From Plant II to the Air Park
September 18-19, 2010
On
September 15, 2009, TCA Connie CF-TGE, having been moved from Rome, New
York to Seattle, and having been reassembled, was moved into Boeing’s
Plant II for temporary storage and some additional restoration
work. The Museum struggled with a suitable, and protected,
display location for this important airplane. But, after a
year, a magic solution was still not attainable, and it was decided to
move the airplane to the Air Park. Not our first choice, but
hopefully just a temporary one.
In Plant II
During
the year, the aft entry door was repaired, the fogged pilot windshields
were replaced, the props were overhauled, paint damage from the move
was touched up, and the cockpit was cleaned up. The airplane
hosted many Museum members and some important VIPs.
Unfortunately, it was not viewable by the general public; that was a
personal frustration. The upside is that it was well protected
from the weather. With Boeing’s demolition of Plant II imminent,
the airplane was moved to the Air Park during two middle-of-the-night
moves.
Air Canada CEO Robert Milton came to visit with his family. Robert was crucial to the success of this project.
And
so did Steven Udvar-Hazy, famous aircraft Mover-and-Shaker, airliner
leasing giant, who provided the funds enabling the creation of the
Smithsonian’s Dulles Airport facility that bears his name.
Both these gentlemen - as are ALL good airplane lovers - are also big Connie lovers.
Good friend Chris
Longridge, fellow Boeing retiree and Propliner lover, was instrumental
in kicking off this project in July 2005, when he came to hear me give
a talk on the 737 Prototype at the Museum.
Chris's son David Longridge (left) - a Boeing salesman whose accounts
included Air Canada was the key player in making this dream a reality.
David came with Chris to hear my 737 talk at the Museum, then
contacted Robert Milton, who offered Air Canada's help - and a free
paint job! David continued supporting the project even when Air
Canada was no longer his account. On the right is former Museum
CEO Bonnie Dunbar who found the money I was spending
prodigiously, fought with the Canadian government over our needed
Export Permit, and gave great support to the project. She even put up with me!
Three
Museum airplanes were moved out on the night of Sept 18 - Connie CF-TGE
got the first call. The B-17 and B-29 - her “roommates” over the
past year, followed. They were the last three airplanes to leave
Boeing’s historic Plant II. See the story here.
I
came in, and, like the first night a year ago, leaving her
alone, in this new and strange place, -- was the first to
arrive and her only companion for quite a long time. The lights
were out, the darkness enveloping, and we talked and communed in quiet
contemplation. As best a human can “talk” to a machine, but - as
you know - I think airplanes are “living things". (I've mused on
this previously, for those of you who think it strange.) It's not
difficult at all. I explained what was coming up. With 56
years of living under her belt - and - having endured the trials and
tribulations of Job - and somehow survived - she didn’t exactly
shrug. But, with her chin held high, she seemed to understand -
she was going into a new world - one of deserved adulation - alongside
some unique stable-mates - adored in their own right. She had
endured and survived and triumphed over the years - survived
after unimaginable neglect and abuse - to arrive at this new time
in her life. Born again. As always, beauty and grace
carried her forward with determination and nobility. After five
years in her company, I am not surprised. She has the spirit of a
true thoroughbred.
Soon,
the lights come on, people and equipment arrive - an extraordinary
cacophony of sights and sounds surround her. Mechanics and Museum
people and photographers from TV stations. Time for quiet
contemplation is over. Looking back is over - looking ahead now
consumes our thoughts.
At 3:06 AM, she pokes her nose out of the hangar and starts her journey, leaving her warm and dry home of the past year.
Bay
1 of the Plant II Assembly building (left) and the 2-25 Engineering
building behind - a classic pose for so many historic Boeing airplanes
of the past. Now, the famous and beautiful Connie triple-tail
adds her image to the photos of yesteryear. An amazing sight. Thank you, Boeing, for the great digs.Across East
Marginal Way, through the Boeing fence and actually right through one
of Boeing’s 737 flight line hangars and out on to the Boeing field
ramp.
After all three airplanes that had been inside Plant II are on
the field, the Connie and the B-17 are slowly towed down the Bravo
taxiway to the Museum’s location.
Last time it was on a flatbed truck - this time on her own landing gear.
CF-TGE arrives at her staging location at 4:25 AM - a Super G finally at the Museum of Flight.
24
hours later finds us back on the dark and wet ramp, this time outside
the Museum of Flight - our task to move Trans-Canada Super Connie
CF-TGE across East Marginal Way once more, and into the Air Park for
public display.
Waiting quietly in the darkness, CF-TGE's final journey is about to begin. The tug arrives and hooks up. The airplane is moved up the ramp to the street.
Fences
and wires are taken down, curb cribbing and steel plates are
positioned, (in fact, the entire Air Park admission building was
removed), the police close the roadway, and the final move can begin.
It's 6:22 AM, and time to head across the street
Into the Air Park
"Wow! I've read about you - aren't you a.....a Concorde?"
Past the other five airplanes, she's turned into position.
She eyes her new neighbors, and they do likewise.
Here are the two
members of the Ace Boeing towing team - Gene Slate on the left and
Cederic Daniels - the tug driver. The tug is a high tech wonder of
wonders, with independent four wheel steering, and the ability to even
move sideways, and Cederic is its skillful master. Cederic has been
such a whiz these days in moving “my” airplane, that I don’t even mind
that he’s an Oakland Raiders fan!
Tom Cathcart - the
MOF’s hard-working Chief of Everything Airplane - is the magician who
juggled all these balls. Like me, he used to be 6 foot six, but the
pressures of these jobs keep wearing you down......
"Hey - aren't you
the very First 747? The First 'Jumbo Jet?"
"Yep, that's me sister.
Welcome to the transport airplane Hall of Fame." 
"And, gee, didn't
you used to fly the President?"
"Many Presidents, if you don't mind.
And Khrushchev too. They don't let just anybody into this place." 
“Boy”, she thinks, “these are some pretty impressive stablemates," her red nose blushing a brighter red.
" I’m thinking I’m gonna like it here.”
This is a journey
over five years in the making. (My personal Super Connie quest for the
Museum began in April 1978, involving three airplanes over a period of
more than 32 years. As I said in my webpage The Real Story, “Although this one is a fight to get in the boat, I don't intend to let it get off my hook!”)
With the help of innumerable people, providing support, money, and a
lot of blood, sweat, and tears - this Connie has been saved - she has landed safely in the boat. I'm very proud to have played a part.
Ralph Pettersen
From this................................................to this
Back in March 2006, again in The Real Story, I wrote
“The Museum will display the airplane outside - in front of the 747
Prototype and to the right of the first jet Air Force One (707.)”
Four and one half years later, that prophecy has become fact. One
of these days, the Museum will cover its precious large airplane
collection - currently outside. But until that happens, and even
after, the TCA Lockheed Super G Constellation CF-TGE has indeed joined
a select group of aeroplanes - with the 737 and 747 Prototypes, the
first jet Air Force One, and the supersonic Concorde as her new
neighbors.
She is amongst the best of the best,
the rarest of the rare.
Like herself, everyone a Champion Thorughbred.
Her 56 years of wandering are over.
Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
We have already come;
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
Welcome Home - Super Connie CF-TGE
Click here for a photographic
retrospective of those 56 years.
Copyright 2010 Robert A. Bogash. All Rights Reserved
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