Post by flyboy on Sept 23, 2016 11:15:44 GMT
THE LOCKHEED CONSTELLATION.
Built at Burbank, California the Lockheed Constellation series of aircraft started production in 1943. In total 856 of the four engine models were produced and were easily recognised by the dolphin shaped fuselage and triple fin tail. Mainly powered by four reliable Wright R-3350 Cyclone engines the 'Connie' as it became affectionately known was used as a civil airliner and as a civil and military transport aircraft.
During World War II aircraft already in production for Trans World Airlines were hurriedly converted to become the designated C-69 to be used by the United States Army Air Force (USAAF). The first prototype carried civilian registration NX25600 for it's short maiden flight on January 9th 1943 from Burbank to Muroc Field where testing was to take place.
A total of 22 C-69's were produced before the end of hostilities although not all were used by the military, some being released back to TWA in late 1945 with trans Atlantic flights starting in February 1946. The remaining military aircraft were put to use relocating US forces, the majority being operated by the USAF and carrying 'Military Air Transport Service' titles.
A number of airlines used the L-749, and later models including L-1049 Super Constellations in particular, were to become a familiar sight in Europe. TWA operated into LAP Heathrow as early as 1954 with their L-749A model, easily recognisable being complete with under fuselage 'Speedpack' freight containers.
Military versions soon followed the C-69 with the C-121 for the Army Air Force / Air Force, the R70 R7V-1 development of the L-1049B, the VIP VC-121A and the EC-121. The US Navy were supplied with the WV-1 and more commonly seen WV-2 versions and were to become a familiar sight for young enthusiasts like myself when visiting Blackbushe in the late 1950s / early 1960s. There was also a less commonly seen WV-3 variant.
Of particular interest would have been the PO-1W/WV-1 124437 c/n 2612 a conversion prototype of the Air Force C121 for the US Navy which was a visitor in the early 1950s. This was one of only two conversions undertaken being developed into the WV-2 version.
Specifications
Model 749A Model 1049
Wing span 123' 0" (37.49m ) 123' 5" (37.62m )
Length 95' 2" (29m ) 113' 7" (34.62m )
Height 23' 8" (7.21m ) 24' 9" (7.54m )
Weight Empty 58,970lb (26,748kg ) 73,016lb (33,120kg )
Weight Loaded 107,000lb (48,534kg ) 137,500lb (62,369kg )
Speed Max. 358mph (576km/hr @ 19,200') 370mph (595km/hr @ 20,000')
Speed Cruise 327mph (526km/hr) 305mph (491km/hr)
Ceiling ? 22,300' (6,795m )
Range Max 4,150miles (6,678km) 5,250miles (8,449km )
Engines 4x Wright Cyclone 2,500hp (1,864kw) 4x Wright Cyclone turbo 3,400hp (2,535kw)
Noted Blackbushe Movements.
Symbols used: LAP(H)=Heathrow, divn = diversion, cn = construction number, tr = training,
ldg = landing & number, ct = circuit training, del. flt = delivery flight, -> continues next line.
Details shown are of recorded movements noted by aviation enthusiasts on visits to the airfield and other personal records of flight crew, log books etc. It therefore follows that there were probably other unrecorded movements. I have given as much detail as is known.
cn Type Operator Known information of movements
4X-AKA 1965 L1049 ELAL 16.1.56 from Stephenville
AP-AFR 4521 --//-- Pakistan Int. Airlines 4.12.57 LAP(H) divn.
CF-TEU 4641 --//-- Canadian Pacific Airlines 6.12.58 LAP(H) divn.
CF-TEV 4643 --//-- ----//----
G-AKCE 1917 L-049 BOAC 00.10.54
G-ALAK 2548 L-749 --//-- 25.8.55, 2.2,57, 10.9.57.
G-ALAL 2549 --//-- --//-- 22.4.55 tr 4xldg, 24.1.56 tr, 27.5.58 tr.
G-ALAN 2555 --//-- --//-- 00.00.54 ct, 10.8.56 tr, ->
4.12.57 LAP(H) divn.
G-ALAO 2566 --//-- --//-- 00.12.56 ct , 21.6.53 ct x 12 ldg, ->
29.5.55 ct 4 ldg, 27.8.57 ct.
G-ANTF 2054 --//-- --//-- 27.1.56 ct, 7.2.56ct, 11.5.56 ct, ->
25.6.56 ct.
G-ANTG 2055 --//-- --//-- 10.9.56 ct.
G-ANUP] 2562 --//-- Skyways 30.9.59.
G-ANUP] 2562 --//-- BOAC 11.5.55 ct x 9 ldg, 17.1.56 ct, ->
7.3.56 ct, 7.8.56 ct.
G-ANUR 2565 --//-- --//-- 29.6.55 ct x 2ldg, 30.6.55 ct 1xldg, ->
2.7.55 ct 10x ldg, 16.2.56 ct.
