Now, that plane he would have taken had a cruising speed of 220 m.p.h. and a range of about 2,300 miles. The air distance between NY and LA is about 2,450 miles so the plane would have needed to stop at least once to refuel.
Hate to be nit picking but.......
[edit] Specifications (L-1049G)
Data from Great Aircraft of the World[7], and Quest for Performance[8]
General characteristics
Crew: 5 flight crew, varying cabin crew
Capacity: typically 62-95 passengers, up to 109 could be seated
Length: 116 ft 2 in (35.42 m)
Wingspan: 126 ft 2 in (38.47 m)
Height: 24 ft 9 in (7.54 m)
Wing area: 1,654 ft² (153.7 m²)
Empty weight: 79,700 lb (36,150 kg)
Useful load: 65,300 lb (29,620 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 137,500 lb (62,370kg)
Powerplant: 4× Wright R-3350-DA3 Turbo Compound 18-cylinder supercharged radial engines, 3,250 hp (2,424 kW) each
Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0211
Drag area: 34.82 ft² (3.23 m²)
Aspect ratio: 9.17
Performance
Maximum speed: 380 mph (330 kt, 610 km/h)
Cruise speed: 354 mph (310 kt, 570 km/h) at 22,600 ft (6,890 m) Stall speed: 100 mph (87 kt, 160 km/h)
Range: 5,400 mi (4,700 nm, 8,700 km)
