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Author
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Topic: Eastern Airlines DC7B
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Bob Ritchie
Post Captain
Member # 1035
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posted
Fabulous,
A group of former EAL employees have worked so very hard to restore a symbol of their lost airline.....with little personal recognition.
"They" claim that it is now the only 4 engine, propeller driven, piston powered airliner operating within the USA.
One of the central figures is a former EAL captain who recently resided in a STL suburb. and has earned his living as a G-V captain since the demise of EAL
Hopefully the " Save a Connie" TWA (actually former Slick Airways Cargo) aircraft will one day return to the skies. Both the Connie and DC-7 are beautiful machines that stir the soul.
Bob
Posts: 1733 | From: Warren County, Missouri
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Rocky Dollarhide
Post Captain
Member # 546
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posted
The G-V first flew in 1995 and was certified in 1997. First operational status was 1998. FYI
R$
Posts: 119 | From: Aberdeen Golf Club
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Bob Ritchie
Post Captain
Member # 1035
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posted
quote:
Originally posted by Rocky Dollarhide:
The G-V first flew in 1995 and was certified in 1997. First operational status was 1998. FYI
R$
EAL ceased operation on Jan. 18, 1991.
Since that time the above mentioned former EAL captain has flown a number of aircraft. In recent years he has been employed as a G-V captain.
Sorry if their was any confusion Rocky. ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
Bob
Posts: 1733 | From: Warren County, Missouri
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smilinjack
The Big Boss
Member # 7
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posted
That brings back memories....I have a little over 1200 hours as copilot in DC-7B/C's with Zantop Air Transport/Universal Airlines.
Thank You for that video.
Jack
Posts: 725 | From: Rancho Mirage, Ca.
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Robert Dedman
Post Captain
Member # 366
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posted
It was a very nice airplane, faster than the Connie. That was the era of "Douglas" DC series and they were some of the best aircraft built. Many are still around in lesser countries.
Posts: 271 | From: Virginia Beach, VA.
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Subsonic Transport
Post Captain
Member # 2139
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posted
I'm currently reading Robert Serlings book, "Howard Hughes' Airline". This is the best aviation book I've ever read.
I always knew in very general terms how TWA came to be. But never in the detail discussed in the book. I now understand what Transcontinental & Western Air really meant.
I just read through a chapter that discusses the Connies lack of speed as compared to the Douglas birds. On page 200 it says, "The Super G, perhaps the best all-around Constellation ever built......We tried everything to make it faster.....anything to reduce drag and make up that seven-minute bulge the DC-6B had, but just couldn't do it." Page 201: "Second, Hughes was disturbed over what the competition was flying; Douglas had developed the DC-7...."
[ 07-25-2010, 11:37: Message edited by: Subsonic Transport ]
Posts: 407 | From: Buffalo, NY
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extwacaptain
Prop Wash
Member # 381
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posted
FASTER BABY....FASTER!!
Well, one of our F/Es made those things go faster. How much faster, I don't know....only the pilots who flew with him can say.
The gentleman's name was: Bill "Meto" Brandes. He could make engines perform better than "the average". (When he wasn't flying the line for TWA, he could be found involved in things like the Mobile Economy Runs. He could perform the same magic with automobiles.)
Part of his secret...running the engine oil temperatures a little on the warmer side (still within limits). This supposedly allowed closing the cowl flaps a little tighter...reducing drag.
What else was in his bag of tricks, I don't know..However, I do know first-hand that although he could save fuel, he also knew when it was time "To ADD fuel". Mr. Hughes was reminded of this during a lengthy period of touch and go landings with one of our Connies.
That's an old story, but the happy ending being, Mr. Hughes requested Bill Brandes on subsequent training flights. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Posts: 892 | From: Encino, Ca. U.S.A.
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Capn Eddie Ricketyback
Post Captain
Member # 3010
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posted
quote:
Originally posted by Subsonic Transport:
I'm currently reading Robert Serlings book, "Howard Hughes' Airline".
I'm a proud owner of an inscribed copy of that book. So happened when I reported for a flight in STL one morning Serling was in the Ramp Office autographing copies of it, which had just been published. I'd never heard of him or the book but said whatthehell, why not buy a copy and have it autographed. Haven't opened it for so long I've forgotten everything in it. Guess it's time for a re-read.
Posts: 210 | From: South Carolina
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Subsonic Transport
Post Captain
Member # 2139
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posted
I purchased mine through Amazon. Used of course. But whoever owned it, took very good care of it. It's like new.
I actually know a little bit about the person who may have had it before me. As I was reading along, and turned the page, p182, a slip of paper fell out. Hmmm, I assumed it was a page marker. I looked at it and was quite surprised. It was actually a receipt.
Assuming that the receipt is from the purchasing of the book, it is dated 1-07-84. The cost of the book was 15.25. Tax was 86 cents for a total of 16.11. The person paid cash with a 20 dollar bill and received 3.89 in change.
Whoever this was, I hope the person got to read the whole thing.
I found reading a very good book twice is just as good as reading it for the first time. You will find things that you may have missed and/or [ahem] forgot and it will be like reading it for the first time.
Posts: 407 | From: Buffalo, NY
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Eastern Airlines first flight post restoration of DC7B, july 04th/2010 
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