Lockheed Constellation Survivors

N6937C c/n 4830

L1049H N6937C october 20, 1967 L1049H N6937C June 1969 L1049H N6937C July 16, 2003
At San Francisco on October 20, 1967 while in service with Airlift International (Stephen Miller) Operated for a short time by Bal Trade, aircraft is pictured at Miami in June 1979 (J. Roger Bentley) Engines turning at Downtown Kansas City Airport on July 16, 2003 (RM Pettersen)
  • Current registration - N6937C
  • After completed as L1049H N5400V, stored at Lockheed Aircraft, Burbank, CA due to cancelled order
  • To Slick Airways September 17, 1959 as N6937C
  • To Airlift International July 1, 1966
  • To Bal Trade November 14, 1968
  • Stored at Miami, FL from 1970 and seized by airport for non-payment of parking fees June 1971
  • To Aircraft Airframe Inc June 18, 1971
  • Leased to Vortex Inc October 1971 and possibly spring 1972
  • Leased to Sky Trucks International September 12, 1972
  • To Aircraft Specialties Inc February 12, 1973
  • Converted to a sprayer at Mesa, AZ with fuselage tanks and full span spray booms
  • Stored at Mesa, AZ by 1975
  • Sale to Science Museum, London, England fell through October 1979
  • Sale to Air Trader International fell through June 1980
  • To Paul Pristo at the Globe Air Auction at Mesa, AZ October 1985 for $4,000
  • Save-A-Connie (SAC) organization began restoration at Mesa in May 1986 and aircraft ferried to group's headquarters at Downtown Kansas City Airport July 15, 1986
  • Paul Pristo donated aircraft to Save-A-Connie December 1986 and named "Star of America"
  • Major overhaul performed 1987-1988 and aircraft painted in 1950's era TWA color scheme less TWA titles
  • Formally dedicated July 9, 1988
  • Extended radar nose installed December 1990 - January 1991 during annual inspection
  • TWA titles replaced SAC titles 1996
  • SAC renamed Airline History Museum April 2000
  • Interior completely renovated winter 2002-2003
  • Aircraft is the only airworthy ex-civilian Constellation as all others are ex-military
  • Aircraft grounded since July 20, 2005 when the #2 engine suffered a catastrophic failure during run-up
  • Newly overhauled engine installed on aircraft and failed during a test flight on July 22, 2006. Returned to the overhaul shop in California for repairs
  • Successful engine runs were performed on July 10, 2007. Museum working on getting flight crews certified and aircraft airworthy in the fall of 2008
  • Aircraft still grounded but all four engines have been regularly run in 2010
  • A detailed inspection was performed on the aircraft's wing spar August 2012 and no significant corrosion was found


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