N836D Restoration Gallery

Tuesday, August 02, 2011 at 01:38 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

A DC-7B aircraft has been successfully restored and took its first post-restoration flight on July 4, 2010, after being grounded for 32 years.
The extensive restoration project began in May 2004, involving significant repairs such as replacing approximately 60% of the exterior skin and overhauling the interior, while maintaining its original 1958 factory appearance.
The restored aircraft has been utilized for productions, including the "Pan Am" TV series, and now offers rides and merchandise for purchase.

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A DC-7B finally takes to the skies again after years of restoration.

This beautiful night shot is recognized as one of the premier portraits of the restored airplane. Posters (and rides) are available for purchase here. Photo by Greg Drawbaugh

The airplane, ferried from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Miami’s Opa-locka Airport, showed its age after 32 years on the ground. The rebuilding process included maintaining the original look from the factory delivery in 1958. Photo by Ralph M. Pettersen

Work began in St. Paul to open, inspect, replace and repair systems that have sat idle for three-plus decades. Photo by Greg Drawbaugh

**Once in Miami, the long-term restoration began with the stripping of the interior. Ribs were repaired and/or replaced. At the same time, some 60 percent of the exterior skin panels were replaced.
** Photo courtesy of Historical Flight Foundation (HFF)

This was the scene in St. Paul during the first week of the project that began in May of 2004. Note the dilapidated rudder. Photo by Greg Drawbaugh

The new interior was installed at the end of 2009. _ Photo by Roger Jarman_

This photo of the restored cockpit was taken March 2011 while at Republic Airport in Farmingdale, New York, for the shooting of the new “Pan Am” TV series scheduled to air September 2011 on ABC. Photo by www.longislandwallpapers.com

July 4, 2010, N836D takes off for its first post-restoration flight. Photo courtesy of HFF

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