EAL DC 7B N836D

Aircraft landing at Punta Gorda, FL on 3/26/11. Photo by Brian Grant

LATEST from HFF From the Historical Flight Foundation Home Page: The Sullenberger / Skiles flight to Charlotte was amazing - as the return flight got off the ground, the pilots lost oil pressure in the #3 engine and it had to be shut down. The plane turned and landed back in Charlotte safely on 3 engines and all passengers and crew exited the airplane without incident. The airplane will remain in Charlotte temporarily while we arrange repairs. Thanks to everyone involved for your unwavering support - especially Captain Sullenberger and Jeff Skiles, the Carolinas Aviation Museum, and our passengers. Dec. 3 - Local flight out of Opa-locka **FULLY BOOKED** Jan. 14 - Local flight out of Opa-locka. (BOOK SEAT - Members Only)

On Appoach and Landing at St Maarten

St. Maarten photos by Daniel Jef


Additonal photos (including the 3 above) from the St Maarten trip can be found at  
http://community-2.webtv.net/DC7B2/EasternDC7BPictures/

VIDEO trailer (teaser) about St. Maarten chartered trip in Spring of 2011. 10 or so minutes. Worth the effort!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhaKU2FYf9U

DC 7B in Pan Am livery (briefly) for ABCTV program Pan Am

FIRST EPISODE HAS AIRED.

At least, WATCH the VIDEOS (Teterboro "Fly in a Vintage Airliner - DC7" and Opa flights) before YOU Depart from the Page. I'm the old dude at 1:30 on the Teterboro flight.

There is a (SOLD OUT) sightseeing flight on Dec. 3rd from OPA. Some seats have been sold to people coming from across the pond.

The "7" may winter at a site other than Opa-Locka.

Picture location unknown to me.

In 1999 ex-Eastern employees Bill Hirsch and Vito Borelli visited St Paul for a look-see of the aircraft. After the visit they started an effort to save it from the scrappers. I came onboard in 2001 to help fellow MAAM member Bill and his friend Vito in their cause.
This site/page was started in late Nov. 2004 after the original page got too big and a second page was needed. This page is quite lengthy and requires time and patience to peruse.
I made a reservation and had a flight aboard the aircraft when it was at Teterboro. Please watch the Video.

OLD NEWS - The DC7B did it's first sightseeing flight from OPF on Sat. Aug 28. HFF membership has its privileges! Members will receive a special code for 10% off all purchases, including flights.  (Click here to request your code!) Also, Members will be eligible for 1 free 1-hour flight!  VIDEO FROM FLIGHTS AT TETERBORO AIRPORT, NJ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYM9zZBQkcc&feature=player_embedded B727-200 escape chutes installed and tested. http://www.youtube.com/user/douglasprops#p/u/7/YZktffxEIzc http://www.youtube.com/user/douglasprops#p/u/6/SjnTxgleA4g http://sites.google.com/site/historicalflightfoundation/ Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N836D   APPROVED FOR FLIGHT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   CHECK HISTORICAL FLIGHT FOUNDATION WEBPAGE FOR AIR SHOW TRIPS FAA grants exemption to Historical Flight Foundation   March 23, 2010   In part "The FAA finds that a grant of exemption would be in the public interest and would provide an equivalent level of safety to that provided by current regulation."   The HFF is unique in that its Douglas Aircraft Co. DC-7B aircraft represents the only U.S. based, four engine, passenger prop-liner in operation today. With the advent of jet aircraft, most of the DC-7B aircraft disappeared from commercial airline service by the early 1970's. The majority of the DC-7 were simply scrapped as they were seen as being un-economical to operate. In this unique case, the aircraft being operated by the HFF was still in its original passenger configuration as delivered to Eastern Air Lines in January 1958. Of the 112 DC-7 aircraft produced, this is the only surviving passenger configuration aircraft.   Signed: John W. McGraw, Acting Director, Flight Standards Service   The HFF sincerely appreciates the great effort on the part of the FAA to promote the living history program it has been approved for. The HFF is an IRS certified 501(c)(3) not for profit organization. The airplane will be touring the continental USA in the years ahead creating a passion for aviation not seen for a long time.We will be taking reservations deposits on a first come first served basis. Contact the HFF for details.   Sincerely,   Roger Jarman, Secretary now President Historical Flight Foundation, Inc. Miami, Florida

Historical Flight Foundation webpage http://www.historicalflightfoundation.com/

EASTERN to FLY Again!

