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| The next stage in development of the Constellation was the L-1049 Super Constellation with lengthened fuselage, strengthening for higher gross weight, increased fuel capacity and more powerful engines. The first prototype Super Constellation (a conversion of the original C-69 prototype) flew for the first time on 13 October 1950. First in commercial service (on 15 December 1951) was one owned by Eastern Air Lines. This version could accommodate 71 first-class or 95 coach-class passengers (14 delivered to Eastern and ten to TWA during 1951-52). A number of improved variants followed - the last and most important being the L-1649A Starliner, regarded as the ultimate development of the piston-engined civil airliner.
L-1049 Super Constellation were in use by both the USAF and US Navy under a variety of C-121 and R7V designations respectively.
| MODEL | L-1049G |
| CREW | 4 |
| PASSENGERS | 62-109 |
| ENGINE | 4 x 3400hp Wright R-3350-972T-C18DA-3 |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 4õ3400 kg | 9 lb |
| Empty weight | 33119 kg | 73015 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 37.62 m | 123 ft 5 in |
| Length | 35.41 m | 116 ft 2 in |
| Height | 7.55 m | 25 ft 9 in |
| Wing area | 154.40 m2 | 1661.95 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Cruise speed | 589 km/h | 366 mph |
| Ceiling | 6950 m | 22800 ft |
| Range | 6700 km | 4163 miles |
| Melven Mortensen ATR 3, e-mail, 14.01.2012 08:37 I flew onboth the reply | | Ken Heuser, e-mail, 17.12.2011 21:33 Boy I could write a book. Jan 1953 to Aug. 1959. 552 PM Sq. McClellan AFB Sacramento Caif. I worked on our 'pregnet guppys' You name it I did it, on them. Best time of my life. Checked one out just last Sat. It was one that I had did the paint job on before going on display. Also checked out one of the 3350 exaust turbo compound engines that was on display. I remember the time that all 4 engines had to be changedall the same time, because of time. I remember the 18 hour missions going now here just boring holes in the sky. reply | | Ronald A. Miller, e-mail, 13.11.2011 21:21 First Flight in the Connie VQ-2 was with Dennis Bourn as my 1st Radioman. Made a trip with him were we bought Honda 305 Motorcycles. Traveled the Med, Europe, and Scandinvia in that Good old Gal. Buno's 131390, 131391, and 135757 EC121M's gave me 2300 Hours in 2.5 years. Then to VXN8 Det WestPac for 250 hours in RN7V Blue Eagle Aircraft at DaNang and Siagon, Radio and TV Transmitters.
Ronald A. Miller CWO4 /ATNAN-ATCS reply | | Jack (Toby) Tyler, e-mail, 09.11.2011 23:47 Served 1958-1962, USN. Completed AT school Millington, TN to Pax River, MD,to VW-2 (decomissioned), to AEWTULANT. ATN 2, Radioman /Radio Repair. Flew lots of hours on 145941 (last Connie built.) Did DEW Line patrols, deployed to Sigonilla, Sicialy, NASA contingency search and recovery for Project Mercury flights and other related missions. Favorite "gedunk run" was to Seattle WA World Fair. Lots of good memories, lots of fun. Hello to any of my shipmates who might be reading. I stay in touch with several Willy Victor sailors via ham radio, Sunday 22:00Z on 40 meters, 7.244 mhz. Join us if you can.
Proud to have served during the Cold War, helping to defend our FREEDOM. Fly Navy!!! reply | |
| | Paul Plesnicher, e-mail, 06.11.2011 06:27 I was stationed at McClellan AFB ,Sacramento,Ca. From FEB 1962 to Jul 1967 & I was assigned 552nd OMS,and later was the crew chief on 0414.I was constantly gone TDY someplace.
The designation RC-121-D was what I started with and was later changed to EC-121D. This aircraft was sweet. I remember one time flying from Tianan AS, Tiawan to Tonsoneut Air Base, Siagon and we were flying into a weather front when we were struck by lightning,knocking out our galley,so we had to eat most of the food so not to loose it. My AC was Capt Figuro & Capt Smith. We had a lot fo good times.Anybody out there that was with the 552nd OMS from Feb-62 to Jul-67 contact me,I served with a bunch of good guys reply | | roger fulton, e-mail, 23.10.2011 04:16 flew in wv2 vw 11 1956 to 1960 we had 5 crashes one at pax river two on the runway at argentia one short of the runway one lost north of the azores never found can someone else tell me more about any of these reply | | John Azzolini ADR-3, e-mail, 02.10.2011 05:58 I only had 13 months left of my 4 year hitch,coming from Point Mugu.At Mugu I flew in C-54, C-45 and UH34 Helos. Mugu had EC-121,s, assigned to Pacific Missle Range.When I got to Guam, I worked in the Maintenance Shack for 6 months.I was assigned to Crew 6 for the duration. It was a blast.Sangley Point, Marie T's,Taipei,Atsugi,Chu Lai and Danang. I never flew any Barriers.They asked me to and I asked what would I do for 22 hours? Chief Eastman said I would cook. I promptly said "no thanks", I'll stay in Danang and keep the San Miguel cold.Great site,thanks 3 /69-5 /70 reply | | John Azzolini ADR-3, e-mail, 02.10.2011 05:53 I only had 13 months left of my 4 year hitch,coming from Point Mugu.At Mugu I flew in C-54, C-45 and UH34 Helos. Mugu had EC-121,s, assigned to Pacific Missle Range.When I got to Guam, I worked in the Maintenance Shack for 6 months.I was assigned to Crew 6 for the duration. It was a blast.Sangley Point, Marie T's,Taipei,Atsugi,Chu Lai and Danang. I