Eastern Air Lines "Golden Falcon" N836D

CLICK HERE for UPDATE PAGE - NEW PICTURES and text (restoration progress report) is now on the page Legendary Airliners LLC home page is to be shut down shortly. New Address is http://www.historicalflightfoundation.com/

CLICK ON THIS LINK for pix - earlier story.
http://www.conniesurvivors.com/1-n836d_jan08.htm#top

Earlier photos of 7B by Roger Jarman - Atlantic Models - Click on Update link above for most recent pix.

Ralph Pettersen report - Feb '05 http://conniesurvivors.com/1-n836d_feb05_article.htm

Restoration underway Restoration is proceeding at this time. Mostly volunteers and a group of students from Miramar HS. Contact Legendary, via email or phone, if you you would like to support the effort. Info is on their webpage. Aircraft is at the airport in Opa-Lacka, FL 7/26/05

Long time resident leaves St Paul

"Bye 'Bye

The DC 7B Golden Falcon departed Holman Field, St Paul on Sat. Aug 7, 2004 at 1452 hrs. (2:52 pm. CDT).

Sat Aug 7 - 1950 hrs (7:50 EDT) 836 Delta landed at Peachtree-DeKalb (PDK) after 4 hr flight from St Paul, MN

The aircraft departed PDK on Sunday, Aug 8th at around 4 pm local time and arrived at Opa-Locka 7ish. Do to a low overcast the flight was vectored to a course that took it down the east coast of Florida, below Orlando, at near 500' MSL and at a speed of about 250. Departure from PDK was a must for Sunday because the ferry permit expired at 2400 hrs. The permit was for daylight VFR.

Check www.legendaryairliners.com for updates

Request for information - Bill Hirsch and I are trying to gather info concerning the EAL DC 7 fleet. We would like to receive photos, other than those found in already published books and those found on Post Cards. Email attachments will work. We would also like to hear from Pilots, F/0 and FEs who logged fights with Numbers higher than 850. Send to SaveEADC7BN836D@webtv.net.

NEWS and UPDATES 836D is OK. No damage from the hurricanes, so far. The interior has been removed. The aircraft will remain in ferry condition until hurricane season winds down. N381AA was made flyable just hours ahead of a hurricane and ferried to Opa-Locka. Marc Wolff reports that metal work has started on 836D. 10/30/04 ________________________________________________________________________ Hey guys, The aircraft is parked at Miami Executive in Opa Locka. We have already contracted a company to begin metal work on the "skin" beginning in September. (Work was been delayed due to hurricane season, however, the metal work has now begun.) On Saturday (Aug. 28) at 7:30 a.m. we began removing seats for the interior work to begin as well. Everyone is welcome. Coffee and doughnuts will be available for the early birds. Lastly, I would like to welcome Kerry Hackney to our group of helpers. Hope to see you there. MW

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Volunteers are needed to help with the restoration. If you want to volunteer get in touch with Legendary at 786-377-7701, fax 786-377-7702 or office@legendaryairliners.com. To former EAL'ers - Show 'em that you can still get the job done. Those people who helped in St Paul thought it was a very rewarding experience. How about you?

From Jim Holder -   Today was a great day! We got to return to the "distant past" bigtime by going to PDK (local Atlanta airport) and crawling into a plane that Eastern operated from 1958 to the middle 60's... That being N836D which flew for the first time in 32 years  when Legendary Airliners Chief Pilot Frank Moss and his crew brought her down from St. Paul, MN arriving late yesterday afternoon. My visit to the cockpit brought back a flood of memories as my last flight in this very airplane was on January 30, 1964, from Miami to Chicago's O'Hare airport with several stops. Am I really that old?   A very nice crowd of Eastern folks were on hand to meet the crew and owner... As well as others who flew up from her future home in Florida, where she headed. Since the Ferry Permit expires today they were unable to remain in Atlanta past about 4 PM as the flight has to be completed in daylight hours.   On hand to see their old friend were many Eastern Pilots including Johnny Johnson, Gib Geurin, Jim Slocum, Dwight Sheftall (who knew she was there for sure as they came right over his patio last evening), Phil Hutchinson, Paul Kelley, Jack Van Ness, Johnny Steinmetz, Tom Hackley, Don Kasten and Jerry Frost.    Also some former Eastern Flight Attendants and an Agent showed up in their uniforms.. Pictured in one of the attached photos are L-R: Jeanne Smith, Carol Kissel, Jerri Johnson and Prisella McDougal. Also pictured in the Captain's seat is another former DC-7 Captain, Gib Geurin!   Pictured in another photo are the crew and owners of N836D... L-R are Co-pilot Saddy Barraza, F/E and co-owner Carlos Gomez, co-owner/President/CEO Marc Wolff and Captain Frank Moss.   And the ones selected, of the 33 taken, to show the old Gal shows her sitting proudly on Runway 09 at PDK.. Ready to head to her new home in Florida!   Jim Holder

Taxiing prior to departure from PDK - Photo from Dick Borelli

From Jim Holder I went out to the airport at noon and met everyone.. About 100 folks showed up including 4 EAL F/A or Agents in their old 1950s uniforms... I was interviewed by some fellow from FL in the cockpit with the Real Captain, Frank Moss (as they learned I had last flown the plane on January 30, 1964, over 40 years ago). Think he is doing some documentary on the 836. I forgot his name but his parents live about 2 miles from me here in Conyers. Local Ch 5 (Fox) was there and is to be on the news tonight. Turns out anyone who was brave enough was allowed to climb the vertical metal ladder up to the rear entrance door and had free run of the aircraft inside.... I saw old ladies and 85 year old EAL Captains go up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lots of photos taken inside and out as seemed everyone had a camera! I will try to put some on the internet later this evening.. I was told that the Ferry Permit is for Day VFR only and expires today.. So they have to depart this evening... Frank gave me a lot of brochures and I will pass them out at our Monthly REPA Luncheon Tuesday... Many golf shirts, T-shirts (I bought one), caps and such were sold to raise money for the effort...Jim

From Jim Holder I must say that today was a smash hit!!! You should have seen those old ladies (and me) climbing that ladder!!! Wild Horses could not.......... Well ,, You got the picture!

