From the Hangars

Where Delta's history takes flight!

Two new planes

Apr 28, 2014

It’s not very often we add new aircraft to the Museum’s fleet, so yesterday was a special day. With the help of a great Delta and DOT group, Ship 608, a Boeing 757-200 painted in its original livery, and Ship 9880, a DC-9-50 wearing its retirement livery, were brought over to the Museum from the Technical Operations Center across the airport. 

In the 1940s, the Museum’s Historic Hangars 1 & 2 were Delta’s regular maintenance hangars and were on Atlanta Airport property. Over the years, the airport has moved a few times, staying within the general area. In the 1980s, Woolman Place road was built and that severed the hangars from airport property. Therefore, moving Museum aircraft to and from the airport is never easy. It takes a lot of coordination between Delta, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Homeland Security, Landmark Aviation, DHL, and FedEx. 

Preparations to move the 757 and DC-9 began weeks ago. Conversations were had, plans were drawn, and on Saturday night, the aircraft made their way to our side of the airport. On Sunday morning, the planes made their final trip – to the Museum.

4-27-14 Moving planes 1

Ship 9880 came out first.

4-27-14 Moving planes 2

Across Woolman Place.

4-27-14 Moving planes 3

Ship 608 immediately followed.

4-27-14 Moving planes 4

The airplane parade continued onto Delta property.

4-27-14 Moving planes 5

4-27-14 Moving planes 6

Meet Ship 9880.

4-27-14 Moving planes 7

This is Ship 608.

4-27-14 Moving planes 8

Into position at the Museum entrance.  View from the road.

4-27-14 Moving planes 9

View from the parking lot.

4-27-14 Moving planes crew

Many thanks go out all who helped make the move a success!

Tiffany Meng

Museum Director

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33 comments

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  1. Mike B | Sep 03, 2022
    Being part of the Delta family in the 1980’s Delta’s flagship is definatley the L10-11,loved flying on     and servicing the best ride in the sky.Would be       awsome to revisit a complete one at the museum!!
  2. Earl Mathews | Aug 20, 2015

    Hi Tiffany,

    The 'DC-9' looks to me like an MD-80.  I was there in the 60's when we first got the DC-9 and the livery was much different.  The tail didn't get that read/blue paint until after I retired in 1991.  I wish you could have gotten an older model.  but thanks for doing a good job with the museum.

    Earl Mathews 005620100  (originally just 5620)

  3. stan bator | Mar 14, 2015
    my dad was a captain on that plane the 757. one of the first planes with a glass cockpit . he loved flying it and of all the planes he flew at eastern airlines this was his favorite one to fly . 
  4. Julian Avila | Aug 12, 2014
    Are there any plans in the near future for the purchase of a Boeing 727 aircraft?
  5. Mike McLees | Jul 30, 2014

    Congrats! Looking forward to visiting the DELTA AIR LINES Museum.  Over my 35 years traveling & filling 5 passports, I have enjoyed flying DELTA.  FLY ON!

  6. Chuck Brenner | Jul 19, 2014
    Thank you for preserving these historic planes.  I am looking forward to visiting the museum the next time I'm in Atlanta.
  7. Tom Nogosek | Jul 03, 2014
    Great that the museum was able to add an original Delta 757 and a DC9 from Nothwest, I was wondering if there is any chance that an original 727 from either Delta or Northwest will be added, the 727 is a significant aircraft to passenger air service and both Delta and Northwest were a very big user of the 727, I think it would be a great addition to the museum.  Tom
  8. David DiSera | Jun 30, 2014
    Great to see these airplanes again! I worked on both of these ships when I was in Tech Ops. I started march 1, 1982 and left Delta in September 1995 to move closer to faimily in Wisconsin. Would love to see the musuem when I can plan a trip to ATL again.
  9. James Larry Helms | Jun 24, 2014
    And what a terrific job someone has done with this fantastic Museum, and thanks to Delta for permitting  it and making it possible. Been there in the original facility and looking with great anticipation to seeing the "new" facility and the beautiful facelift. Thanks to the Volunteers and Delta for a wonderful job.
  10. James Larry Helms | Jun 24, 2014

    Having been a regular visitor/toddler/Teenager/Delta employee, and working in those two hangars, it is strange to see what it takes to move an airplane on to that property. I first visited Hangar One about 1937 when my father was a Delta mechanic, and I entered what was the main entrance in 1951 as a Delta mechanic myself. Amazing what politics and Government take a toll on what should be a straight forward and easy operation.

     

  11. PRAMOD (PJ) PATEL | Jun 14, 2014

    Dear Director,

    I have been looking forward to this opening for awhile, and look forward to making my visit to your museum.

    This December 2014 It will be 27 years flying with Delta Airlines and its been a great ride so far. As a Diamond Medallion, 4 Million Miler and Flying Colonal, I have flew all types of planes Delta has in its inventory.

    Due to my busy schedule I am planning to visit the museum very soon.

    If I could be of any help please feel free to let me know and look forward to the visit.