never flew any Barriers.They asked me to and I asked what would I do for 22 hours? Chief Eastman said I would cook. I promptly said "no thanks", I'll stay in Danang and keep the San Miguel cold.Great site,thanks reply | | Hank Smith, e-mail, 29.08.2011 17:12 I was a crew member on EC-121R model Connies, Crew #40 at Korat, Thailand, 553rd and then at Otis AFB in EC-121H model Connies. As my friend, Denny Phillips says.....great bird !! reply | | Judith N Corbin, e-mail, 27.08.2011 01:34 I am looking for the Eastern Super Constellation that flew out of Havana on January 1, 1959. My mother-in-law as on that plane. My 6th graders are studying the Revolution and I just wanted more information. Thanks reply | | Don Gilliamsen, e-mail, 25.08.2011 03:18 I had the very distinct privilege of piloting the greatest piston engine airplane ever. I a retired Naval Aviator and my romance with the "Willy Victor" began at NAS Johnsville followed by tours in VW-13, Junior PPC, VW-4, VXE-6 (C-121J) and NAS Glynco. I logged over 6000 pilot hours in this magnificent airplane. Retired in 1975 and I truly miss the old bird. reply | | Doug Johnson ATW 2, e-mail, 20.08.2011 06:42 I see Earl Conro's name, as flight engineer. I was on Halladay's crew #2 in VW-13 from Jan 1964 thru July 1965. Remember a bunch of the crews since I worked in flight logs when back in Arg. Have only kept contact with Jimmy Holper. I got to go to Oslo, Prestwick, Gander and Penscola while there. Got quite a few color slides and imagine I will have Conro in some of them. Memory is not all that great. Riker and Kivula were the CICS officers in the back. Still have all my flight logs from those time. Went onto be a carrier jockey in VS 31 off CVS-18 home ported in Boston. A few lifetime ago. reply | | Richard, e-mail, 21.07.2011 03:07 I don't have much flight experience with the RC121 or thw WV2 awacs Connies.My association with these aircraft was as follows. In the early 1950's,five of us were tranferred from the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation Radar Lab to Lockheed Aircraft Service for the main purpose of preparing the first units for delivery to the Air Force and Navy.. We spent considerable operating time with both the APS 20 and APS 45 Radar systems. Some one in the comments I have read, mentioned having to replace the APS 20 Magnetron. You had to use Beryilium tools the magnetic attraction was excessive for the steel tools,..Spent many hours on the ground and to few in the air... reply | | todd@davistodd.com, 28.06.2011 18:16 Does anyone know about a possible Navy Connie crash near Kanton Island in the Phoenix Island group? It occurred on or around 4 /26 /1962. I have found no record of it yet a dear person I know said her dad died in this crash. It could have happened somewhere between Kanton Island and Fiji or right at the base that existed at the time,. reply |
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| | Dusty Rhoads, e-mail, 26.05.2011 04:31 i was in nAS Glynco 1961 / 1964 worked on the 6 constallations 143221 is now in the air muesun in pensacola fla. a little rust but still looks good. reply | | CHARLES POVEROMO, e-mail, 09.05.2011 21:15 Was a crew chief at Charleston afb,sc.1956-1960. I believe we had about 30 ac almost new. great airplane and great crews. reply | | Dennis Phillips, e-mail, 11.04.2011 20:24 Hey Lt. Flew with you many a time. Crew 35 in Korat and possibly out of Cape Cod also. 68-69. Check out the First Wave and other Batcat orgs. on the web. Next reunion is in Orlando Fl in Oct. And our 121's were quite a bird. Cheers, Denny reply | | Paul Gochnour, e-mail, 07.04.2011 15:14 I was in VW-15 & VR-1 at Patuxent River from 1956 until July 1959. After I was transferred to VR-1 two of my buddies still in VW-15, Stanley Gillette and Willie Graham were on a flight from the Azores back to Newfoundland when their plane disappeared and I am wondering if anyone could give me any information concerning this? reply |
| Don Allsep, e-mail, 05.04.2011 14:50 As F /E AEWBARRONPAC we started out on barrier and lost #3 engine 1 hour 10 minutes out. Turned and started cross track to return to MDY and lost #2 engine. Lost alt very rapidly from 7M to 3M and then dumped fuel . Ole Connie got us back to dry land unharmed. reply | | James Melvin, e-mail, 25.03.2011 06:59 I am writing to find any crew mates of my father LCDR. William "Buck" Melvin Jr. He passed away in 2008 and I would like information about his stint in AEWBARRONPAC. I think from years 1956 - 1962? Around that time. Thanks reply |
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Paul Gochnour
I remember an FAA flight facility checking Connie crashing at Canton island about that time. It was a long time ago but I seem to remember hearing that it was a training flight doing touch and go landings. The story was that the crew had reversed the propellers for a full stop but then applied full power for a take-off. #1 engine /prop was stuck in reverse causing the plane to cartwheel. As a civilian pilot flying Connies years later I have had #1 prop stick in reverse during a pre-takeoff runup and the Captain totally ignore the glowing reverse light on the forward pedestal. We did not take off though. Seems like there was 4 fatalities on the Canton Island accident.
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