Dear fellow Eastern colleagues ,   I am very pleased to report that our investor group has concluded a deal with the Eastern Airlines estate to acquire the name, trademarks and affiliate names (including Eastern Express and Eastern Shuttle) for the purpose of re-starting the airline as a scheduled airline.   We have developed  a business plan for the re-start of Eastern which leverages off of Eastern's core strengths while using all of the lessons we have learned from all of the start up airlines and the restructuring of all of the legacy carriers over the past 18 years.   We also expect to break new ground with contracts with the new Eastern's crew members and a stock ownership plan that will completely align everyones interest in the new company.   One of Eastern's greatest assets was its people, and we have formed an advisory group with volunteer representatives from marketing, sales, in-flight, facilities, maintenance, and ops. We want to retain the creativity, energy and vision that epitomized the Eastern that flew for over 70 years, and created the Shuttle, System One and countless other innovations.   We believe firmly in the strength of our heritage and the first aircraft will be painted in the colors that we all loved and named in honor of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker. The new livery will honor that legacy and will be updated to reflect  the new Eastern of the 21st century.   The task ahead is not easy- our plan to acquire 30 new Airbus aircraft and reach sustainable profitability will require a great deal of work and money. The reception we have received from the investment community has been excellent and we remain confident of our ability to complete the funding which will allow us to start the re-certification of Eastern with the FAA and DOT.  We have great support from the local political community, the new administration in Washington, and many of the key vendors and suppliers we will need to resume flight operations and succeed.   I want to thank each of you for your efforts not only while Eastern was in operation, but also in the years since 1991 in keeping the name and the history alive. We believe in the power of the brand, and I commit to you that we will always treat it with the great respect that it deserves.  I will keep you all updated on our progress and as we roll out the plan and as we do that, our team wants and needs your best ideas and encouragement.   Respectfully,   Ed Wegel   Any Questions?  Contact Bill Hirsch - ealb727@aol.com

CLICK HERE for UPDATE PAGE #2 -
Contact US @ eastern_dc7b2@verizon.net

12/08/08

1. It should be ready for test flights in April.   2. We are planning a great inaugural flight that will include, OPF, MIA, TPA, PIE, and back to OPF. More details to follow in the near future.   3. Milestones of major components: a. Overhauled engines installed. b. Overhauled props installed. c. New/repaired, or replaced over 70% of fuselage sheet metal. d. New outer wings (outboard of engines) installed. e. Overhauled ailerons installed. f. New rigging of all control cables, including nose wheel steering. g. Strip out interior of seats, liners, and support electrical. h. Repair or replace interior fuselage stringers as needed, and prime paint. i.  Installing new fuselage center ceiling rack for installation of cabin lighting, and speakers. j. Installing 2 lavs in forward fuselage. k. Overhaul/repair, or replace main flap hardware. l. Tune tail skid to specifications. m. Replacing all windows, 80% complete. n. Overhaul, test fuel cells. o. Repair/replace wiring as needed. p. Strip paint, sand wings, and fuselage and paint in the original Eastern Air Lines livery.   They say that the first 95% of this project is the easiest to get to, and we believe that is correct. There are lots of little details in order to finalize the plane and make it ready for the flight test. We will be doing updates more often, and more detail than previously done to  as we enter the final stage. Stay tuned!

TO ALL EASTERN AIRLINES FLIGHT ATTENDANTS Over the last couple of years we have been restoring an original Eastern Air Lines Douglas DC-7B registration number N836D. We are rapidly reaching the completion of this Historical project. At this time we are reaching out to all Eastern Air Lines Flight Attendants for their help.   In 2009 the world famous Eastern Air Lines "DUCKHAWK" will take to the sky once again. It is our intention to use only former EAL Flight Attendants on board this aircraft. We need your help to cover these flights. The time is drawing near so do not delay. Contact the New Eastern Air Lines Crew Scheduling Manager for all the details and arrangements.   Contact:       Bill Hirsch                     Eastern Air Lines, Inc., Representative                     Legendary Airliners, LLC., Sr. Manager                     Cell Phone # 516 - 236 - 7364                     Home Phone # 516 - 223 - 3211                     Email     EALB727@aol.com

