Tag: Can Lockheed Build Americas first coasttocoast nonstop shuttle

XC-69 Constellation
Lockheed eventually reacquired theXC-69 Constellationprototype model from the Hughes Tool CompanyHughes Tool CompanyHughes Tool Company was an American manufacturer of drill bits. Founded in 1908, it was merged into Baker Hughes Incorporated in 1987.en.wikipedia.org. The company stretched it by 18 ft (5.5 m) to create the basis for the L-1049 Super ConstellationLockheed L-1049 Super ConstellationThe Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation is an American aircraft, a member of the Lockheed Constellation aircraft line. The L-1049 was Lockheed’s response to the successful Douglas DC-6 airliner, first flying in 1950. The aircraft was also produced for both the United States Navy an…en.wikipedia.org. TWA was once again another primary user of this type.

What is a Lockheed Constellation?

The Lockheed Constellation, nicknamed Connie, was introduced in 1943 with the USAAF, playing an important role in World War II. However, TWA became the first commercial operator just two years later.

Can Lockheed Build America’s first coast-to-coast non-stop shuttle?

The customer’s request had been ambitious. He hoped to hire Lockheed to design a revolutionary aircraft capable of comfortably shuttling 20 passengers and 6,000 pounds of cargo across the United States, offering commercial aviation’s first coast-to-coast, non-stop service.

Why did Lockheed Martin want to build a plane?

But the Lockheed team had come to express even grander ambitions. They wanted to build the company’s first large transport, one that “would carry more people farther and faster than ever before, and economically enough to broaden the acceptance of flying as an alternative to train, ship and automobile,” said Johnson.

What happened at the Lockheed meeting?

In 1939, the top brass of the Lockheed Corporation—president Robert Gross, chief engineer Hall Hibbard, and chief research engineer Kelly Johnson—scheduled a key meeting with a VIP, a man with deep pockets who had recently shown an interest in buying not just one or a handful of new planes but a fleet of them.

What was the first super constellation?

The first prototype Super Constellation was a "stretched" version of the original Model 049 (C-69) , modified by lengthening the fuselage from 95’ 2" to 113’ 7", adding more fuel capacity, more powerful engines, higher gross weight, and increasing its tourist-class seating from 69 to 92. These L-1049 aircraft were powered by four 2700 hp Wright engines. The prototype aircraft was first flown on October 13, 1950. The production version of the Model L-1049, of which fourteen were built for Eastern Airlines, and ten for TWA, ended up with a strengthened fuselage, stiffened outer wing panels and rectangular windows instead of the Constellation’s round ones. This production version was first flown on July 14, 1951, and the type entered service on December 7, 1951, with Eastern Airlines (EAL). The last Model 1049 produced was delivered in September 1952. Passenger accommodations on the 1049 varied – 88 for Eastern; 65 over water or 75 domestic for TWA, with adaptation to 102 in high density configuration. The flight crew consisted of three, with two cabin attendants.

What did the Super Connies do?

While with the 1608th ATW, the "Super Connies" flew throughout the Caribbean, made crossings of the North and South Atlantic to Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and as far east as India. They participated in the Hungarian airlift during 1956-57, carrying refugees from Eastern Europe to the U.S. and flew troops to Lebanon during the crisis there in 1958. In general, this "Connie" and others of the unit flew a variety of transport missions including cargo, passenger, medical evacuation, and humanitarian support.

What was the weight of the Lockheed 1049C?

The engine produced 3,250 h.p. for take-off for which the aircraft weight had been increased to 133,000 lb. The Model 1049C, Turbo-Cyclone-powered Super Constellation began flight trials on February 17, 1953. A convertible model, the 1049D was built for Seaboard and Western Airlines in 1954. They were fitted with reinforced flooring and they had main deck cargo loading doors on the part side of the fuselage, fore and aft of the wings. They could carry either 18 tons of freight or up to 104 passengers. Maximum take—off weight was 135,400 lb. A Model 1049E was delivered between May 1954 and April 1955 which was identical to the 1049C but with the increased take-off and landing weight of the 1049D. Next on the model list was the Model 1049F, which was Lockheed’s designation for 33 C-121C cargo/personnel transports built for the USAF and fitted with stronger landing gear. The F was followed by a "G" model which was determined to be the most successful version of the Super Constellation. It was powered by 3,400 h.p. engines, it had longer range than the E, and the maximum take-off weight was increased to 137,500 lb. with some models modified to 140,000 lb. Often known as Super Gs, 42 of these aircraft were delivered to domestic carriers (20 to TWA, 10 to EAL, and 4 to NW), and 50 to foreign carriers. The final version to the Super Constellation was the Model 1049H, a combination of Model 1049D, and the convertible and improved Model 1049G.

What is a 1049H?

When the age of piston-powered passenger transport aircraft was coming to a close, Lockheed offered to carriers a convertible Model 1049H, suggesting that when they were no longer competitive in the passenger market they could convert to carrying cargo. This second hand market did materialize briefly with the H model but the market for 1049s soon dried up as they were becoming too expensive to operate and maintain. The engines were giving problems not only in the Lockheed Super Connies, but also in the Douglas DC-7s, and the aircraft were becoming known as the "world’s best trimotors." A total of 579 Super Constellations were built but by the end of 1980 only four Super Constellations remained in airline service..

