LATEST FROM OPA-LOCKA Carlos Gomez's freighters (DC6 and DC4) are engaged in charter work flying supplies into Haiti. There maybe more DC's in the future. Go to HFF webpage for info and click to pics from the island. Carlos will return to work on N836D as soon as possible. As of today, Feb. 5, paper work has not arrived from the FAA. It is supposed to have come in Jan.

September 8, 2009 Still in a holding pattern, waiting for the FAA to approve our application.  We've been "tinkering" for the past several weeks, readying everything for the moment when we finally get the good word!  Radios are going in, engines are getting tweaked and re-tweaked - lots of little details to take care while we wait.  Keep checking back (HFF Home Page) more exciting news is just over the horizon!

ALL ENGINES RUNNING - July 11, 2009
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwNmXIVTTIw

Engine Starts - #2 and #3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Lpenjp5-Fs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_wiYHJN-Zc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfMbh32pN9o

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

Now taking orders for 2010 Eastern Air Lines calendar Order form for 2010 EAL Calendar - Scroll to bottom of page and click to page 2

Click on the address below for more pics of the "7" and pics of the hanger where the SFHM may be located. http://airchive.com/html/museums/1/historical-flight-foundation-douglas-dc-7/367

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

NOTICE The interest about the aircraft and the "Roll Out" date is HIGH. A response email address will be created to try and get a handle on how many people expect to attend the event. Please watch the page if you are not on the mailing list. To be added to the list send email request to eastern_dc7b2@verizon.net

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@verizon.net Web page telephone in NW (Hackettstown) NJ USA 908-852-3869