G-ANUV 2551 --//-- --//-- 4.9.55 ct, 10.9.55 ct.
G-ANUX 2556 --//-- --//-- 12.3.55 ct 4x ldg, 13.3.55 ct 5x ldg, ->
24.12.56 ct.
G-ANUY 2557 --//-- --//-- 10.8.55, 22.2.56 ct.
G-ANUZ 2559 --//-- --//-- 7.1.56.
G-ANVA 2564 --//-- --//-- 00.06.55 ct, 4.8.55, 16.8.55, ->
13.3.56 ct, 6.4.56 ct.
G-ANVB 2589 --//-- --//-- 00.07.56 ct.
G-ANVD 2544 --//-- --//-- 2.2.55ct, 3.7.55 ct 12x ldg, ->
4.7.55 ct 9x ldg, 8.7.55 ct 4x ldg, ->
14.2.56 ct.
VH-EAA 4580 L1049 Qantas 26.3.56 ct.
VH-EAC 4606 --//-- --//-- 7.12.56 ct, 5.6.57 ct.
VH-EAE 4578 --//-- --//-- 00.6.55, 18.7.56 ct, 9.2.57.
VH-EAK 4573 --//-- --//-- 4.4.56 ct.
VH-EAN 4803 --//-- 
--//-- 30.1.59, 31.1.59, ->
3.2.59 LAP (H) divn, 26.3.60 ct.
VT-DGM 4548 --//-- Air India 24.11.57 del. flt.
VT-DHL 4613 --//-- --//-- 4.5.59, 16.3.60.
VT-DHN 4615 --//-- --//-- 12.9.59, 13.9.59.
Military.
124437 2612 ( PO-1W (WV-1) U.S Navy VW-2 sqn (XD-7) ?. ? ? 1st of 2 prototypes.
131389 4309 WV2 --//-- ---//--- (XD-9) 00.12.54
135750 4317 --//-- --//-- ---//--- (XD-5) 00.8.56
135752 4319 --//-- --//-- ---//--- (XD-5) 24.2.57
135753 4320 --//-- --//-- ---//--- (XD-2) 9.4.55
135757 4324 --//-- --//-- ? (TF-9) 06.55, 00.57.
135759 4326 --//-- --//-- ? -- 26.11.55, 4.9.56.
135760 4327 --//-- --//-- ---//---(XD-7/TF-1) 18.6.55, 2.9.56, 3.9.56.
135761 4328 --//-- --//-- ? (TF-8) 29.5.56
137284 ? --//-- --//-- ? (TH-7) 15.1.56
137890 4347 --//-- --//-- VW-2 sqn (MG-4) 16.10.58.
137894} 4381 --//-- --//-- ? -- 7.4.56.
137894} --//-- WV3 --//-- VW-4 sqn -- 18.3.57 first WV3 noted, ->
137894} --//-- --//-- --//-- --//-- (MH-1) 13.4.58, 15.4.58, 17.4.58 ->
137894} --//-- --//-- --//-- --//-- (MH-!) 2.5.58.
137895 4382 --//-- --//-- --//-- (MH-3) 20.4.58, 3.5.58, 26.6.58.
137897 4384 --//-- --//-- ? (TH-1) 00.4.58.
138794 4381 --//-- --//-- VW-4 sqn (TH-3) 21.3.57.
141290 4414 WV2 --//-- VW-2 sqn (MG-6) 18.6.58.
141291 4415 --//-- --//-- VW-13sqn (MK) 18.2.60, 20.2.60.
141297 4421 --//-- --//-- ? ? 8.2.58.
141301 4425 --//-- --//-- VW-13sqn (MK-301) 8.2.60.
141307 4431 --//-- --//-- VW-2 sqn (MG) 29.3.60.
141309 4433 --//-- --//-- VW-13sqn (MK) 17.2.60.
141312 4436 --//-- --//-- VW-2 sqn (MG-7) 14.8.59.
141313} 4437 --//-- --//-- --//-- (MG-1) 9.5.58, 7.6.58, 6.7.58, ->
141313} --//-- --//-- --//-- --//-- (MG-313) 10.7.59.
141320 4444 --//-- --//-- ? (TF-2) 16.2.57 & 17.2.57.
145936 5517 --//-- --//-- VW-2 sqn -- 17.6.58, 6.7.58.
145937 5518 --//-- --//-- --//-- (MG) 13.758, 16.8.58.
48-0609 2601 C 121A USAF VIP 17.8.58.
48-0611 2603 VC 121A --//-- --//-- 8.8.58, 16.11.58.
48-0614 2606 ---//--- --//-- --//-- 6.9.55, 3.9.58.
With thanks to:
Wikipedia
rj for much of the information. Book out soon.
The Blackbushe enthusiasts for logging the movements
PB and his photo collection - photos to follow. JSM 24.9.16.