Breitling Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation Jetliner aircraft flying at Farnborough Airshow 2014
The Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation is an American aircraft, a member of the Lockheed Constellation aircraft line. The L-1049 was Lockheed's response to the successful Douglas DC-6 airliner, first flying in 1950. The aircraft was also produced for both the United States Navy and Air Force as transport and AWACS aircraft. 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 ft³ (16 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. Most Super Constellations were retired by their original operators after the advent of the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8 jet airliners. 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). The Dominican airlines were the last operators of any version of the Constellation. The Super Constellation shown is operated by the Breitling watch manufacturer. and is one of the last three "Super Connies" in flightworthy condition in the world, and the only one based in Europe. Built in 1955, it flew 17 years for the American air force, before beginning a second civilian career. It was restored in the 1990s by a group of passionate devotees and made its grand European comeback in 2004. Since then, it regularly takes part in various air shows.
Size: 4501px × 3000px
Location: Farnborough, Hampshire United Kingdom
Photo credit: © Niall Ferguson / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: aircraft, breitling, constellation, flying, jetliner, lockheed, passenger, preserved, propeller, super
