http://aviationweek.com/blog/elvis-c...-and-jetstar-face-uncertain-future
Looks like the iconic jets that once squired around Elvis Presley, the (formerly with DL) CV-880 "Lisa Marie" & "Hound Dog 1" the smaller Lockheed Jetstar, are due to be removed from Graceland sometime in 2015.
Here's hoping that a "white knight" (how about FedEx?) comes along and gives these babies a new home in Memphis for the display.
Moderators: richierich, ua900, PanAm_DC10, hOMSaR
RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
I agree, those birds would make great "gate guards"
out in front of the Memphis Airport
out in front of the Memphis Airport
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- bennett123
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RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
How practical would it be to move them.
I suspect that a ferry flight is a non starter.
I suspect that a ferry flight is a non starter.
RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
| Quoting bennett123 (Reply 2): |
As IIRC back in the 1980s when they set up the display at Graceland, the new owners had them flown into MEM, dismantled the wings, engines and tails, then trucked the plane parts to Graceland where they were re-assembled for display.
I guess this will have to happen again - one way (moved to a new MEM display park) or another (moved to the scrap yard).
Hope it will be the former outcome!
RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
| Quoting bennett123 (Reply 2): I suspect that a ferry flight is a non starter. |
Well, they're certainly not flying out of Gracelands!
I went there to see these planes last year when I visited Memphis. I arrived early and the planes weren't yet open for viewing. The ticket salesperson couldn't get her head round the fact that I didn't want to see anything except the planes.
Sadly, the weather that day was crap and this was the only decent photo I could get (before I was told off for using flash!):
Photo © Steve Brimley
RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
Those planes belong right where they are so hopefully a new financial agreement can be made with the owners.
The new proposed hotel I believe is on the same side of the street as Graceland so guess this about money and not needing the space.
The new proposed hotel I believe is on the same side of the street as Graceland so guess this about money and not needing the space.
RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
Just as an FYI, this is the "Lisa Marie" while still in DL service.....
View Large View Medium
Photo © Larry Pullen
Photo © Larry Pullen
RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
I hope they can be saved. I know that 880 isn't in the best shape, but it has to be the best one still around. Elvis really decorated that thing in 1970s high style and that has to be one of the few VIP planes still around with that kind of interior. I think there is a 727 in Iran with a cool 1970s VIP interior.
Here is me and Lisa Marie, back in 1993.
Here is me and Lisa Marie, back in 1993.
RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
The delta photo is my father so LM is special to me.
For the flying thought.. No, the spars were cut outboard of 2 and 3 for transportation.
The Hazy museum in DC would be my choice but the rock and roll hall of fame in Cleveland Ohio should get it as a gate guard.. I'll call them tomorrow.
What do you think?
For the flying thought.. No, the spars were cut outboard of 2 and 3 for transportation.
The Hazy museum in DC would be my choice but the rock and roll hall of fame in Cleveland Ohio should get it as a gate guard.. I'll call them tomorrow.
What do you think?
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- Type-Rated
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RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
I agree it's not so much that they were Elvis' planes, but that they are now rare.
From what I heard they are not very well cared for. The CV880 has house paint for the external paint and is bubling and flaking in certain spots. The interiors are alright. Boy that photo above makes the interior look pretty cheap. But I imagine that was because that's what was considered "luxurious" back in the 70's. A world of difference with what is popular as interior fittings in private jets today.
Ah ha, why do I get the feeling this is all about money? I think the people who actually own these aircraft want more money from EPE to keep them there and EPE is saying no.
From what I heard they are not very well cared for. The CV880 has house paint for the external paint and is bubling and flaking in certain spots. The interiors are alright. Boy that photo above makes the interior look pretty cheap. But I imagine that was because that's what was considered "luxurious" back in the 70's. A world of difference with what is popular as interior fittings in private jets today.
Ah ha, why do I get the feeling this is all about money? I think the people who actually own these aircraft want more money from EPE to keep them there and EPE is saying no.
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- BN727227Ultra
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- aviationaware
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RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
Trying to capitalize on age old aircraft that have been given to display seems kind of like grifting, but then; those ultra-famous people like Elvis and Michael Jackson have always been prime targets for grifters, so this fits the big picture.
Can't they just leave it there where it belongs...
Can't they just leave it there where it belongs...
RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
| Quoting type-rated (Reply 9): From what I heard they are not very well cared for. The CV880 has house paint for the external paint and is bubling and flaking in certain spots. |
I agree. These planes need a fresh restoration. But it would be a worthwhile project for a "white knight" benefactor (Hey, FedEx!).
Now if they could put these bad boys back in flyable condition again?!
TCB!
