Warbird Information Exchange

Interested? Absolutely!!! Able to? Hard to say.

Gary

While on the subject of Constellations, the Salina airplane would be a very nice "save" if possible. We happened to be documenting the remaining WWII buildings back around 1990 or so when we heard a 3350 fire up. I talked to one of the fellows working on it for a little bit and he told me of the plan to fly it to Texas.

I don't know who owns it today or what the plan is, but it was still parked on the north ramp three weeks ago and looks pretty good.

http://www.conniesurvivors.com/N1206.htm

I like it! Let's keep in communication about it. I'm going to schedule a flight to go see the airplane soon. Stay tuned.

Gary

Gary, if you end up working some sort fo a deal to ferry the aircraft I'm in for a weeks worth of food cooking, coffee running, wrench turning, forklift driving, parts running, parts washing, camping under the wing. Let me know.

Roger that, Ryan, but its waaaaaaay too early to make that kind of scheduling yet. I don't know how I'm gonna make this work, but I feel its important to at least try as hard as I can anyway.

Gary

I could pony up some money for you Gary! Anyone esle?

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Just like with the Catalina deal, I very much appreciate the offers of help! However, I need just a little time before I have a good plan. I promise y'all that I'll keep you posted should there be further developments.

Gary

You can do it Gary!

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What about the SAC Connie's engines? Could they be loaned out for the ferry project? Alternately, is there anything at Pima that has usable 3350 QECs?

Good luck, I hope you guys can save it, I have always hoped that this plane would eventually wind up in a good home.

Regards,

Art S.

It sure would be alot of fun.. It would go easier with a connie lead mechanic with experience on type to help out.. Could you get a stay of execution to get a little time to work things out?

John Travolta

hahaha..he should sell his 707 and fly around in a EC-121!

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Gary, I never worked on big pistons but what exactly locks up inside? Could it be just an accesory locked up keeping the engine from rotating?

I'm quite certain that Mr. Travolta's connie is the one in KLM markings in the Netherlands.

Well, during my phone conversation with the guy in charge of this bird, he explained to me that the "kids at the A&P school used to run it up and ran two of the engines through a hydraulic lock." I do know that at least one engine is seized up. My guess is that they broke a rod and it's wedged itself firmly in place. Just a guess though.

I've received several promising messages from folks who wish to help save this bird. There is certainly nothing in stone yet, and everything could just fall apart, but we're at least trying to make something good happen here. Stay tuned.

Gary