Lockheed Constellation
The Lockheed Constellation (English colloquial: " Connie " ), is a four-engine propeller aircraft and was in the early 1940s at the suggestion of billionaire Howard Hughes Lockheed in Burbank (California ) developed. She was the basic model of a series that ended in 1956 with the Starliner.
The type was used both in civil and in military aviation and came as a transport machine in the Berlin Airlift and as a government plane (Air Force One ) for U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower used. The Constellation used from February 1946 at the regular service was next to the only 10 times built Boeing B- 307, the first long-range airliner with an "air cycle air conditioning " ( pressurized cabin ). The two types thus stood at the beginning of the mass markets business aviation and air tourism.
- 6.1 Restored Constellations
Variants
The Lockheed Constellation series was an extremely successful series, which 1943 Constellation, 1950, the Super Constellation, and finally the 1956 Starliner brought forth. The latter is considered to this day along with the competition pattern Douglas DC- 7C as a technical highlight of the long-range aircraft with piston engines. All versions of the Constellation series up to the Lockheed Starliner of radial engines were the manufacturer Wright, driven in different designs and services.
History
The History of the Constellation began in 1939 when Lockheed worked on behalf of TWA and Pan American a project for a 40 -seat long-range airliner. The first prototype NX25800 had its first flight on January 9, 1943. Since the United States had in the meantime entered the Second World War, intended for civilian airlines airplanes were used under the designation C -69 as a military transporter. They provided valuable services. A large separate purchase of USAAF was shortened because of the looming war ended in the spring of 1945, 73 aircraft, of which 22 aircraft in 1945 have been taken over by May. The remaining 51 machines were still in the factory a civilian interior for 33 to 48 passengers; they could carry up to 60 passengers with close seating. These aircraft were admitted under the name L.149 on 1 December 1945, the civil air transport. As the first airline Pan American launched on 3 February 1946 on the route New York - Bermuda scheduled operations with the Constellation. Up to three copies of all military C -69 were sold to civilian operators and received the type designation L- 049th
On October 19, 1946 started with the Lockheed L -649, the first built from the start for the civil aviation Constellation for its maiden flight. The L.649 could carry depending on model 48-81 passengers. Designed for the pure cargo use L- 649A, of which only four machines have been built, had increased cell for a maximum payload of 10,200 kg. 1947 L.649 was replaced by the L -749. This version corresponds in principle to the previous pattern, but allowed additional integral tanks in the outer wings extending the range 6,400 km, so that the route New York to Paris was overcome in the non-stop flight ( previously were the aircraft before crossing the Atlantic in Newfoundland - Airport Gander - to refueling landed ). From this variation, a total of 50 aircraft were built.
The highlight of the Constellation series, the L- 749A, which was available on the market from the summer of 1948 and were built by the total of 60 machines was. As the available cargo spaces were no longer sufficient for the utilization of the maximum working load at the L.749/749A, Lockheed developed for these versions an external cargo container ( Speed Pack ) 2,000 kg payload, which was fixed under the central hull with quick release buckles and carried when required could be.
Overall, Lockheed built 252 machines all Constellation versions (without Super Constellations ), including 28 military C -69. Larger Constellation fleets were talking next to Pan American and TWA, the Eastern Air Lines, KLM, Air France, Air India and South African Airways.
Versions
L -049 Constellation
L- 1049 Super Constellation
See: Lockheed Super Constellation
The L -1049 was extended by 5.59 m and had a maximum of 109 seats. A total of 564 civilian and military models were built.
L -1649 Starliner
See: Lockheed Starliner
C-69/C-121 Constellation
Specifications
Lockheed Constellation L.749A