AC - L1049

The Lockheed Constellation ("Connie") was a propeller-driven airliner powered by four 18-cylinder radial Wright R-3350 engines. It was built by Lockheed between 1943 and 1958 at its Burbank, California, USA, facility. A total of 856 aircraft were produced in numerous models, all distinguished by a triple-tail design and dolphin-shaped fuselage. The Constellation was used as a civilian airliner and as a U.S. military air transport, seeing service in the Berlin Airlift. It was the presidential aircraft for U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Sleek and powerful, Constellations set a number of records. On April 17, 1944, the second production C-69, piloted by Howard Hughes and TWA president Jack Frye, flew from Burbank, California to Washington, D.C. in 6 hours and 57 minutes (c. 2,300 mi/3,701 km at an average 330.9 mph/532.5 km/h). On the return trip, the aircraft stopped at Wright Field to give Orville Wright his last flight, more than 40 years after his historic first flight. He commented that the Constellation's wingspan was longer than the distance of his first flight.

On September 29, 1957, an L-1649A Starliner flew from Los Angeles to London in 18 hours and 32 minutes (about 5,420 mi/8,723 km at 292.4 mph/470.6 km/h). The L-1649A holds the record for the longest-duration, non-stop passenger flight. During TWA's inaugural London-to-San Francisco flight on October 1–2, 1957, the aircraft stayed aloft for 23 hours and 19 minutes (about 5,350 mi/8,610 km at 229.4 mph/369.2 km/h).

An EAL Constellation to date still holds the record for a New York to Washington flight from lift off to touch-down in just over 30 minutes. The record was set prior to speed restriction by the FAA below 10,000 ft.

One of the reasons for the elegant appearance of the aircraft was the fuselage shape—a continuously variable profile with no two bulkheads the same shape. Unfortunately, this construction is very expensive and was replaced by the mostly tube shape of modern airliners. The tube is more resistant to pressurization changes and cheaper to build.

1. 'Maha Devi' at Amsterdam.

Air Ceylon restarted its weekly Colombo to London service in February 1956 with a L-749A leased from KLM. The aircraft carried PH- registration but was fully painted in Air Ceylon's attractive livery. The L-749A was replaced by a (KLM) L-1049G in November 1958. The former PH- registration was replaced by a 4R- Ceylonese registration later that year. The Super Connie was in use until November 1960 when a leased KLM L-188 replaced it.

2. "Somadevi" seen at LHR on a beautiful day in September 1959. (Scott Henderson Collection) Modified to 1049E-55-108 on 15 May 1954 and delivered to KLM as Ph-LKA 'Isotoop'. Updated to 1049G/02-82 by KLM, completed 16 March 1956. Leased to Air Ceylon 1 November 1958 and named 'Somadevi'. In service 12 November 1958. Returned to KLM 1 November 1960 and restored as PH-LKA.

3. At Paya Lebar Singapore during the London - Colombo service in 1957. (Scott Henderson Collection) Re-registered PH-LDP 16 February 1954. Leased to Air Ceylon in a 12 sleeper/35 tourist class configuration 7 February 1956 and named 'Mahadevi'. First service to London-Heathrow 10 March 1956. Returned to KLM 1 November 1958, and withdrawn from use 3 November 1958.

4. London - Heathrow (LHR / EGLL), UK - England, 1958

Propliners	Jetliners
Douglas DC-3 Dakota	De Havilland Comet 4
Nord Aviation N262	Vickers-Armstrongs VC10
Hawker Siddeley HS 748	Convair 990 Coronado
Douglas DC-4 Skymaster	Boeing B707 / 720
Lockheed L188 Electra	Douglas DC-8
Lockheed L1049 Super Constellation	Hawker Siddeley HS 121 Trident

> I think it is a pity to lose the romantic side of flying and simply to accept it as a common means of transport. – Amy Johnson
> The good thing about flying solo is it’s never boring. – Steve Fossett
> More than anything else, the sensation of flying is one of perfect peace mingled with an excitement that strains every nerve to the utmost. If you can conceive of such a combination. – Wilbur Wright
> A pilot who says he has never been frightened in an airplane is, I’m afraid, lying. – Louise Thaden

Air Ceylon
Lockheed
L-1049 Super Constellation

L1049 Engines

L1049 Performance

L1049 Weights

L1049 Dimensions

L1049 Capacity

Air Ceylon Aircraft Index