Eastern Airlines Lockheed Super Constellation model L1049C was converted to a cargo configuration by the early 1960's
Eastern Airlines Lockheed Super Constellation model L1049C was converted to a cargo configuration by the early 1960's. This was originally a passenger aircraft, but once the jet airliners arrived in the late 1950's, these aricraft were delegated to secondary service, shuttle service and were used for stand-by-service. Because the Constellations were not really old aircraft, many were converted into cargo aircraft. Some of the newer models such as the Lockheed Super G & H Constellations stayed in revenue passenger service for sometime after the jet airliners arrived. These Constellations cruised at speeds over 300 mph, with top speeds over 330 mph. They had extremely long range, much beyond what any of the jet airliners had during this era, and even beyond at 5,150 miles, plus even longer distances with wing tip fuel tanks. These Constellation's could also fly at altitudes in the 23,00 foot range, above most weather conditions. An interesting feature of this aircraft is that the cargo paint scheme utilized at this time differed from the standard Eastern Airlines passenger aircraft paint scheme. Notice what appears to be an old Douglas DC3 by the open hanger doors on the right.
Personally I have many fond memories of flying in these Super Constellations back in the day on Eastern Airlines and they were my favorite propeller driven commercial aircraft. To me they just had a style all their own that was pleasing to the eye, plus some good plush comfortable seats with leg room. The last Eastern Airlines Constellation that I flew in was in December 1962, when I had a standby ticket from Chicago to Tampa on a late morning jet airliner flight that was over sold. At this time I was in the U.S. Navy and could purchase stand-by tickets at reduced costs. Was asked would I like to wait for a late afternoon jet airliner to Tampa or would I like to take off right now on a propeller aircraft that would land in Saint Petersburg instead of Tampa, and I said yes because that's where I was going anyway. The ticket reservation agent told me that both the later morning jet flight and the multiple stop propeller plane would land at the same time, great I said! Had my guitar with me and a small suit case and I walked out to the plane on an apron to the boarding stairs up to a Lockheed Super G Constellation. The stewardess at that time, a cute young thing, said sir with your standby ticket we can only seat you in first class, do you mind, well that will be OK. At this time I was 19 and with no questions being asked, the stewardess asked would you like a beer or something else, but I chose the beer and had one good flight to my home destination. We had three stops in route prior to arriving at my final destination, Indianappolis, Cincinatti, Atlanta and then Saint Petersburg. Really did enjoy flying in a Constellation.
This photo came from the Internet and the photographers name was not provided. Any credit for this great photo must be provided to the original photographer.
Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for the purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
Eastern Airlines Lockheed Super Constellation model L1049C was converted to a cargo configuration by the early 1960's
Eastern Airlines Lockheed Super Constellation model L1049C was converted to a cargo configuration by the early 1960's. This was originally a passenger aircraft, but once the jet airliners arrived in the late 1950's, these aricraft were delegated to secondary service, shuttle service and were used for stand-by-service. Because the Constellations were not really old aircraft, many were converted into cargo aircraft. Some of the newer models such as the Lockheed Super G & H Constellations stayed in revenue passenger service for sometime after the jet airliners arrived. These Constellations cruised at speeds over 300 mph, with top speeds over 330 mph. They had extremely long range, much beyond what any of the jet airliners had during this era, and even beyond at 5,150 miles, plus even longer distances with wing tip fuel tanks. These Constellation's could also fly at altitudes in the 23,00 foot range, above most weather conditions. An interesting feature of this aircraft is that the cargo paint scheme utilized at this time differed from the standard Eastern Airlines passenger aircraft paint scheme. Notice what appears to be an old Douglas DC3 by the open hanger doors on the right.
Personally I have many fond memories of flying in these Super Constellations back in the day on Eastern Airlines and they were my favorite propeller driven commercial aircraft. To me they just had a style all their own that was pleasing to the eye, plus some good plush comfortable seats with leg room. The last Eastern Airlines Constellation that I flew in was in December 1962, when I had a standby ticket from Chicago to Tampa on a late morning jet airliner flight that was over sold. At this time I was in the U.S. Navy and could purchase stand-by tickets at reduced costs. Was asked would I like to wait for a late afternoon jet airliner to Tampa or would I like to take off right now on a propeller aircraft that would land in Saint Petersburg instead of Tampa, and I said yes because that's where I was going anyway. The ticket reservation agent told me that both the later morning jet flight and the multiple stop propeller plane would land at the same time, great I said! Had my guitar with me and a small suit case and I walked out to the plane on an apron to the boarding stairs up to a Lockheed Super G Constellation. The stewardess at that time, a cute young thing, said sir with your standby ticket we can only seat you in first class, do you mind, well that will be OK. At this time I was 19 and with no questions being asked, the stewardess asked would you like a beer or something else, but I chose the beer and had one good flight to my home destination. We had three stops in route prior to arriving at my final destination, Indianappolis, Cincinatti, Atlanta and then Saint Petersburg. Really did enjoy flying in a Constellation.
This photo came from the Internet and the photographers name was not provided. Any credit for this great photo must be provided to the original photographer.
Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for the purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.