“ Mr. Darryl Greenameyer soon became a party to this transaction …”
You mean, THE Mr. “record-setting” Darryl Greenameyer? Now that’s a factoid I never knew!
And yes, the “Connie” was a ship with a “shape crafted by angels!” Hands-down, the most beautiful aircraft to take to the skies!
If I remember correctly, he planned on racing this airplane in the Mojave 1000 air race. There had been a DC6 running in that race. Needless to say, the little friends were not pleased to have a DC6 and a Connie running laps with them. The fighters would be running similar speeds with tanks just to make range without a pit stop, so it made sense to run the big boys.
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My first vivid recollection of an airplane was in 1954 at the age of five as I disembarked off what I had been told was a “Super G Constellation” from New York to Los Angeles. I vividly remember descending down the air stair, turning back to look at the airplane, seeing three verticals, and getting goose bumps. I remember nothing else of that flight. Those goose bumps still come back, most notably now every time I see a lone Connie sitting near the north end at SLN seemingly ready and willing to fly.
One of the most beautiful planes ever created, without a doubt
The ex-Slick 1049H/G, painted in TWA colors at Kansas City Downtown is well worth a visit. Great staff there too. Not sure if they are open right now re Covid though.
There are some great photos of Clay Lacy racing a DC-7 at Reno. Wish I had seen that.
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Whoops, not Reno, California 1000.
After 65 years, they (Lycoming/Honeywell) should know the engine pretty well by now!