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- HermansCVR580
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RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
What about Delta picking up the CV880 and moving it to their museum in ATL?
RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
| Quoting HermansCVR580 (Reply 13): What about Delta picking up the CV880 and moving it to their museum in ATL? |
Well, they've already got the cockpit section of an 880, there......but, since there are very few left, I suppose they could repaint it and put it outside.
RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
I've never understood how American Airlines hasn't rescued the APSA 990 from the desert, restore it in the period AA Livery and place it in their Dallas museum. As one of the few intact 990's left in the world, it NEEDS to be saved!!
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I see that I was wrong.... That former APSA 990A has already been scrapped.... A crime!!
[Edited 2014-07-03 21:36:57 by md11sdf]
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I see that I was wrong.... That former APSA 990A has already been scrapped.... A crime!!
[Edited 2014-07-03 21:36:57 by md11sdf]
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- United_fan
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RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
Why would Grceland want to move the planes ? They attract many people to Memphis and its not like the real estate is as valuable as in say New York City. If The Lisa Marie were to be moved the Smithsonian's Dulles faciltiy would be a good shelter for it. Just for the preservation value of a CV-880, the fact it was Elvis Pressly's plane os a bonus.
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- DTWPurserBoy
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RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
| Quoting type-rated (Reply 9): Boy that photo above makes the interior look pretty cheap. But I imagine that was because that's what was considered "luxurious" back in the 70's. A world of difference with what is popular as interior fittings in private jets today. |
If you have never been to Graceland, you would not know that Elvis was a heck of a lot better entertainer than he was a decorator.
| Quoting HermansCVR580 (Reply 13): What about Delta picking up the CV880 and moving it to their museum in ATL? |
I agree....but since DL has the 880 cockpit and the DL interior is not intact I would doubt they would do it.
The two best ideas I have heard are having either FedEx or the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame preserve them. FedEx would be the most logical since it would only involve a short truck ride out to MEM. Udvar-Hazy is out of the question--too far, too expensive.
I have always had a personal affection for the Jetstar and said that if I could own one airplane it would either be a Jetstar or a Super VC-10--I just love those 4 engines in the tail. Gives them an elegant look.
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- BN727227Ultra
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RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
| Quoting DTWPurserBoy (Reply 21): I have always had a personal affection for the Jetstar and said that if I could own one airplane it would either be a Jetstar or a Super VC-10--I just love those 4 engines in the tail. Gives them an elegant look. |
John Wayne--"Hellfighters"--raw meat for oil patch junkies, and rare aircraft, too. Jetstar, C-124 and some weird helicopter with intermeshed rotors that I haven't seen since.
RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
A company known as Authentic Brands Group now owns most of Elvis Presley Enterprises (among much else, including Juicy Couture, Prince tennis racquets, Hart Schaffner and Marx suits, and the licensing rights to Marilyn Monroe). Its concerns with Graceland undoubtedly are less sentimental and more dollars-and-cents. If a hotel on the site now occupied by the aircraft will bring in significant revenues, the aircraft will go.
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- Viscount724
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RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
| Quoting MD11SDF (Reply 15): I've never understood how American Airlines hasn't rescued the APSA 990 from the desert, restore it in the period AA Livery and place it in their Dallas museum. |
AA was never happy with the 990's capabilities and didn't keep them long. Many were disposed of when only 4 or 5 years old. I don't think any lasted longer than 8 or 9 years at AA. I don't know why AA would have any interest in spending money to save one for a museum.
RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
It shouldn't have anything to do with the hotel. The new hotel will be built north of Graceland on the same side of the street, the airplanes are almost directly across the street and not near where the hotel will be.
One of the articles said the airplane owners were paid a fee for each person visiting Graceland and I would imagine with nearly 600,000 visitors to Graceland each year, the CEO has decided whatever amount they are receiving is too much and told them the planes must go. Hopefully a new deal can be worked out and the planes can be kept on site.
One of the articles said the airplane owners were paid a fee for each person visiting Graceland and I would imagine with nearly 600,000 visitors to Graceland each year, the CEO has decided whatever amount they are receiving is too much and told them the planes must go. Hopefully a new deal can be worked out and the planes can be kept on site.
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RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
So I take it that nobody from Elvis' family is involved with Elvis Presley Enterprises these days?
RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
| Quoting type-rated (Reply 26): So I take it that nobody from Elvis' family is involved with Elvis Presley Enterprises these days? |
They still have a small share, maybe 10% or so, but for the most part it's under corporate control.
RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
So basically all we have is this:
“Absolutely. See that patch on the lip of number four engine? I put it there, and it’s on the one in Memphis .”
Interesting that a.net didn't find that as enough evidence to change the reg.
