Comments on: The Legendary Lockheed Constellation http://www.historynet.com/the-legendary-lockheed-constellation.htm From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Mon, 20 May 2013 07:22:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Eric Johnson http://www.historynet.com/the-legendary-lockheed-constellation.htm#comment-1100826 Eric Johnson Thu, 09 May 2013 20:01:40 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681006#comment-1100826 Great article but short on facts as related to the Connie's early development. Specifically the leaving out of JACK FRYE, president of TWA being the originator of its concept with Lockheed before Howard Hughes was the prime shareholder of TWA. Howard knew how to fly and design but he didn't know airliners or the airline business. That was Frye's job who since 1925 with Aero Corp on to Standard Airlines sent Donald Douglas the spec's for the DC-1 which became the spectacularly successful DC-3. Same thing with the Boeing 307 Stratoliner. That was a product where again, JACK FRYE and his engineering group with Tommy Tomlinson were able to forward Boeing their test data flying above the clouds before anybody ever did, and worked with Boeing to introduce the worlds first pressurized airliner cabin. To read the facts about the Constellation and the aforementioned, you can go to the Jack Frye blog at http://jack-frye.blogspot.com. Great article but short on facts as related to the Connie's early development. Specifically the leaving out of JACK FRYE, president of TWA being the originator of its concept with Lockheed before Howard Hughes was the prime shareholder of TWA. Howard knew how to fly and design but he didn't know airliners or the airline business. That was Frye's job who since 1925 with Aero Corp on to Standard Airlines sent Donald Douglas the spec's for the DC-1 which became the spectacularly successful DC-3. Same thing with the Boeing 307 Stratoliner. That was a product where again, JACK FRYE and his engineering group with Tommy Tomlinson were able to forward Boeing their test data flying above the clouds before anybody ever did, and worked with Boeing to introduce the worlds first pressurized airliner cabin.

To read the facts about the Constellation and the aforementioned, you can go to the Jack Frye blog at http://jack-frye.blogspot.com.

]]> By: joe van lierde http://www.historynet.com/the-legendary-lockheed-constellation.htm#comment-1051740 joe van lierde Sat, 20 Apr 2013 18:29:43 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681006#comment-1051740 I came across Erik Eriksson site because I am an aviation enthusiast (propeller era). I emigrated to South Africa from Belgium in Jan 1967. I was to depart from Luxembourg with Trek Airways round about 27 Jan 1967. For some reason, there was a lengthy delay and eventually we were bused to Dusseldorf where we were put up in hotels for the night. We took off from a misty Dusseldorf the next morning (I didn't have a good look at the aircraft because it was still dark - winter in Europe). We landed at what I believe were the Canary Islands (I don't think it was Madeira, but I could be mistaken) for a refueling stop. It was a balmy warm day and, setting foot on the tarmac, I had my first good look at the aircraft. A Constellation! Man, was she sexy, on her tall landing gear, with the massive props of over 5 m dia and the glorious smell of warm aviation lube oil! We took off the same evening for Luanda. On our way, in the early morning the next day when I woke up, I looked out of the window. I had a window seat starboard (R/H) side directly facing the bulkhead dividing the front passenger compartment (non-smokers, I presume - or was it \business\ class?). I had a good view of both engines. I noticed then that the outboard engine was stopped with its propeller feathered. We were overland (not over water). I do not recall any announcement from the pilot (the engine could have been stopped during the night while everyone was still asleep). We landed at Luanda round about lunchtime and were told that the aircraft had suffered an engine malfunction and we would rest at the airport cafeteria while the technicians were inspecting the engine. We could see the men bent over the open engine, in the blazing sun. After a couple of hours, we were told that the engine could not be repaired immediately and that a replacement aircraft (another Super Constellation) was being flown in from Jan Smuts. We were put up in hotels again and eventually took off very late in the evening. We landed in Joburg early the next morning (Monday 30 January 1967) in overcast weather (the pilot did some nice banking - must have had someone down there to impress). I have read that the Wright Cyclones had some reliability problems, but no one was really too worried along our trip. Joe van Lierde Cape Town South Africa I came across Erik Eriksson site because I am an aviation enthusiast (propeller era).
I emigrated to South Africa from Belgium in Jan 1967.
I was to depart from Luxembourg with Trek Airways round about 27 Jan 1967.
For some reason, there was a lengthy delay and eventually we were bused to Dusseldorf where we were put up in hotels for the night.
We took off from a misty Dusseldorf the next morning (I didn't have a good look at the aircraft because it was still dark – winter in Europe).
We landed at what I believe were the Canary Islands (I don't think it was Madeira, but I could be mistaken) for a refueling stop.
It was a balmy warm day and, setting foot on the tarmac, I had my first good look at the aircraft. A Constellation!
Man, was she sexy, on her tall landing gear, with the massive props of over 5 m dia and the glorious smell of warm aviation lube oil!
We took off the same evening for Luanda.
On our way, in the early morning the next day when I woke up, I looked out of the window. I had a window seat starboard (R/H) side directly facing the bulkhead dividing the front passenger compartment (non-smokers, I presume – or was it \business\ class?). I had a good view of both engines. I noticed then that the outboard engine was stopped with its propeller feathered. We were overland (not over water).
I do not recall any announcement from the pilot (the engine could have been stopped during the night while everyone was still asleep).
We landed at Luanda round about lunchtime and were told that the aircraft had suffered an engine malfunction and we would rest at the airport cafeteria while the technicians were inspecting the engine.
We could see the men bent over the open engine, in the blazing sun.
After a couple of hours, we were told that the engine could not be repaired immediately and that a replacement aircraft (another Super Constellation) was being flown in from Jan Smuts.
We were put up in hotels again and eventually took off very late in the evening. We landed in Joburg early the next morning (Monday 30 January 1967) in overcast weather (the pilot did some nice banking – must have had someone down there to impress).
I have read that the Wright Cyclones had some reliability problems, but no one was really too worried along our trip.
Joe van Lierde
Cape Town
South Africa