    Thank you,

    Pramod Patel

    FF# xxxxxxxxxx

    PH: x-xxx-xxx-xxxx

  12. Lynn Peter | May 27, 2014

    I HAVE BEEN RETIRED FROM DELTA AIR LINES FOR THE PAST 12 1/2 YEARS AFTER ALMOST 38 YEARS OF SERVICE AS A F/A.  IT THRILLS ME TO WATCH HOW WONDERFULLY THESE YOUNGER FELLOW EMPLOYEES KEEP OUR AIRLINE FLYING HIGH IN EVERY MANNER.   I AM SO GRATEFUL TO WATCH, FROM HOME, MY DEAR COMPANY CONTINUE TO THRIVE AND BE SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE OF THE NEWER GENERATION.                                        "  LET'S KEEP IT GOING DELTA "  WE WILL ALWAYS BE THE BEST !!!!!!!!                         MANY, MANY THANKS ALWAYS............LYNN PETER    DEPT #611     ATL

  13. Ken S | May 21, 2014
    I'm sure that I am not the only person who has thought of this and I am not trying to be critical of all your hard and fantastic work, but I have question regarding the selection of the DC9 for display.   I would have thought that one of the older models that was originally purchased new by Delta that later flew in several other airlines colors ending with Northwest would have been chosen.
  14. JOn | May 17, 2014
    Now all you need is a beautiful L-1011-500
  15. Walter Flanagan | May 08, 2014

    Looks great !!

    I was working in operations the day the first DC-9 arrived.

    Hired 10/09/1965 and retired 11/01/2000

  16. Gary | May 05, 2014

    It sure would have been nice if one of the original historical North Central -50's was selected to display.

  17. Randy Sohn | May 04, 2014

    Flew that DC-9 dash 50 a lot at North Central and happy that it is being preserved.  And I dunno, is that 75 the one that the Delta employees gave to the company?

  18. James P. hester | May 01, 2014
    Congrats on your Museum progress, and looking FWD to visit same when ur project is completed. JPH ORD/125 Ret. 12/01/01
  19. Annette & Jerry | Apr 30, 2014

    So proud of our museum. We so lucky to have worked for such a wonderful company.  Thanks to everyone that had worked so hard to make it so special!!!!

  20. Wandering Justin | Apr 30, 2014

    I really like that Delta has a museum. What a great way to preserve your history! It would be great if every airline did something like this. Airlines aren't just any business, and I think museums would be a great way to recognize their roles in connecting places and people. 

  21. RICHARD FREY | Apr 30, 2014
    Ms.Meng, I have recently ordered a commenarative brick in honor of my father,Joseph H Frey.He was instrumental from 1953-1978 in formulating Delta's advertising campaigns nationally and internationally.He worked along side many of the founding principles of Delta from its formative stages.As a result of this combined advertising effort, he himself has appeared in several newspaper full page ads featuring manyof Delta's campaigns.My family has several  of these full page ads that we would like to offer the museum if you think they would be appropriate?.My son,Andy Frey, works for Delta in the pilot training program.You can either reply to him or myself.Congratulations on the upcoming opening of the museum.I look forward to visiting it.
  22. Ed Brent | Apr 30, 2014

    It is great to see the Delta Family working together. 

    Thanks for the memories.

    Ed Brent

    retired with 30 + years of service

     

  23. Richard Price | Apr 29, 2014

    Great job..............when I started for Delta in 1963, I lived a short time across the street from the hanger and walked to work since I had no car at that time.  Cannot wait to come and see it.      Thanks to all for sure.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  24. Bo Mulllins | Apr 29, 2014

    I believe, our grandson, Scotty Slonaker, was instrumental in moving theses aircraft. It would be nice if we could get some photos of him during the move if possible?

    Thanks,

    Bo Mulllins - ACS Training Instructor/Developer - Retired

  25. Joe | Apr 29, 2014

    So nice to see all the history in these planes preserved. I wonder how many times I saw theses planes fly over my house in the Boston area. Probably flew on that 757 myself back in the day. 

  26. Steve Amirault | Apr 29, 2014

    My Dad Charlie Amirault worked for Delta ( and Northeast) for over 30 years in Boston. He will be so proud to see this Delta tradition continue. He loved Delta, and still does.

     

  27. Milton Crisler | Apr 29, 2014

    I retired from Delta in 2002. My great uncle worked there in the early four ties . I have his ID badge. I think it's employee no. 348. Would like to donate to the museum.

  28. Judy Kell Beall | Apr 28, 2014

    The Delta Museum is very special for me. As a F/A I was on both of these aircraft.

    Lots of memories with this location as a child who grew up in College Park . My Father , an attorney, started with Delta in July 1945 and growing up in the "Delta family" was special and to see the museum grow and maintain the spirit  for all Delta employees is heart warming.

    Thank you Tiffany for all that you and others have achieved in creating a lasting museum for Delta, a wonderful company . 

  29. Judy Charles | Apr 28, 2014

    Fantastic! I am a 46 yr. flight attendant and I am SO PROUD to work for Delta Air Lines....what a beautiful hangar and thank everyone who worked so hard to make it a reality!

  30. Beverly Harding | Apr 28, 2014
    Wow!!  This brings happy tears to my eyes.  Can't wait to come see this up close, because it is personal!  So many great memories. 
  31. Jack Johnson | Apr 28, 2014
          I was there from Oct.59 til Feb 95..   A wonderful, Great time. Museum looks fantastic.
  32. F DeWitt Beckett | Apr 28, 2014

    I am proud to have grown up in Monroe, LA and proud to have been around and flying Delta since a small boy.  Delta has continued to grow and even though the base is now in Atlanta, Monroe and Delta will always be connected.

    Great job with the museum!

     

  33. Glenn Peeples | Apr 28, 2014

    They look great. Love the livery on the 757

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