Arguably the most graceful and beautiful airliner ever built, the Lockheed Constellation celebrated its 60th birthday in 2003. Conceived by Howard Hughes in the late 1930’s, the Constellation represented the ultimate in airline performance and luxury during the 1950’s with 856 being built for commercial and military customers. Quickly displaced from frontline service by jet airliners in the 1960’s, there are at least fifty-five “survivors” of the mass scrappings of the 1960’s and 70’s, with two still flying regularly on the airshow circuit.
GREAT NEWS FROM AIR BRITAIN!
The long awaited update to Peter Marson’s 1982 Constellation book has been published and is available from Air-Britain! What great news for all of those Connie fans who weren’t around to purchase the book in 1982 or haven’t been able to get their hands on a used copy. I recently received my copy of the book and found it to be a wonderfully detailed compilation of information regarding this classic aircraft. I highly recommend it to anyone who has any interest in the Lockheed Constellation aircraft series. It is a must buy for the serious propliner enthusiast! Peter’s first Constellation monograph was published by Air Britain in 1969 and contained a mere 70 pages. The much expanded 1982 version contained 510 pages and has been the standard reference book for the past 25 years. The two volume 600 page book has been released and can be ordered from the Air Britain website. The book includes over 100 color photos, 500+ black and white photos and 70 color line drawings by Michael Zoeller. The 130 page production history provides a detailed history of all 856 aircraft.
SURVIVORS
CONSTELLATION NEWS
Museum of Flight Super Connie Restoration Project Update – May 6, 2008
ARTICLES
SCFA Super Connie - Hamburg Airport Days - September 2007 - by Rainer Spoddig
United Airlines Employees Spearhead Restoration of NASM Super Connie - January 2008
SCFA Flying Adventure - Part 2 - September 2006 - by Rainer Spoddig
SCFA Flying Adventure - Part 1 - June 2006 - by Rainer Spoddig
The Crash of L1049H N45516 on 11 May 1975 near Mesa, Arizona - by Cam and Chris Baird
Colchane's Mystery Starliner - April 2006 - by Steven Raczynski
Super Connie Crash Landing at NAS Fallon in December 1952 - January 2006
Auction of The Chacalutta Connie - January 2006 - by Steven Raczynski
Navy WV-2 Super Connie Crash at McMurdo Sound in 1960 - October 2005 - by Ricky DeRoo
SAVE-A-CONNIE Celebrates TWA's 75th Anniversary - June 2000 - by Michael S. Prophet
Chacalutta Connie - A Good Girl Gone Bad - May 2004 - by Rob Jennings
Connie's Comeback From The Cockpit - January 2003 - by Henk de Waard
Connie's Comeback - Restoration of L749A N749NL - September 2002
The Impossible Dream - Starliner N974R Flies Again - October 2001
LINKS
BOOK NEWS
Gary Squire's long-awaited story of the HARS Connie is now available. Gary has been intimately involved in the project from the beginning, so he is the ideal person to write this compelling story. The book is A5 size with 137 pages and includes many previously unpublished photographs in colour and black and white. Several colour profiles of "Connie" in her various incarnations were prepared by noted aviation artist Juanita Franzi specially for the book. The author describes in great detail the search for the aeroplane, its acquisition, its restoration and culminates in its triumphant arrival in Sydney. As an active participant in the project, Gary is able to convey to the reader all the trials, tribulations and disappointments which would have defeated a less dedicated team. This is not just the story of an aeroplane, albeit a very special one. It is the story of the people who realised the long-held dream of generations of Australians who love beautiful aeroplanes. Appendices include reproductions of the various official documents which facilitated Connie's historic flight to Australia. There are also technical specifications and a listing of all Connies currently flying worldwide. If you are interested in Connies, this book will not disappoint. "Bringing Connie Home" is highly recommended. For information on ordering the book: Bringing Connie Home
CREDITS AND SOURCES
The Lockheed Constellation Series, Peter J. Marson, Air-Britain Publication, 2007
Piston Engine Airliner Production List, A.B. Eastwood and J. Roach, TAHS, October 2002
Lockheed Constellation, Stewart Wilson, Notebook Publications, 2001
Propliner Aviation Magazine
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----Created 26 January 2004------Updated 6 May 2008----
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