On April 17, 1975, Elvis bought a Convair 880 jet that had been retired from Delta Airlines and named it after his only daughter, Lisa Marie
The purchase price was the enormous sum of $ 250,000
The aircraft was registered on May 2nd, 1975 with the “Department for Transportation” under the registration number N880EP.
After the successful renovation, the Convair 880 now had a bedroom in the back of the jet, two bathrooms (with a 24kt gold washbasin), a bar and a conference room.
The aircraft was propelled by 4 General Electric jet engines (CJ-805-3A) which together brought it to an output of 11,650 horsepower. This motorization made a top speed of 990 km / h possible.
the range of the Convair 880 was an impressive 5120 KM and the maximum flight altitude was 12500 meters
Technical data Convair 880
Manufacturer: Convair (Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation)
Aircraft type: CCV 880 (built 1959-1962); First flight: 01/27/1959; Number of pieces built: 6
Engine: 4 jet engines / 11200 HP
General Electric CJ805-3 Turbojet engine type
Airplane number: N880EP
Radio code: 880 Echo Papa
Nicknamed: Hound Dog One, Flying Graceland
Range: 5120 km
Aircraft length: 39.4 m
Span: 36.5 m
Top speed: 990 km / h (615.16 mph)
Max. Flight altitude: 12500 m
Climb: 18.1 m per second
Stall: 194 km / h (120.55 mph)
Start distance: 2454 m
Landing distance: 1875 m
Weight empty: 42 to. max. 83 to.
Tank volume: 40500 liters
Flight consumption: 6440 liters / hour; Start consumption when taking off: 8328 liters / hour
Pilots: Elwood David (Captain), Ron Strauss