From Jason Meyer in St Paul WOW Carlos! What a site!  I want to first of all say thanks for letting me be a part of the project.   To see 836D get airborne again was enough to justify everything I've put into aviation...whether it be my 11 yrs working in the industry, or the time and $ I have spent on my airline related hobbies. It's hard to describe the feeling of having a part in this (no matter how small it may have been) especially to a friend who is not an airplane buff. That person may have no idea the effects on me and the others involved, and the tingle it gave me as the DC7 roared by and took flight. I've watched that airplane dodge flood waters and people who thought it was an eyesore and wanted her gone. Listened to those who said it was a lost cause and wouldn't even make a good beer can.... Then along came Carlos.......many locals at STP, without the passion,  thought he was "wack job"  I was hopeful...and a believer after meeting him. To all us that bled, sweat, cussed, laughed, smiled, frowned, survived Go-Go, and shed a tear as she left........Cheers!  To my old friends and new one's... Carlos, Mike, Greg, John, Martin, Darin, Larry, Frank, and everyone else....thanks! I know you feel the same. I tried to keep calm with my trigger finger on the Nikon, but feeling her rumble by and watching through the lense was too much, I went through 36 shots like that, with the last one being a great over the shoulder shot that is burned in my memory forever! I know for all that were involved and all that saw that same image I did, they are at least feeling a little of what I am..... still now, a couple of days later. I can't wait to see what the next stage of the resto will bring.....One thing I do know, I will be leaving my tools at home the next time I visit south Florida! Thanks everybody!   Jason Meyer Volunteer @ STP DC7B Project   Reply from Carlos - Dear Jason, I started this project with a dream, and it was everyone one of you guys that helped make this dream come true. At the end of the day I'm just a leader and thank GOD that I had a few followers.It's tuff to run a village with out any indians.Without you guys this would of been very difficult. One thing is for sure, the feelings that you experienced on Saturday, you will alway remember, I know, I have done this before and every single time it is special. It's only special because of all of you. I can only hope that one day we just might be able to do this again, who knows. I would like to thank, from the bottom of my Heart, each and eveyone of you for making, what seemed to be impossible at times, come true. If you would only believe in yourself, nothing would be impossible. I now leave you with an experience that you will never forget, nor will I. Your Friend For Ever, Carlos Gomez

Excerpted from an Email from Chris Stageberg - St Paul After seeing how well it flew I didn't feel much worry about their safety, but I have felt concerned about their trip and not wanting to bother Carlos I am very thankful you took the trouble to call me and let me know. Thanks very much! Last night I worked in the plane til midnight (Fri) in fact and yes actually I feel sad it is gone now, somewhat like loosing an old friend and the great time I have been privileged to have working with these great people. Thanks, Chris Stageberg Editors note - Chris had parked his Piper next to N836D for quite a few years. He is pictured below

11 PIX from St. Paul of restoration to flight work. 26 additional pix can be clicked to at the end of the string and more at www.conniesurvivors.com/1-n836d_jun04_article.htm

Photos by Greg Drawbaugh with help from Minnesota Safety Patrol.

Click here for more June 2004 pics by Greg Drawbaugh, Ralph Pettersen and selected July pics by Chris Stageberg.

Click here for additional pictures

If there is anything you want to know about Eastern Air Lines and cannot find contact Bill Hirsch at EALB727@aol.com or FleetNewsOne@goes.com

Located at Mojave, CA

Delivered to EAL on 02/19/60. Sold to Concare Aircraft Leasing on 09/07/73. Leased to Air Haiti Airlines on 10/15/73. Returned to Concare Aircraft Leasing in 12/73. Sold to American Jet Industries on 07/04/77. Withdrawn from use and stored at Mojave, California in 11/77. N8604 was broken up 1978. As of July 15, 2001 the main part of fuselage is still sitting on the ground. Nose section was cut off in 1978 at the point of the bulkhead that separated the First Class section from the Coach section. First Class section is still intact with seats and overhead racks. Cockpit is still basicly intact except for a few instruments and radios that were removed. Nose section has been moved to the LOST BIRDS AVIATION SOCIETY storage area and stored for Bill Hirsch and the EASTERN AIRLINES HISTORICAL FOUNDATION INC. Aircraft nose to be painted in "Golden Falcon" livery. The fuselage, after the wing, minus the control surfaces, has also been acquired. The cabin interior is complete. The fuselage has also been transported to LOST BIRDS. Future plans are to attach the fuselage to the nose, mount it on a trailer, be able to power-up the unit and to make
it available for display.

A DC 8 flight manual is available It was used by Capt. Dick Sollner. Capt Sollner just complete his 2nd flight around the world in a GA aircraft - Contact Webmaster at SaveEADC7BN836D@webtv.net

What's this and where is it? Reply to SaveEADC7BN836D@webtv.net. If you have replied and not received an answer please resend.