John Travolta Buys A Convair 990

lemonkitty · Fri Oct 08, 2004 12:15 am

Just heard from a reliable source at KELP that John Travolta has bought the Convair 990 that has been in storage at El Paso for years...He paid somwhere in the area of 77,000 for this bird..What a steal for a classic bird!!!
Here is a pic of the bird.....

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Photo © Christian Hauser

Rike

JGPH1A · Fri Oct 08, 2004 12:18 am

I hope it flies again - I remember when the poor old thing was sold to the unsuspecting government of the homeland of Ciskei (in South Africa) as the basis for their national airline - they built a shiny new airport for it in Bisho and everything - it never flew in commercial service, IIRC because the SA CAA wouldn't certify it (it was a HUGE lemon)

NikonDFW · Fri Oct 08, 2004 12:19 am

If this is true, I sure hope he would consider painting it up in AA's 1960's Astrojet colors. I know it's a long shot since AA is very fussy about that stuff.

N1120A · Fri Oct 08, 2004 12:31 am

I am guessing QF colors, like the 707, considering he is a fully checked out 744 captain for them. He may have only paid 77 grand for the plane, but it will cost millions to restore and refit. I am holding out for a 747SP

JGPH1A · Fri Oct 08, 2004 12:34 am

Why would he paint it in QF colours - QF never had CV990's. I'd hope he would pick a carrier that at least operated the aircraft.

DIA · Fri Oct 08, 2004 12:37 am

Oh the possibilities! If he bought it. . .he'll want to fly it. . .so it'll fly.

Now, for the possible retro airline c/s for it: I'd like to see Swissair or TWA. . .but who knows what he's thinking.

I guess I'm just glad someone is going to take care of this treasure of commercial aviation. Seems like John has a "thing" for 4-engined aircraft.

N1120A · Fri Oct 08, 2004 12:42 am

Well, he also has a biz jet, so not all 4-engined. I think he will like flying 990 feet per second. BTW, since these are GA aircraft, do they still require a 3 person crew? If so, does anyone know who JT's First Officer and Flight Engineer are?

UAL747 · Fri Oct 08, 2004 12:50 am

Haha, funny this thread came up. I've been watching JT on TV for the past 30 min in look who's talking too. In the movie, he is a lear jet pilot. Shitty movie, but hey, Im bored.

UAL747

MD80Nut · Fri Oct 08, 2004 1:28 am

It would be awesome if a 990 could fly again. It's going to be quite a challenge, though, finding parts is going to a major job as only 37 where built. Travolta though is a real enthusiast, and if anybody can do it, he can.

cheers, Ralph

cptkrell · Fri Oct 08, 2004 1:39 am

Well, he's certainly smart enough and wealthy enough to accomplish the project, but that is no guarantee of his intent. Remember, he once owned the Connie that is currently flown in MATS colors. I never did get the specifics on why he sold it to Vern Rayburn before starting his own resto project (although I could imagine that life insurance may have been part of the equation).

I wish him success if he attempts to get her flying again. Definately one of the rarest of the rare. Regards...Jack

AlitaliaMD11 · Fri Oct 08, 2004 1:42 am

Hey

i have seen pics of his house and he has quite a few Convair 990 and 880 models in his house. He also has a few concorde models, I am sure he would have baught one if he could Smile/happy/getting dizzy

He might use this as a house thing in his back yard for his kids.

IGUY · Fri Oct 08, 2004 1:44 am

Would love to see a TWA livery on this bird. If AA would let him that is.

jjo

EA CO AS · Fri Oct 08, 2004 1:44 am

Wasn't he thisclose to buying a former QF B-747SP this time last year? What was it that kept him from closing the deal?

N1120A · Fri Oct 08, 2004 1:45 am

I think he want the speed. This plane is damn fast. I thought they showed him flying an Airborne Express plane (though there seemed to be PAX on board) in LWTT.

USAFHummer · Fri Oct 08, 2004 1:55 am

I remember him flying an MS.760 Paris bizjet in one of the Look Who's Talking movies...havent seen any of them for at least 7 or 8 years so I could be wrong...

Greg

PennPal · Fri Oct 08, 2004 3:03 am

What great news!! I can't wait to see what JT will be doing with this classic airliner! If I'm not mistaken, this jet was flying in Denver Ports of Call colors during the late '70s. I got to see it up close and personal on the ramp at FMY one cool winter evening...a wonderful sight!!

