Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
L-1049 Super Constellation | |
---|---|
Lockheed Super Constellation HB-RSC in flight in 2015 | |
Role | Airliner |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Lockheed Corporation |
First flight | 14 July 1951 |
Introduction | 15 December 1951 |
Retired | 1982,US Navy |
Status | Retired from commercial still 2 flying for usaf service, preserved examples flying as private aircraft |
Primary users | Eastern Air Lines Trans World Airlines |
Produced | 1951–1958 |
Number built | 259 (Commercial) 320 (Military) |
Developed from | Lockheed L-049 Constellation |
Variants | Lockheed C-121 Constellation Lockheed EC-121 Warning Star |
Developed into | Lockheed L-1249 Super Constellation Lockheed L-1649 Starliner |
This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2024) |
The Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation is an American aircraft, a member of the Lockheed Constellation aircraft line. The aircraft was colloquially referred to as the Super Connie.[1]
The L-1049 was Lockheed's response to the successful
Development
Beginning in 1943, Lockheed planned stretched variants of the Constellation family. The first was the L-049 with a fuselage lengthened by 13 feet (4.0 meters) and the second the L-749 stretched 18 feet (5.5 meters).
Douglas launched a stretched version of its DC-6 airliner as a cargo transport, designated DC-6A, for both military and civilian operators. Douglas was soon to launch a passenger version (the DC-6B) of this new aircraft. The DC-6B could carry 23 more passengers than Lockheed's current production L-749 Constellation.
In 1950, Lockheed had repurchased the
Later modifications included strengthened landing gear and larger vertical stabilizers. Eastern Air Lines ordered 10 aircraft, while Trans World Airlines (TWA) followed with an order for 14. The L-1049 had some 550 improvements and modifications compared to the L-749, including greater fuel capacity, rectangular windows, larger cockpit windshields and improved heating and pressurization.
In 1953, R-3350 Turbo-compounds were made available for civil use. Lockheed incorporated them into the L-1049C, which first flew on February 17 of that year. The R-3350-972-TC18DA-1
Although lacking the range of the DC-6B, the L-1049C had identical performance to the Douglas and could carry a larger payload. The wings of the new model were strengthened, cabin soundproofing was increased, and the landing gear retraction system was improved. A new series of interior layouts was offered for the new model; "Siesta" (47 passengers with increased luxury), "Intercontinental" (54 - 60 passengers) and "Inter-urban" (105 passengers). Each of these new layouts included
A freighter version, the L-1049D, first flew in August 1954. It had two cargo doors on the left side and a reinforced magnesium floor as used on the R7V-1 military variant of the L-1049B. The L-1049D could carry a 36,916 lb (16,745 kg) payload and had a volume of 5,579 cu ft (158.0 m3). At the time of its first flight, the L-1049D was the largest civil cargo aircraft. In the end four were produced, all delivered to
The L-1049E was more successful; 28 were delivered to eight airlines. Similar to the L-1049C, the L-1049E was able to carry the same load as the L-1049D. The L-1049C and L-1049E could not usually fly Europe to New York nonstop against the wind. Lockheed thought of fitting a new variant based on the L-1049E with more powerful engines, but the project was cancelled. A different variant surfaced: using the L-1049C as a base, R-3350-972-TC18DA-3 turbo-compound engines were fitted. The aircraft could carry 71 to 95 passengers at a speed of 331 mph (533 km/h).
The L-1049H flew on November 20, 1956. Called "Super H" and "Husky", the L-1049H was a convertible passenger/freight aircraft, mating a C-121C-based fuselage with L-1049G components. The cargo hold had a volume of 565 cu ft (16.0 m3) when including the lower hold. The aircraft could carry up to 120 people with seats, luggage lockers and toilets all available along with the option of decorating the walls of the aircraft.
When not in use, the luggage lockers and seats could be stowed in the lower hold. The aircraft entered service with Qantas a month later. Some L-1049G and H aircraft in later production were fitted with the TC-18EA series engines used on the L-1649 Starliner. A final variant was planned in 1957, known as the L-1049J. Powered by four R-3350-988-TC-18EA-6 engines, the L-1049J was based on the L-1049H with the wings of the R7V-2 Constellation and an extra fuselage-mounted fuel tank.
