions and others)?

 

[circle-5]

One of the above pics also appears to show the widened wing center section of the DC-7C. I reckon the DC-7D used the widened center section of the C.

This 3-View drawing answers your question.

 

[Triton]

Thank you circle-5 for your contribution of drawings and model photographs.

 

[Maveric]

Thanx circle-5!!!!

 

[Helodriver]

There is another...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Douglas-Factory-Proposal-Model-DC-7-SkySentry-original-stand-and-props-/270906136910?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1343994e

 

[Stargazer]

Beautiful!! I've extracted the pics for those who want to save them...

 

[Pioneer]

Wow great find gents

Keep them coming!!!

Regards
Pioneer

 

[circle-5]

Here's a better photo of the Douglas Model 1863 AEW, along with its 3-view drawing.
Note to moderator: the 1863 is not the same as the SkySentry. Split topic? Rename? You decide.

 

[Rickshaw]

Interesting merging of radomes there. I assume the tall one is for a height finding radar separate to the range finding set in the wide radome?

 

[hesham]

Wow,amazing project my dear Circle-5.

 

[Jemiba]

I assume the tall one is for a height finding radar separate to the range finding set in the wide radome?

Principally the same as on the EC-121 Warning Star, I think, just with the search radar (AN/APS 95 here
too ?) moved to a dorsal position.

 

[circle-5]

Is this title ok ?

Sure, that'll work. Thank you.

 

[circle-5]

The Douglas 1863 proposal model is a large, metal, one-of-a-kind display piece. It had been separated from its original stand since the horribly-organized 1990s auction of the Douglas collection. After much searching, I was able to locate the lost stand in Kivik, Sweden. Many thanks to Thomas Rosenqvist (former president of Transwede and SAS charter division Premiair) for recently hand-delivering this unique stand all the way to Los Angeles.