NikonDFW · Fri Oct 08, 2004 3:27 am

John Travolta if your listening...

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Photo © Bob Garrard

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Photo © Bob Garrard

MEA-707 · Fri Oct 08, 2004 3:28 am

TWA never flew 990s, only 880s. My bet it he will repaint it in an American Astrojet lookalike colours (probably without logos and titles). Other candidates for the livery are Swissair, Ports of Call (which colours it still wears and which was the last US operator of the 990) or Spantax, the ultimate and longest term operator of the 990.
Don't expect it flying around like the 707 does. First it is incredibly noisy, it doesn't even comply with stage 2 noiselevels (the 707 is hushkitted) so apart from one or two ferry flights, it's probably not welcome anywhere. I am sure Travolta will restore it only for one experimental ferry flight and then take it to a final place to preserve it. Anyway great news, the El Paso 990 was doomed to be scrapped if noone picked it up this year.

Thrust · Fri Oct 08, 2004 3:34 am

Rock on, Travolta!!! Way to put a vanishing plane type back in service...I definitely would like to see more of them around (though they are impractical)

sacflyer · Fri Oct 08, 2004 3:52 am

He flew the Paris Jet in the first Look who's talking movie.

He was a Falcon Pilot in the second movie. I think it was either a 50 or a 900 but I can't be sure now.

aa777jr · Fri Oct 08, 2004 4:09 am

Is Big John licensed to fly this bird? Go see Ladder 49. It's good stuff.

AA777jr

toady · Fri Oct 08, 2004 4:16 am

We're assuming he's bought it to fly it. Given the difficulty of returning this type to flying condition - and keeping it there - maybe he's bought it merely to preserve it.

Either way, good for him!

westindian425 · Fri Oct 08, 2004 4:29 am

Good news! Now if he could just develop interest on purchasing an L-1011, I'll be very much happy. Smile

Neil

LMP737 · Fri Oct 08, 2004 5:02 am

Even though John Travolta is wealthy man I think returning a 990 back to flying condition would be somewhat financially tasking. Especially on an aircraft with a limited production run and made by a manufacturer that's no longer around. Then there's the fact unlike his 707 he will have a hard time finding a simulator on which to train on. This of course is assuming that he is actually buying one to fly.

Av8rDAL · Fri Oct 08, 2004 5:40 am

If he's got the money and ambition, he'll make it happen. Just because the thing is difficult to maintain and locate parts does not mean it is impossible.

Jay Leno is a real car nut and owns a whole warehouse of exotic and antique cars. His Dusenbergs are so rare that some of the parts actually must be manufactured especially for him and his needs since they are not mass-produced.

An L1011- the Mercedes of widebodies. That would be great if he got his hands on one of those. TWA colors or maybe Delta would be most appropriate. Maybe in a few years...

N730AS · Fri Oct 08, 2004 5:56 am

My shamless plug for the day.....Paint it in AS colors......

EMBQA · Fri Oct 08, 2004 5:58 am

Sorry, but the FAA web site shows no record of a sale or ownership change on the above mentioned Convair 990.

EA CO AS · Fri Oct 08, 2004 6:12 am

An L1011- the Mercedes of widebodies. That would be great if he got his hands on one of those. TWA colors or maybe Delta would be most appropriate.

Blasphemy! Any restored L-1011 needs to be in the livery of the launch customer, Eastern Air Lines. Big thumbs up

AlitaliaMD11 · Fri Oct 08, 2004 6:34 am

Hey

where would he park it? would he move is biz jet out some where and put the convair in? I only noticed two parking spaces, a L-1011 or a SP would be hard planes to land and take off on the runway and would be hard to park!!

Also does he actully fly the plane? Does it have auto pilot?

highflier92660 · Fri Oct 08, 2004 7:39 am

I wonder how many retired American Airlines pilots are biting at the bit to fly that bird again? Even if Consolidated Vultee/ General Dynamics never got that plane up to guarenteed contract specs it was still able to cruise at Mach .88 or so. According to John Proctor's book, it has manufacturers serial number 24 and has 10,916 hours TT.

Capital146 · Fri Oct 08, 2004 7:54 am

I'm guessing it won't be painted in Spantax livery!

aa777jr · Fri Oct 08, 2004 8:32 am

AS livery!