Operational history
The first production L-1049 flew on July 14, 1951, and received certification in November 1951. The Turbo-compound versions of the R-3350 engine were not yet available for civil use, so the engines were 2,700–2,800 hp (2,000–2,100 kW) instead of the Turbo-compound's 3,250–3,400 hp (2,420–2,540 kW). The aircraft entered service with Eastern Air Lines in December 1951 flying Miami to New York. Eastern later operated the L-1049C and L-1049G. TWA 1049s began flying in 1952; TWA L-1049Gs flew transatlantic starting in 1955. In 1956, a TWA L-1049 collided with a United Airlines DC-7 over the Grand Canyon, leading to the deaths of all on both aircraft.[3]
The first airline in Latin America with Super Constellations (L-1049E and L-1049G) was
.Iberia 1049Gs continued to fly Madrid-Santa Maria-Havana weekly until 1966.
Most Super Constellations were retired by their original operators after the advent of the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8; the last passenger L1049 flight in the US was an Eastern shuttle EWR-DCA in February 1968. The last commercial flight of the L-1049 Super Constellation was in 1993, when the Federal Aviation Administration banned all airlines from the Dominican Republic that flew Constellations to the United States (due to safety concerns).[citation needed] The Dominican airlines were the last operators of any version of the Constellation.
Numerous military versions were operated by the
The last US military Super Constellation, a one-of-a-kind aircraft designated as a NC-121K, Buno 141292, call sign GD-12, was used by the Navy Squadron VAQ-33 Firebirds stationed at NAS Key West, FL to simulate the Russians. This aircraft was retired in June 1982 by the US Navy and custody was transferred to the Florence Air Museum, Florence, SC, now closed. The aircraft was destroyed during a controlled grass burn that got out of control.[4]
The Indian Air Force and Indian Navy used former Air India L-1049C, E and G versions converted by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for use as Sea Air and Rescue aircraft. They were retired between 1981 and 1983 and replaced by Tupolev Tu-142 aircraft. India was the last military operator of the Constellation.[5]
Variants
Civilian
- L-1049
- Initial production version. 24 built.
- L-1049C
- Civil version of L-1049B, powered by four R-3350 972-TC-18DA-1 Turbo-compound engines. 48 built.
- L-1049D
- All-freight version constructed for Seaboard & Western Airlineswith the same powerplants as the L-1049C. Four built.
- L-1049E
- Passenger version of L-1049D. 28 built.
- L-1049G
- L-1049C with an increased MTOW and four R-3350 972-TC-18DA-3 engines. The options of tip tanksand weather radar were available.
- L-1049G/01
- Version built for Varig with a strengthened wing, increased MTOW and R-3350 988-TC-18EA-3 engines.
- L-1049H
- Convertible passenger/freight version of the L-1049G. 53 built.
- L-1049H/01
- Version built for the Flying Tiger Line with increased MTOW and powered by R-3350 988-TC-18EA-3 engines.
- L-1049H/02
- Different landing gear and R-3350 988-TC-18EA-6 engines. Two built.
- L-1049H/07
- Similar to the L-1049H/02. Two built.
- L-1049J
- Proposed version of the L-1049H/02 with a lengthened wingspan and an extra fuel tank.
- L-1149
- Proposed version of the L-1049G and L-1049H to be powered by turboprop engines.
- L-1449
- Proposed turboprop version of L-1049G with a stretched fuselage and a new wing.
- L-1549
- Planned stretched version of L-1449.
Military
- L-1049A
- Manufacturer's designation for the WV-2, WV-3 and RC-121D.
- L-1049B
- Manufacturer's designation for the R7V-1, RC-121C and VC-121E.
- L-1049F
- Manufacturer's designation for the C-121C with strengthened Landing Gear.
- EC-121 College Eye
- AEW&C aircraft used in the Vietnam War.
Surviving aircraft
- VH-EAG – L-1049 airworthy with the Historic Aircraft Restoration Society in Albion Park, New South Wales. It received an Engineering Heritage Marker from Engineers Australia.[6]
- L1049 G Super Constellation F-BGNJ on static display, outside Nantes Atlantique Airport, France.
