The ATL-98 Carvair

<p> The ATL-98 Carvair is a truly unusual aircraft. Converted from 19 C-54 World War II transport planes and two DC-4 airliners into a small fleet of air ferries by Aviation Traders of Southend England the Carvair allowed commercial air passengers to accompany their automobiles onboard the aircraft. The planes were dispersed throughout the world operating for 75 airlines and transporting cars royalty rock groups refugees whales rockets military vehicles gold and even nuclear material. After more than 45 years two Carvairs were in 2008 still in service.</p><p> This comprehensive history of the ATL-98 Carvair begins with corporate histories and profiles of key players including William Patterson Donald Douglas and Freddie Laker. Four chapters illustrate the evolution of the car-ferry as a viable aircraft the history of Aviation Traders engineering details incorporated into the Carvair's production and major Carvair operators. Chapters on each of the fleet's 21 planes provide individual histories and anecdotes. Seven appendices provide several kinds of data and the book is fully indexed.</p>