DC-7B N836D Restoration

[connieman]

Former Eastern Airlines DC-7B N836D was stored, in deteriorating condition, at St Paul-Downtown Airport since the early 1970’s. In early 2004 the aircraft was sold to Carlos Gomez and his partner Marc Wolff operating as Legendary Airliners. After being made airworthy, the aircraft was ferried to Opa-locka, FL for restoration. Four years later the aircraft is nearing completion and hopefully will be flying soon. Here’s some links to photos I have taken over the past four years.
Ralph M. Pettersen
June 2004 Photos
February 2005 Photos
June 2006 Photos
January 2008 Photos

[b29flteng]

I did some work on that DC-7 back in the mid 70s while it was at STP. I worked at an FBO there and the owner had us change a nose wheel steering cable. Every once in awhile he would have us pump about 50 gallons of avgas into her and bring the power cart down and would run the engines for about 15 minutes. I did see him taxi it once too. Going through the cabin was like going through a museum. The cabin and seats looked like it was ready for passengers. Keep the photos coming.

[tom d. friedman]

some pics of that bird are in the current issue of air classics. sweet restoration

A new website has some updated information on the progress of the restoration project of the Eastern Air Lines DC-7B. No word in there on when the actual first flight is planned, but hopefully it is not far away.

http://sites.google.com/site/historical ... oundation/

Look forward to seeing this beautiful vintage airliner at an air show in 2009.........

[N3Njeff]

To update you all, she had her gear retraction tests on Dec 8!

[Canso42]

The slideshow is great and the whole effort is awesome! I tip my greasy museum hat to those guys.
Doug

The DC-7B has begun high speed taxi tests in preparation for the first flight.

http://sites.google.com/site/historical ... oundation/

It's exciting to see that progress is being made with this beauty. Can't wait to see her back in the air again.

The Historical Flight Foundation's restored EAL DC-7B has flown. Wish them the best and look forward to seeing it on the air show circuit soon.

http://www.historicalflightfoundation.com/Home

[b29flteng]

Woo Hoo

[bdk]

First flight video here: http://www.youtube.com/user/douglasprops

Just wanted to say that this beautiful airplane has made a great start on the air show circuit where it has been showcased at EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh the last week in July and this weekend in Ypsilanti, Michigan at Thunder Over Michigan.

I was privileged to see it fly at Oshkosh on July 29 and at Thunder Over Michigan on August 7. I wish I could have taken one of the $300 One hour flights. Maybe one of these days.

Congratulations to the Historical Flight Foundation.

I logged a couple of trips on the DC-7B ATL-MCO in the early 1960's. One was Eastern's and the other was Delta.

Walt

I remember seeing an Eastern Air Lines DC-7B at Philadelphia International Airport in April 1964. It had the next paint scheme that followed the original EAL one now on the HFF aircraft (The best looking one in my opinion). The one I saw in 1964 was the final "Fly Eastern" paint scheme that proceeded the blue "Hockey Stick" markings that were applied in the 1964/1965 time frame (the worst markings IMHO).

The HFF has updated their website with a very interesting video of one of their flights from Teterboro, NJ:

http://www.historicalflightfoundation.com/Home

The DC-7B is a beautiful sight and sound!

There is a multi-day trip planned for May this year according to the HFF website:

http://www.historicalflightfoundation.com/

It's a little too pricey for me, but it does look interesting. I hope to see the big Douglas at an air show somewhere this year and maybe get one of those $300 rides.

[K5DH]

Here's a link to a 10-minute video of their trip from Opa Locka to Sint Maarten via San Juan. Airplane p o r n . . .

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