Not real sure of the
date, but I think it was a November 30, 1992 issue of FLAGSHIP NEWS that
mentioned the donation of a Curtis-Wright R3350/TC18 DC-7 engine which
was restored by the members of GOLDEN WINGS, an association of
American’s
Professional Flight Engineers. Marsh Stern started the project by
raising $35,000 through donations from American’s active and retired
flight engineers. The restoration was managed by Don Williams and Jim
Connaughton, a Phoenix based line mechanic. Because
none of American’s original DC-7Bs had survived, the organization
bought a similar engine from a later Sabena Airlines DC-7C and they
modified it to DC-7B standards. The last of American’s 58 DC-7s,
relegated to freighter service, was retired in 1966. In case
you were wondering the DC-7 could fly up to 90 passengers
coast-to-coast in about 8 hours.
Thank you Don S (Friday Volunteer) for this contribution -CB
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