Martin 4-O-4 Skyliner ….. Fast Facts
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The Martin 4-O-4 was the first truly “modern” airliner with a pressurized cabin.
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Designed to be a replacement for the Douglas DC-3, the Martin Skyliner was the first post-war airliner design to reach production.
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In all 103 were 4-O-4s were built by Glenn L. Martin Company between 1951 and 1953, at its Middle River Plant in Maryland.
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Eastern Airlines had the largest fleet, with 60. The Martins of Eastern Airlines were primarily deployed along their eastern seaboard routs, and in Florida.
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TWA operated 40 of the 4-O-4s.
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Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, and the Doobie Brothers each used modified Martin 4-O-4s. Sinatra’s plane had a lounge area with a piano, a curved bar, a bedroom, and for night flights, an artificial moon and twinkling stars built into the ceiling. The exterior was pink with brown trim.
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Visitors to the museum often remark how much more leg room the passengers of a 4-O-4 enjoyed compared to a modern jet airliner.
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The museum’s Skyliner (S/n 14233/ N485A) has a manufacture date of October 15, 1952. After its service with Eastern Airlines, the registration was changed to its current N259S.
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It was delivered to Eastern Airlines on November 4, 1952.
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In 2000 Mr. Manfred Leuthard of Classic Airways, agreed to donate his 4-O-4 to the museum. In turn, the museum covered the expenses of flying the 4-O-4 cross country; $30,000 was raised in four months for this flight. The arrival was covered by local TV and newspapers.