Eastern Air Lines Martin 404 - "Gate, Taxi & Take-off" - 1961

Silent film from the Rick Prelinger Archives archive.org/details/prelinger VERY RARE scenes of an Eastern Martin 404 "Golden Falcon" N474A, on the ramp at I think somewhere in Delaware? I'm sorry for the very rough film quality...Martinliner footage is VERY LEAN & HARD TO FIND, so any 202/404 footage is good footage. Super Connie, Twin Beech and Bell 47G included. Be sure to check my channel for the best in VINTAGE & RARE airliner videos! / classicairlinerfilms

[@shantyirish7564]

Friends waving goodbye from the tarmac! What a sweet bygone time.

[@cessnaverdi]

True, but I wouldn't want to be anywhere near those props! 😬

[@tombrown1898]

My first few flights were on a Piedmont Airlines Martin 404. What a great plane! Loud, rough, and slow...but reliable as could be.

[@copperman752]

As a 4-year-old in 1958, I remember my first ride in a commercial airliner. All these years later I realized it was a DC-7 piston prop, otherwise known as a "Connie". It had the 3 fins on the tail. It was either American Airlines or United, I don't know which. I just remember 4 drop-dead gorgeous stewardesses in cobalt blue uniforms with pillbox hats and white gloves, smiling at me and my brother and tousling our hair playfully. Being given a piece of gum and not realizing it was to help my ears pop, since cabin pressure back then was "iffy". Then lots of noise and smoke as the engines started. But also lots of warm TLC that you don't see now. You're right, Shanty Irish. It's a bygone era, like "Gone With The Wind," literally.

[@WAL_DC-6B]

Actually, neither United nor American operated Lockheed Constellations (affectionately called a "Connie") in 1958 but both airlines operated a fleet of Douglas DC-7s at that time. Could your flight have instead been on board a TWA or Eastern Airlines triple tail Constellation?

[@copperman752]

@@WAL_DC-6B I dunno. I was only 4; I only remember seeing a lot of blue everywhere.

[@sarjim4381]

Looks like an ex-military Beechcraft C-45. All very rare film images, thanks for posting it.

[@1FelixTheCat]

Found you because of MUSTARD. Awesome footage ! Thank you !

[@airailimages]

Good to see the Martin. Thumbs up!

[@johneddy908]

Eastern later added Convair 440 Metropolitans to back up the Martin 4-0-4s. Both were marketed as "Silver Falcons."

[@granskare]

I had collected postcards of the Martin's as well as the Convairs - it seems that the tail of the Martin is a bit different - check them yourself and see- as to use a search engine.

[@Sakura_Matou]

I Think that airport is KILG in New Castle Delaware.

[@williammitchem8274]

I think that is New Castle airport in Delaware.

[@notyourbusiness2335]

Hi, I just wanted to say that I miss you, maybe return back to publish there videos

[@aeroair4724]

Ever heard of the greater southwest intl. Airport in Dallas TX?