I love it.

Hope to see Travolta flying around the skies in it someday.

AA777jr

dl021 · Fri Oct 08, 2004 9:04 am

Way to go! It ought to be possible to scrounge the parts for a few flights, but the long term future of this airplane is probably going to be as a display piece in a good museum. I think that if they can get it into Kermit Weeks' museum that would be good....on second thought, the Udvar-Hazy wing would be the best place for it. Put it in American Airlines colors, put it on tour promoting American Airlines and let the bird end its flying at on of the great Aviation Museums the same way the 377 and the Dash 80 did.

Travolta does have space at his place for the thing, though, if he can find the spares and get it certified to fly in the US. I flew over the spread on the way to Orlando on Monday and there are some vacant lots with space to park planes if he wants them. That would look cool.

Whats next? Maybe a Caravelle or a BAC 1-11?

FlyPIJets · Fri Oct 08, 2004 10:01 am

Hey:

I wonder if Travolta is on this message board? My guess is more likely than not.

Smile

FedExDC-10 · Fri Oct 08, 2004 10:14 am

Hahaha, wouldn't that be hillarious? We could be talking to a star and never even know. I wouldn't doubt it one bit though...
At any rate, I think it's wonderful that he is using his financial resources to preserve great aviation history and heritage, not to mention living out half of our dreams. LOL. It's almost like we're kinda living vicariously through him. Rock on JT!

FedExDC-10

isitsafenow · Fri Oct 08, 2004 10:21 am

This bird was first delivered to AA on April 9 of 1962 as N5612.
safe

dantiger · Fri Oct 08, 2004 10:52 am

When I was stationed in San Diego (64-66) the Convair plant was still going strong. I recall several 880's in service at Lindburgh Field. I seem to remember the long gone Western Airlines orange and white livery. The TV commercials had an animated bird on the tail sipping champaign saying "Western ,The Only Way to Fly." Then it would show one of its destinations such as Seattle or Las Vegas and the fare. My kid sister and I would play a game and try and guess the city before it was shown. See there was fun before computers!. Did they use the 880? Any old farts out there who remember this?

BR715-A1-30 · Fri Oct 08, 2004 11:38 am

I would like for him to purchase a former AA 727-200. He should hold a contest on a.net and the first 10 people who win get a free ride on his plane.. I know I wouldn't be the lucky winner, but still, it would be kind of cool.

AFROTC · Fri Oct 08, 2004 11:43 am

Wow, hes building up a nice little fleet. I wonder whats next...

miamix707 · Fri Oct 08, 2004 12:26 pm

He's doing what it should have been done long ago to preserve these aircraft. In Europe there are all kinds of old airliners preserved in airline liveries. Few or none in the US.

The man has great taste and like it was said above, he's definitely a real enthusiast, flying around in a 707 and now buying a Convair 990.

As to airline colors, sorry the AA retro colors are too boring, and we already saw those on a 737 & 757 recently. I vote for the Ports of Call livery which looks fantastic, just add the logos and titles. Colorful and beautiful Big grin

coronado · Fri Oct 08, 2004 12:28 pm

How come no votes for JT restoring this CV990 into Varig livery? RG got quite a few years out of this mini fleet that they they took delivery of following their purchase of Real Aerovias (which had ordered the Coronados in the first place)--sadly none were ever pictured in Real livery but they sure looked smart in Varig's classic look!

miamix707 · Fri Oct 08, 2004 12:33 pm

Ok here we go:

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FlagshipAZ · Fri Oct 08, 2004 12:51 pm

Way to go, John! Wink/being sarcastic

This guy has, once again, earned my profound respect. If this is true that he bought CV-990 line #24, I'll see any & every movie he'll make in the future to help to him pay for the restoration of this aircraft. My vote is for John to repaint the bird into AA's retro colors, just as he did with Qantas on the ex-QF 707-138B. Keep 'em flying, John! Wink/being sarcastic

Regards.

sovietjet · Fri Oct 08, 2004 12:54 pm

Noisy? I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem for him to fly around in it, he's John Travolta. What a great plane. I soooo wanna hear what one sounds like. Can anyone compare its noise to a current plane?

dantiger · Fri Oct 08, 2004 1:43 pm

As I recall: Take a DC-9 and double the decibels. The smoke was black and quite plenitiful. Not just on take off, usually until it was totally out of sight. At least you knew all engines were blasting! (sorry my spell check is still not working) Anyone else having a problem?

jcded · Fri Oct 08, 2004 4:06 pm

this is an idea from way out there, but is it possible to adapt another engine choice that is stage 2 or 3 compliant to the aircraft to make it legal to fly, like 707 hushkit engines

JGPH1A · Fri Oct 08, 2004 4:35 pm

Re: Sorry, but the FAA web site shows no record of a sale or ownership change on the above mentioned Convair 990.