“Absolutely. See that patch on the lip of number four engine? I put it there, and it’s on the one in Memphis .”
Interesting that a.net didn't find that as enough evidence to change the reg.
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- DTWPurserBoy
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RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
| Quoting type-rated (Reply 26): So I take it that nobody from Elvis' family is involved with Elvis Presley Enterprises these days? |
His wife had control for many years and built the estate into a huge conglomerate--very savvy woman. I am now sure how much Lisa Marie has to do with it now (except to cash the checks).
RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
Lisa Presley still owns 15 percent of Elvis Presley Enterprises and is still active in its operations, but has retained sole ownership of the mansion, gravesite and all of her father’s personal property which she has said she will never sell.
JetStar
JetStar
RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
| Quoting 727LOVER (Reply 29): Interesting that a.net didn't find that as enough evidence to change the reg. |
Perhaps A.net never bothered to read the story. I'm the one that originally posted that story on A.net after getting permission from Larry Pullen to post it.
I would imagine that it would be up to the one that submitted the photos to A.net to update the reg. I have no reason to believe that the story isn't true.
RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
I drive by the 880 during lunch about every day ,it is in very poor shape and yes looks like house paint on it. I recall watching them move it there with just a fuselage and landing gear and a man on top pushing power lines up with a pole. Now there would be no way to get that plane out of there with out cutting the fuselage in sections.The landing gear im sure is pretty much useless to even try to tug it and if they did it would prolly snap the gear.. Its all about money..I didnt know mr Coker even still had anything to do with it untill last week but its a good nest egg to split the revs with epe, who probably want to cut more into his share... I think a while back lisa or "mom" sold more of epe to someone else but retain the house. I think somehow priscilla calls the shots, as shes always been in the forefront on this deal,and here quite often.. where as lisa I seldom see much of her around..
Im not sure if that photo of the low takeoff of the 880 by the dal pilot is this plane or not as i think they tried it a few times from what i heard,, i havent read the article.. But I barely recall when delta had them and they were really a small plane inside..All those 880,s Smoked like hell on take off, as that was one way we knew it ws elvis leaving by the massive amount of smoke on take off,but those planes were very fast... Ive never gone back an seen his little plane it might me more manuverable to get out due to its size,,, Yes the new hotel is on the east side of the road so i cant imagine what is going to go in there,, Im sure they will work something out to keep it there as i dought the old mn is going to pay to move it..
Im not sure if that photo of the low takeoff of the 880 by the dal pilot is this plane or not as i think they tried it a few times from what i heard,, i havent read the article.. But I barely recall when delta had them and they were really a small plane inside..All those 880,s Smoked like hell on take off, as that was one way we knew it ws elvis leaving by the massive amount of smoke on take off,but those planes were very fast... Ive never gone back an seen his little plane it might me more manuverable to get out due to its size,,, Yes the new hotel is on the east side of the road so i cant imagine what is going to go in there,, Im sure they will work something out to keep it there as i dought the old mn is going to pay to move it..
RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
| Quoting jetjeanes (Reply 33): Im not sure if that photo of the low takeoff of the 880 by the dal pilot is this plane or not as i think they tried it a few times from what i heard,, i havent read the article.. |
Read the story. The one on takeoff was one of several tries over a two day period to try and get the right shot.
RE: Can The "Lisa Marie & Hound Dog I" Be Saved?
Both of Elvis’s airplanes still have current FAA registrations, even though these airplanes will never fly again, probably to prevent anyone from getting those “N” numbers if they were ever cancelled.
Other than the special “N” numbers that the FAA keeps for itself, N1 thru N99, all “N” numbers not assigned are available to the public, I do not know of any “N” number retired by the FAA
I know Elvis’s JetStar is serial number 5004, the 4th JetStar built in late 1961 and one of the 5 JetStars that was used for FAA certification.
I was in this JetStar a few years ago when I went to Graceland and I can tell you that this airplane will never fly again. the right side of the fuselage opposite the cabin door was cut out and a large plexiglass window was installed to let more light into the entry area where you can look into the cockpit and cabin.
JetStar
Other than the special “N” numbers that the FAA keeps for itself, N1 thru N99, all “N” numbers not assigned are available to the public, I do not know of any “N” number retired by the FAA
I know Elvis’s JetStar is serial number 5004, the 4th JetStar built in late 1961 and one of the 5 JetStars that was used for FAA certification.
I was in this JetStar a few years ago when I went to Graceland and I can tell you that this airplane will never fly again. the right side of the fuselage opposite the cabin door was cut out and a large plexiglass window was installed to let more light into the entry area where you can look into the cockpit and cabin.
JetStar
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