]]> By: Maggie Brown http://www.historynet.com/the-legendary-lockheed-constellation.htm#comment-814317 Maggie Brown Thu, 02 Aug 2012 04:50:26 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681006#comment-814317 OMG, how I loved the Connies. I was hooked from my very first flt which was a Connie ride to KC compliments of TWA for my second interview for "Air Hostess" in 1960. It was hard to imagine really getting paid to fly around in the beautiful Constellation when I got the job. The pilots were great. On Ferry Flights they let me sit in the jump seat for the best view and to lower the gear and flaps . I was in heaven. What a fantastic airplane. Not only was she the most beautiful, she could also perform. What a thrill to hear and see those fire breathing oil spewing 18 cylinder engine start ups. And no matter what adventures of close calls and storms she pulled through. And not always with four engines. I can testify to some engine outs which didn't phase her. But, of course, TWA had those great pilots to help her. Decades later after I had my own private lic. and had long ago left TWA. I stood under the Save A Connie Super G at Oshkosh. It was the first time I had seen a Connie since TWA. I felt my throat tightened up and my eyes tearing. I turned around hoping to still be alone and found a man not far behind me. He looked at me and nodded, "yeah, me too". We just stood there with our blurry red eyes sharing the moment of beautiful memories with the elegant Connie. OMG, how I loved the Connies. I was hooked from my very first flt which was a Connie ride to KC compliments of TWA for my second interview for "Air Hostess" in 1960. It was hard to imagine really getting paid to fly around in the beautiful Constellation when I got the job. The pilots were great. On Ferry Flights they let me sit in the jump seat for the best view and to lower the gear and flaps . I was in heaven. What a fantastic airplane. Not only was she the most beautiful, she could also perform. What a thrill to hear and see those fire breathing oil spewing 18 cylinder engine start ups. And no matter what adventures of close calls and storms she pulled through. And not always with four engines. I can testify to some engine outs which didn't phase her. But, of course, TWA had those great pilots to help her. Decades later after I had my own private lic. and had long ago left TWA. I stood under the Save A Connie Super G at Oshkosh. It was the first time I had seen a Connie since TWA. I felt my throat tightened up and my eyes tearing. I turned around hoping to still be alone and found a man not far behind me. He looked at me and nodded, "yeah, me too". We just stood there with our blurry red eyes sharing the moment of beautiful memories with the elegant Connie.

