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| Design of the Lockheed L-49 began in 1939 to meet the requirement of Pan American Airways and Transcontinental & Western Air (now Trans World Airlines), for a 40-passenger airliner for use on domestic routes. Manufacture was initiated but with the outbreak of World War II aircraft on the production line were commandeered for service with the USAAF as transports under the designation C-69, the first being flown on 9 January 1943. A total of 22 entered USAAF service before the contract cancellations following VJ-Day. Production of civil aircraft then began under the company designation L-049 Constellation, using components that had been intended for C-69s, but with the interiors completed to airline standard and with basic accommodation for 43 to 48 passengers, or a maximum of 60 in a high-density layout. The first Constellation was certificated for civil operations on 11 December 1945, the type entering service first with Pan Am and TWA, the latter inaugurating a regular US-Paris service on 6 February 1946.
The first true civil Constellations were Lockheed L-649 aircraft with 2,500hp Wright 749C-18BD-1 engines and far more luxurious interiors seating 48 to 64 passengers as standard, or 81 in a high-density arrangement. This version was replaced in production during 1947 by the longer-range L-749 with additional fuel yet able to carry the same payload, but by the end of 1949 the demand for air travel was increasing and operators were then looking for aircraft of greater capacity. This brought development of the L-1049 Super Constellation, with the fuselage lengthened by 5.59m, and Super 'Connies' entered service during their production life with a variety of interior layouts that could seat a maximum of 109 passengers. Last of the civil Constellation-derived airliners was the L-1649A Starliner, with a completely new wing of increased span and with far greater fuel capacity, providing a range considerably in excess of any of its predecessors. When production ended in the late 1950s a total of 856 aircraft of all versions, both civil and military, had been built.
| MODEL | L-749 |
| PASSENGERS | 48-81 |
| ENGINE | 4 x 2500hp Wright R-3350-749C18BD |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 48534 kg | 107000 lb |
| Empty weight | 25670 kg | 56593 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 37.49 m | 123 ft 0 in |
| Length | 29.66 m | 97 ft 4 in |
| Height | 6.83 m | 22 ft 5 in |
| Wing area | 148.20 m2 | 1595.21 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Cruise speed | 555 km/h | 345 mph |
| Ceiling | 7350 m | 24100 ft |
| Range | 4185 km | 2601 miles |
 | A three-view drawing (600 x 372) |
| Lee Mullen, e-mail, 25.02.2010 20:16 My Mom worked for TWA in St. Louis in the 40's and had a small lapel pin of a Connie when that aircraft went into service there. She has passed this on down to my Son and it a very special keepsake. reply | | Ken Bendy, e-mail, 17.02.2010 04:00 I was a Flight Engineer in Navy Squadron VW-13 from 1963-1965 homeported in Argentia newfoundland. We flew the WV2 Willy Victor (later known as the EC-121K). We deployed to Keflavik Iceland every 28 days for 14-16 days. During that time we flew 8 sets of 12 hour flights as part of the North Atlantic Barrier (DEW Line). It was a great airplane that got us through some of the worst weather in the world. Feathered my share of those old turbo-compound R3350-42 engines though. It was a real engineer's airplane...couldn't fly the plane without us! Best and most professional duty I had in my 34 year Navy Career. Loved those Connies! reply |
| Chuck Maerten, e-mail, 02.02.2010 03:09 Aug 17, 1961. Transferring from Ramstein AB, Germany to Andrews AFB, Md, our flight was on the Super Connie from
Rhein-Main to McGuire AFB, NJ. This was my wife's first
ever flight. She was a German citizen then. Our daughter,
2 years and 2 months. Also her first flight. Lasted 24
hours with refueling stops at Shannon /Prestwick and Harmon
AB, Nflnd. My parents and brother were at McGuire awaiting our arrival. Seems ONE person slipped thru the cracks and didn't have an up to date shot record. The plane was "quaranteened" for two hours. Hot! Smelly diapers all over. Finally set foot on NJ soil. But, the
"first flight" (of many AF moves) was one to remember as very comfortable, pleasant and, now, a fond memory. Later,
flew as radio op on VC-118 out of Elmendorf. reply | | Bill Locher, e-mail, 19.01.2010 14:37 I flew on Super Connies out of Guam as a Typhoon Tracker for almost 4 years(46 months) in the 60's. I logged 3300 hours chasing storms and flying low-level radar missions in the Tonkin Gulf. They always brought us home, sometimes on less than 4 engines but always made it. I'm very fortunate to have been a crew member on these great old planes. reply | |