Could it be that the status of this aircraft is such that the FAA no longer need to be notified of any change of ownership ? Surely an aircraft that is no longer airworthy and that has been reported as such (ie. officially declared as WFU ) is no longer the FAA's concern, and is just another hunk of scrap metal. Unless of course there are plans to get it flying again. I could well be wrong - anyone care to enlighten me ?

will · Fri Oct 08, 2004 5:30 pm

I’d love to be one of the Engineers during the restoration of this great old Classic bird. What a magic opportunity and nostalgic experience that would be to work on a CV-990.

As for colours.?? The airline that originally purchased the aircraft should have first opportunity to sponsor a colour scheme. Just a thought to keep it nostalgic!

Kind Regards,

Will….

SATL382G · Fri Oct 08, 2004 5:48 pm

If the FAA were no longer tracking this airframe nothing would come up when the "N" number is queried. On this Convair the following info comes up:

Serial Number: 24
Owner: TRANSAV INC
CORP TRUST CENTER 1209 ORANGE ST
WILMINGTON , DE 19801
Aircraft Manufacturer: CONVAIR
Aircraft Model: 30A
Number of Engines: 04
Number of Seats: 152
Average Cruise Speed: 0468
Aircraft Weight: CLASS 3
Year of Manufacture: 1962

SATL382G · Fri Oct 08, 2004 5:56 pm

Found the ad on http://www.aviatorsale.com/aix2571/

Serial no.: 24

Registration No.: N8357C

Manufacture year.: 1962

Price.: 77,000 $

TTAF.: 27700

Add Type.: Sale

Available From.: WESTERNAIR INC

Paint.: FAIR/AVERAGE

Aircraft, General.: CONVAIR 990 CORONADO - LAST OF THE ORIGINAL TURBOJET AIRLNERS FROM THE 60'S - VERY NICE CONDITION THROUGHOUT (BEAUTIFUL 146 PASSENGER INTERIOR) - LAST FLOWN APPROX 9 YEARS AGO - ALL COMPLETE - CAN BE MADE FERRIABLE - A TRUE MUSEUM/COLLECTORS PIECE - PERHAPS A GATE GUARDIAN - AN EXCELLENT AIRCRAFT FOR AN A&P SCHOOL OR ???? AT A BARGAIN BASEMENT PRICE OF $77,000.

Avionics.: COCKPIT IS COMPLETE WITH AN ARRAY OF COLLINS, MOTOROLA, RCA, SPERRY AND WULFSBERG AVIONICS / ACCYS

Interior.: INTERIOR IS SEST UP FOR 146 PASSENGERS ITH GALLEYS AND LAVATORIES

Exterior.: PRIMARILY NATURAL ALUMINUM WINGS AND LOWER FUSELAGE - FUSELAGE TOPSIDE IS PAINTED WHITE WITH BLUE AND GOLDENROD TRIM - OXIDIZED FROM SITTING OUTSIDE, BUT CAN CLEAN UP VERY NICELY (AIRCRAFT IS SITTING IN DRY DESERT CLIMATE)

Time since new.: 27,700 HOURS

Weights.: MAX TAKEOFF WEIGHT: 253,000 (APPROX)
MAX ZERO FUEL WEIGHT: 160,000 (APPROX)
BASIC OPERATING EMPTY WEIGHT: 124,000 (APPROX)

Engines.: GENERAL ELECTRIC CJ-805-23 (B) TURBOFANS PRODUCING 16,050 POUNDS OF THRUST APIECE

Seller.: WESTERNAIR INC
DICK DURAND
PO BOX 9127 AMF
87119 - ALBUQUERQUE
New Mexico
USA
Phone : 505-842-4444
Fax : 505-842-4446

edit: added link

[Edited 2004-10-08 10:58:55]

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