Happy Thursday. Is it 2021 yet?
For your Thursday morning viewing pleasure, have a Martin 4-0-4 belonging to Outboard Marine, which I believe traces its history back to Ole Evinrude. This plane, photographed by the remarkable Bill Larkins in 1960 at San Francisco, started life in 1952 as Star of South Bend flying for TWA.
The 4-0-4 was an improvement over the earlier 2-0-2, which was an unpressurized competitor to the DC-3. But serious problems with the wing construction led to delays, and airlines wanted a pressurized airliner instead. The 4-0-4 received pressurization, more seats, and strengthened wings, and the type had a modestly successful career.
The 4-0-4 and the more common Convair CV-240 series (which includes the 240, 340, and 440) can be really hard to tell apart, if you’re into that sort of thing. On top is a CV-340 (C-131 Samaritan), with a Martin 4-0-4 below. The best place to look is at the tail. The Convair has a pointier tail, with the horizontal stabilizer centered on the fuselage, while the 4-0-4 sweeps up at the tail and the stabilizer sits more towards the top of the fuselage. Engine cowlings are also different.