| | Phillip Carroll, e-mail, 08.01.2010 01:30 The First Aircraft I ever worked on as an US Navy Electrian Mate In JaX, Fl 1969 to 1972. We flew Haricanes and weather related missions. The A /C would fly forever on one fueling.. I think over 20 hours in the air. reply | | Dick Beck, e-mail, 01.01.2010 18:39 I did a tour in the EC121 (Willy Victor)in Iceland in the mid-60's. This adaptation had a big hump on top (height finder)and a big radome on the bottom. We flew out of Keflavik and covered the Atlantic between Iceland / Norway and Greenland as part of the DEW line. The airplane just inspired confidence. It was comfortable in weather and just solid as a rock. A real sweetheart! reply | | Ted Dahlfors, e-mail, 31.12.2009 17:27 I had the privilege of flying the military version (C-121) of the Super Constellation as an Instructor Pilot for the Military Airlift Transport Service (USAF) out of Charleston AFB, SC from 1958 to 1962 when we gave them to the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. While it was a maintenance nightmare if anything went wrong, due to all the redundant systems, when it all worked it was a wonderful and easy airplane to fly. We flew them all over the world and I enjoyed every minute of it. reply | | Harry Anderson, e-mail, 01.12.2009 04:34 When I was a child, my father was the civilian Fire Chief, Federal Civil Service, stationed at Midway Island, 1959 through 1963.There was a US Navy Squadron VP 50 stationed at Midway and they flew the "Willy Victor" Connies with the super charged engines. They were sub finders I believe with huge fiberglass humps top and bottom to accomodate radar equipment. I always enjoyed hearing the engines run up on the connies. They had such a powerful deep sound which could be heard where ever you were on the Island. Nothing in the flying world has the sound of a connie. I was fascinated with the aircraft as a kid. I still hear those engines in the distance when I wish to recall wonderful childhood memories. reply | | Bobba, e-mail, 27.10.2009 05:17 Old but Powerful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! reply | | Wouter Hobe, e-mail, 25.09.2009 03:46 On arrival of the plane from the Far east at Schiphol airport I suddenly saw the flight engeneer running around the front to the passenger door,(he had jumped out of the little door on the right of the cockpit) with shiveled uniform and tusseled hair. When the new stewardess opened the door, she almost fainted as they had instructed her to make sure everybody was on board, she thaught that he had hung at the door since leaving Frankfurt. reply | | Wouter Hobe, e-mail, 25.09.2009 03:45 On arrival of the plane from the Far east at Schiphol airport I suddenly saw the flight engeneer running around the front to the passenger door,(he had jumped out of the little door on the right of the cockpit) with shiveled uniform and tusseled hair. When the new stewardess opened the door, she almost fainted as they had instructed her to make sure everybody was on board, she thaught that he had hung at the door since leaving Frankfurt. reply | | Nelson A. Perez, e-mail, 25.03.2009 13:54 I was a child when I had my first airplane ride on June 17, 1958. Cubana airlines flew the constelation from Havana to NY. I believe it took around 7 hrs. I have since flown almost every commercial airliner, but that ride will always be with me, great plane. reply | | Gérard Juéry, e-mail, 03.01.2009 18:42 Bonjour,
I am searching the plans (draft)of the Lockeed Constellation (first model) in order to make a static scale model. I find this plane magnificient !
Please help me to find the plans.
Gérard (from Biarritz, France) reply | | Tony Lopez, e-mail, 12.10.2008 10:50 I FLEW ON CHARTER FLYING TIGER SUPER CONNIE RETURNING FROM KOREA 1957 reply | |
| | Chuck Holzer, e-mail, 30.07.2008 06:22 My first ever plane ride was on a TWA Connie from Amarillo, TX to Albuquerque, NM on 5 Dec, 1961. Beautiful, both inside and out. Many years later, I was talking to a friend at the local airport, when he mentioned he was a retired TWA Captain, and was hired as a Connie FE. He used to fly that route, checked his log books, and was actually the FE on that flight. His name was Roy Geisert. Small world indeed. reply | | Jim Wright, e-mail, 28.07.2008 19:33 I had the privilege of flying as engineer, co-pilot and captain on the 1049 and 1649 Connies. Of all of the airplanes I have flown, the Connie is the finest. A grand and very capable airplane. Those four Wright 3350's were like a choir to my ears. I have many fond memories of 16C and 83H which were my favorites. reply | | justin farrell, e-mail, 09.09.2007 21:34 Did yo know the constelation is one of
the most sucessfull airliners ever build?
And i think it is one of the most magnificant! reply |
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I was the ACICO on Captain Larsen crew, CREW 1 1964-1965. Remember the Scotland trips after the last barrier before returning to Arg.
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