IKE'S PLANE......WHO KNEW

[Westernbiker]

Interesting video.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ehwvZXVKmPU

[BnB Tom]

Very Cool!

 

[Patrick]

To me restoring old airplanes is a worthwhile cause, especially famous planes.

[solo1]

I knew about this plane.  The Connie was a great airplane especially the old phrase, "Form follows Function", fits.   The three tails, instead of a single,  were designed to clear hanger doors as the plane already set higher than most due to the large props for the 3200 hp engines.

[Hoser]

I knew about this plane.  The Connie was a great airplane especially the old phrase, "Form follows Function", fits.   The three tails, instead of a single,  were designed to clear hanger doors as the plane already set higher than most due to the large props for the 3200 hp engines.

I flew in a commercial Connie when I got out of Electrical school at Jacksonville naval air station on the way home when I was in the Navy. Landed at Kansas City municipal airport when it was still downtown a long time ago.  Hoser     

[Pappy!]

Have also had the pleasure of flying in a Connie! What a gorgeous aircraft!

[RP#62]

Thanks.  It was a great airplane and very fast for its day.  I never worked much on them but was around them alot.  When I worked on the base, the guys in the shop next to mine maintained an EC121 (Super Connie) so it was always on the ramp next to my airplanes.  What a beast.  It could stay aloft for 24 hours.  They operated with two flight crews that would fly in shifts.  When it was taxiing in it sounded like a monster coming - the rumble of 4 R3350 Wright turbocompounds, the old disk brakes screaming, the props whistling (they had hollow steel blades with drain holes on the tips that would whistle). 

Its very sad to see any of the old airplanes chopped up.  I hope they can save this one.

-RP

[solo1]

Rp, a few years back a super Connie flew in to Ft. Wayne and was on display.  I walked up the high flight of stairs and talked to the pilots. I believe that they said they weren't using the turbos as they couldn't find super high test gasoline anymore. Even then, the cost was tremendous to keep them flying.  This particular Connie was on display to raise funds. big letters on the side SAC  (Save a Connie). I believe that top speed was over 350 mph, is that right?

Beautiful sound from those engines, sorta reminded me nostalgically of 765's steam engine whistle.

[hubcapsc]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Constellation

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_L-1049_Super_Constellation

[Grumpy]

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

[old2soon]

When I was in Uncle Sugars canoe club I was fortunate enough to get 2 hops on a Connie! Those unmuffled engines were music to the ears of this young man. And at night to see the flames from those exhaust stacks and the stacks glowing a dull orange-plus the noise in the cabin made you sleepy even if you weren't! Those long spindly landing gear looked wrong on the ground but once she got airborne and all cleaned up she looked very right in her element-the air! Don't rekemember the gallons per hour a single 3350 used but 4 of them would suck it down at cruise or more so at max power. RP#62-you mentioned the whistling props on a Connie-THAT woke up some memories.  I've flown in C-47/DC-3-C-118-C-54 S2Ds and Es and C2As. The Connie remains a favorite-even more so than 707s 747s 727s 737s-hell pick a Boeing and I still like the Connie better.  There is NOTHING in this world that sounds like or as good as a round aircraft engine!  RIDE SAFE.