One of my earliest memories goes back to when I was a small child and we were living in Seattle. My Uncle Paul managed sawmills, and was hired to fly to the Philippines to oversee construction of a mill being shipped over from the States in parts. He drove up to our place from Medford, Oregon, and boarded his flight at the still fairly new Sea-Tac airport -- aboard a Lockheed Constellation. This would have been about 1956. I was just a grasshopper, but was smitten with the three tails of that beautiful ship.
A handful still survive:

http://www.conniesurvivors.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRwSKmFoFa8

Takeoff about 8 minutes in:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_ICWyNi75w

It's a beauty, alright. Actually got some style.

When I was stationed overseas, (South East Asia), 1967-1970, there was one or more than one I would see on occasions at one of the airports in Viet Nam, Taiwan, or Okinawa. I thought then that how neat they were. The more I think about it I saw it in Taiwan at the Chinese part of CCK Air Base. I think it was some sort of VIP plane. Do any of you know if I am right, or is my CRS kicking in?
Thanks,
Ken

The Air Force and the navy had a large number of Connies. They were on the radar picket line as EC-121s, and were used for a number of transport roles, including some medical evacuation, and VIP transport. Before the 707, Eisenhower's bird was a constellation named Columbine. It was the fastest, longest legged airliner until jets killed the prop market. Held a LOT of long haul speed records. I have a memory of reading that Air America used them (contractor planes) for hauling stuff into Thailand. I think it's the prettiest airliner ever made.

Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1z6BDBakYQ

Great retro Connie documentary with Arthur Godfrey.

I wonder how the recip's would fare with todays electronic fuel injection and computer control?

quote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1z6BDBakYQ

Thanks, Bobster. In 1968 I flew to Yakutat, AK for a moose hunt. We boarded a Pacific Northern Constellation in Seattle, handed our rifles to the stewardess, who put them in a closet.

My dad went to work for TWA in 1956, and soon was flying the Connie, domestic and international. In fact, at one point he was one of only 23 pilots in the country checked out both as flight engineer, 1st officer and also holding a captain's certificate (international).

He told me despite its beauty, it was a pig to fly, until the last variant came out with a changed wing shape.

Here's a couple shots he took around 1963 at SFO of a Super G getting a bath.

A shot he took of the Philadelphia Naval Ship Yard from the Connie:

Another shot of a Connie he took from the cockpit of a Martin 404, also in SFO:

Thanks Brad!

Nice pics, brings back memories.


Ken