]]> By: Steven Rudin http://www.historynet.com/the-legendary-lockheed-constellation.htm#comment-812691 Steven Rudin Sat, 21 Jul 2012 04:32:40 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681006#comment-812691 There is a great youtube video called "Letter from an Airline Pilot" which is about TWA and features the Constellation. There seems to be a version from 1947 and a re-edited one from 1950 The premise in both movies is that a TWA Captain is answering a letter from a passenger about the operation of an airline. There is also a later movie featuring Arthur Godrey flying a Constellation. That may be an Eastern Airlines plane. I haven't seen that one in a long time. There is a great youtube video called "Letter from an Airline Pilot" which is about TWA and features the Constellation. There seems to be a version from 1947 and a re-edited one from 1950 The premise in both movies is that a TWA Captain is answering a letter from a passenger about the operation of an airline. There is also a later movie featuring Arthur Godrey flying a Constellation. That may be an Eastern Airlines plane. I haven't seen that one in a long time.

]]> By: Stephan Wilkinson http://www.historynet.com/the-legendary-lockheed-constellation.htm#comment-794251 Stephan Wilkinson Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:53:05 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681006#comment-794251 The memory plays tricks when you're as old as we are. (I was 21 in 1957.) Those flames had to be blue, else the flight engineer had the mixture so rich that you'd never have made Shannon.... The memory plays tricks when you're as old as we are. (I was 21 in 1957.) Those flames had to be blue, else the flight engineer had the mixture so rich that you'd never have made Shannon….

]]> By: Mark Bell http://www.historynet.com/the-legendary-lockheed-constellation.htm#comment-794248 Mark Bell Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:45:34 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681006#comment-794248 Super Constellation: Brings back vivid memories. Had to get home for Christmas. Never had flown before. eighteen years old and very naive (and scared) in 1957. TCA (Trans Canada Airlines) Most vivid memory. The huge white hot exhaust pipes spurting long orange flames for the 12+ hour flight to Shannon. Awesome!!!!!! Super Constellation:
Brings back vivid memories.
Had to get home for Christmas. Never had flown before. eighteen years old and very naive (and scared) in 1957. TCA (Trans Canada Airlines)
Most vivid memory. The huge white hot exhaust pipes spurting long orange flames for the 12+ hour flight to Shannon.
Awesome!!!!!!

]]> By: marvin http://www.historynet.com/the-legendary-lockheed-constellation.htm#comment-784710 marvin Fri, 16 Dec 2011 04:25:51 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681006#comment-784710 We were told in TWA Flight Engineer training that the fuselage lift was over 6,000 pounds @ cruise speed. We were told in TWA Flight Engineer training that the fuselage lift was over 6,000 pounds @ cruise speed.

]]> By: Ed Stroup http://www.historynet.com/the-legendary-lockheed-constellation.htm#comment-780934 Ed Stroup Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:32:23 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681006#comment-780934 I want to build a ¼ scale WillyVictor 121. I am having a difficult time getting anything that will help me with the top and bottom radar blisters. Anyone have an idea about where I can get the data on these domes? I was aircrew for VR-21 and had an opportunity to take a short taxi ride in one (WV121). I loved it. Ed I want to build a ¼ scale WillyVictor 121. I am having a difficult time getting anything that will help me with the top and bottom radar blisters. Anyone have an idea about where I can get the data on these domes?
I was aircrew for VR-21 and had an opportunity to take a short taxi ride in one (WV121). I loved it.

Ed

]]> By: Agent Orange http://www.historynet.com/the-legendary-lockheed-constellation.htm#comment-778946 Agent Orange Tue, 04 Oct 2011 04:06:40 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681006#comment-778946 WHAT?! You were flying all that time with A WHOLE DC-3 stuck in your Connie's port leading edge? Please clarify. WHAT?! You were flying all that time with A WHOLE DC-3 stuck in your Connie's port leading edge? Please clarify.

]]> By: Ray Haynes http://www.historynet.com/the-legendary-lockheed-constellation.htm#comment-702132 Ray Haynes Sat, 20 Aug 2011 20:08:30 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13681006#comment-702132 I meant 1963/1965. I meant 1963/1965.

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