Click link below for Main Page and Earlier info and stories of return to flight and ferry flight from St. Paul, MN in 2004 http://community-2.webtv.net/SaveEADC7BN836D/EASTERNAIRLINESDC7B

New 9/08/08

3 Photos by Roger Jarman, Atlantic Models-Miami,FL., on March 6, 2008

CLICK ON THIS LINK - Ralph Pettersen's "Connie Survivors" for pix and story from Jan. 2008.

http://www.conniesurvivors.com/1-n836d_jan08.htm#top

The photos on this website were made available 10 and 11/07

Published previously Hello Bill,     Just got back from a visit to Opa Locka.  Carlos has at least six sheet metal mechanics working on the airplane and they have just about finished the left side.  They will start working on the right side soon.  Although Carlos wasn't there, I spoke at length to his father Martin and there is still lots of work to be done on the airplane.  The wings are installed and they were getting ready to put the wingtips on during my visit.  They will probably replace the horizontal stabilizers with ones salvaged from AZ.  I've attached a photo from my visit and feel free to put it on your website if you like. Regards, Ralph Petterson

Photo - 6/9/06

May, 2006 - Outer wings have been replaced and aircraft will be made flyable so that it can be moved to safe location if a hurricane heads for Opa-Locka. June 2006 - Latest info I have is that #2 and #3 engines have been installed.

Restoration Update  January  2006 Just prior to Thanksgiving 2005 we at Legendary Airliners were contacted by International Air Response in Chandler, Arizona that they were retiring one of their DC-7B Fire Bombers. They informed us that instead of just scrapping the aircraft they would donate any parts that we wanted for the restoration on our Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N836D. An agreement was reached for the donation of parts in cooperation and agreement with the Eastern Airlines Historical Foundation. The aircraft was disassembled by Carlos Gomez and the parts were crated up and shipped to Legendary Airliners at Opa Locka Airport. Upon arrival the parts were inspected and appraised by a Certified Aircraft Appraiser at a donation value of over $60,000.00. This is the first of two large aircraft donations. This donation will further insure the Eastern Air Lines DC-7B reconstruction. It will also shorten the amount of time needed to fully restore the aircraft back to original flying condition. Now that the hurricane season has past the restoration work is back into full swing and progress is at a steady pace again. William L. Hirsch Eastern Air Lines Sr. Manager: Legendary Airliners LLC

DC-7B SURVIVES WILMA     On Oct 21 S. Florida was preparing for a direct hit from the Gulf Coast to the East Coast by Hurricane Wilma.  The hurricane was a Cat. 1, but by the time it hit the Gulf Coast it grew to a Cat. 3. While the West Coast was preparing for Wilma preparations were being made at Opa-Locka by Carlos Gomez and the Legendary Airliners crew to our Eastern Air Lines DC-7B N836D. Carlos knew that this was going to be a serious storm and that they had to do everything possible to protect the aircraft. The aircraft was strapped to the ground at every point possible. Five 55 gallon drums of water were placed in the nose section for extra weight, an ''A''  frame was places under the tail section to prevent the aircraft from sitting on it's tail during the storm. Carlos also covered both wings with sandbags for additional weight.   As I approached  Opa-Locka airport on Thursday morning Oct. 27 I had prepared myself for the worst after hearing about all the aircraft that had been damaged. Upon seeing all these damaged aircraft as I drove in the gate my heart had sunk to my stomach and I could only picture the worst scenario. But, to my surprise and excitement, I found that N836D had proudly stood her ground. On examination of the exterior I found that the only damage was that the small tail cone was bent and  two new pieces of outer skin, that had not been completely riveted down, had lifted up about 2 inches. There was no water damage inside the aircraft.   I met with Carlos and he informed me that restoration work was progressing well and that the following week work would be resumed. He has 5 men working 8 hours a day 5 days a week on the aircraft.   As I drove out on to the ramp seeing all the other aircraft I knew again the Eastrern N836D has been under some kind of mystical protective blanket for over some 33 years, knowing it would return to it's original Eastern Air Lines condition some day. For reasons unknown this aircraft is destined to proudly wear the Eastern Air Lines "DUCKHAWK" and preserve the Eastern leagcy by flying again.   William L. Hirsch, EAL Sr. Manager: Legendary Airliners LLC

To contact Bill Hirsch: EALB727@aol.com To contact web page: eastern_dc7b2@comcast.net Web page telephone in NW (Hackettstown) NJ USA 908-852-3869