- L1049 G Super Constellation in Trans-Canada Airlines livery, on static display outside Museum of Flight Seattle WA, USA.
- L1049 G Super Constellation on static display, outside the nightclub Le Moulin, Le Juch France.
Specifications (L-1049C)
Data from Lockheed Constellation:From Excalibur to Starliner.[7]
General characteristics
- Crew: 5 (Pilot, Copilot, Navigator, Flight Engineer, Radio Operator)
- Capacity: 47-106 Passengers
- Length: 113 ft 7 in (34.62 m)
- Wingspan: 123 ft (37 m)
- Height: 24 ft 9 in (7.54 m)
- Wing area: 1,650 sq ft (153 m2)
- Airfoil: root: NACA 23018; tip: NACA 4412[8]
- Empty weight: 69,000 lb (31,298 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 120,000 lb (54,431 kg)
- Powerplant: 4 × Wright R-3350 972-TC-18DA-1 Duplex-Cyclone18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 3,250 hp (2,420 kW) each
- Propellers: 3-bladed Hamilton Standard Hydromatic 43H60, 16 ft 10 in (5.13 m) diameter constant-speed fully-feathering Duraluminpropellers
Performance
- Maximum speed: 330 mph (530 km/h, 290 kn)
- Cruise speed: 304 mph (489 km/h, 264 kn)
- Range: 5,150 mi (8,290 km, 4,480 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 25,700 ft (7,800 m)
Gallery
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Prague Airport, 1961
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A Pakistan International Airlines Super Constellation at Heathrow Airport, 1955. The airline was one of the first airlines in Asia to operate the type
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An Iberia L-1049G at Düsseldorf Airport, 1964
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An Avianca L-1049G at Miami International Airport, February 1965
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A restored L-1049H of the National Airline History Museum (previously Save-A-Connie) in full Trans World Airlines colors, 2004
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A Qantas Super Constellation at Heathrow, 1955
See also
Related development
- Lockheed Constellation
- Lockheed L-049 Constellation
- Lockheed C-69 Constellation
- Lockheed L-649 Constellation
- Lockheed L-749 Constellation
- Lockheed C-121/R7V Constellation
- Lockheed EC-121 Warning Star
- Lockheed L-1249 Super Constellation
- Lockheed L-1649A Starliner
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Boeing 377 Stratocruiser
- Bristol Britannia
- Douglas DC-6
- Douglas DC-7
- Ilyushin Il-18
- Lockheed L-188 Electra
- Vickers Viscount
Related lists
- List of Lockheed aircraft
- List of models of the Lockheed Constellation
- List of Lockheed Constellation operators
Notes
- ^ Mackie, John. "This Week in History: 1954 The Lockheed Super Constellation ushers in an age of luxury in air travel". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ The 2/55 OAG shows a daily NW 1049G SEA-ANC and back starting on 15 Feb; TWA started 1049G flights on 1 April.
- ^ "Lockheed L-1049A Super Constellation N6902C Grand Canyon, AZ". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
- ^ Petersen, Ralph M. L1049 Super Constellation Lockheed Constellation Survivors Retrieved: 4 August 2011
- ^ Petersen, Ralph M. L1049 Super Constellation Lockheed Constellation Survivors Retrieved: 4 August 2011
- ^ "Super Constellation "Connie" - 1955-". Engineers Australia. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
- ^ Breffort, Dominique. Lockheed Constellation: from Excalibur to Starliner Civilian and Military Variants. Histoire and Collecions, 2006, p. 175
- ^ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
Bibliography
- Breffort, Dominique. Lockheed Constellation: from Excalibur to Starliner Civilian and Military Variants. Paris: Histoire and Collecions, 2006. Print. ISBN 2-915239-62-2
- Tariel, Yves (May 2008). "Record du monde: La céleste ponte du "Super Constellation"" [World Record: The Celestial Bridge of the "Super Constellation"]. Le Fana de l'Aviation (in French) (462): 68–73. ISSN 0757-4169.
External links
- Lockheed Constellation Survivors - A website that explains information and whereabouts of surviving Constellations of all variants, including the Super Constellation.