When did TWA start using the 1049?

TWA, a co-sponsor with EAL on the design of the Super Constellation, first used the Model 1049 on its domestic network in September 1952, and when it received the higher performance "C" version, it began scheduled non-stop transcontinental service on October 19, 1953, a first for the industry. On its trans-Atlantic routes, TWA made use of its early Super Constellation models, but on November 1, 1955, it could offer improved service, using its newer Model l049Gs which enabled it to operate non-stop most of the time, at least in the eastbound direction.

What was the first aircraft to fly nonstop over the Atlantic?

Over the Atlantic and other long distance routes, the Super Constellation was also operated by several former Constellation operators, until Lockheed was again challenged by Douglas and its DC-7C, the first aircraft capable of flying non-stop in both directions over the North Atlantic. To compete, Lockheed responded by mating the Super Constellation’s fuselage and tail surfaces with an entirely new wing, resulting in a major redesign. The outcome, the Model 1649A Starliner, which entered service on June 1, 1957, it was the most attractive of the Constellation series, but its success was short lived for in six months it was overtaken in 1958 by the faster, turbine-powered (Bristol Britannia) and jet aircraft (the Boeing 707-120) which finally made all propeller-driven aircraft obsolescent in October 1958. A total of 44 Lockheed L-1649As were built, 29 went to TWA, 10 to Air France, 4 to Lufthansa.

Who was the Lockheed company’s customer?

But at that moment in 1939 in Los Angeles, the Lockheed Corporation was focused on winning over one customer and one customer only. His name was Howard Hughes.

When was the last Constellation plane made?

The final commercial Constellation was produced in 1959. By then, the planes had flown for most of the world’s major airlines and been used by militaries across the globe.

What was the Connie designed to do?

As the Connie was designed to change the face of commercial flight —it was as experimental, in some ways, as the early commercial aircraft of the late 1920s—there were issues during its infancy. Lockheed was flexing the limits of piston-engine technology, and the engine’s complex design required maintenance, and sometimes replacement parts, at rates that would be considered unacceptable with the forthcoming introduction of jet airplanes.

How fast was the Connie?

The Connie averaged 331 mph, flying nonstop in six hours, 57 minutes, and 51 seconds on this flight.

What was the Navy’s nickname for the Connies?

By 1948, the Navy was calling in orders for Connies to act as long-range patrol aircraft , nicknamed Po-Boys from the PO-1 designation then in use. In time, Constellations would be used for everything from rescue missions and VIP transports to airborne early warning missions and the mapping of the earth’s magnetic field.

How many passengers can a Lockheed airplane carry?

He hoped to hire Lockheed to design a revolutionary aircraft capable of comfortably shuttling 20 passengers and 6,000 pounds of cargo across the United States, offering commercial aviation’s first coast-to-coast, non-stop service. But the Lockheed team had come to express even grander ambitions.

How fast would the Constellation go?

It would be faster than most World War II fighters at 350 mph.

How long was the HARS flight?

The aircraft stopped at Oakland, Honolulu, Pago Pago, and Nadi on the way, totaling a flight time of 39.5 hours.

When was the L-1049 Super Constellation introduced?

The Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation was a considerably influential aircraft following its introduction in December 1951. The plane had a range of 4,480 NM (5,150 mi), and it was at least twice as fuel-efficient as the preliminary jets that were around during the time. With 70 years passing since the type’s first flight, are there any units still flying?

When was the last time the L-1049 was used?

The L-1049 Super Constellation last flew commercially in the United States in February 1968, with Eastern putting the plane to rest in the country. It wouldn’t be until 1993 for the final commercial L-1049 to be conducted. This was when the FAA banned all airlines from the Dominican Republic. Those operating in this nation were the last to commercially fly the family.

Who made the XC-69 Constellation?

Lockheed eventually reacquired the XC-69 Constellation prototype model from the Hughes Tool Company. The company stretched it by 18 ft (5.5 m) to create the basis for the L-1049 Super Constellation. TWA was once again another primary user of this type. Eastern, Air France, KLM, TCA, Qantas, PIA, and Avianca were some additional key operators.

Who inspired the constellation?

The legendary Howard Hughes had inspired the Constellation series. The aviator was keen to increase his presence in the industry and met with important Lockheed Corporation personnel, including Chief engineer Hall Hibbard, chief research engineer Kelly Johnson, and president Robert Gross. The trio listened to Hughes’ desires, and the Constellation program was born.

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Was the TWA a success?

The project was a success. The USAAF and TWA were two operators that debuted family in the 1940s, ensuring it covered good ground across commercial and military services.

The prior engagements

After purchasing a majority share of TWA in 1939, Hughes had a meeting with key Lockheed Corporation figures. Chief engineer Hall Hibbard, chief research engineer Kelly Johnson, and president Robert Gross listened to the aviator’s requests. The two parties left the meeting with even greater ambitions than they entered with.

Kicking off the deliveries

The Lockheed Constellation, nicknamed Connie, was introduced in 1943 with the USAAF, playing an important role in World War II. However, TWA became the first commercial operator just two years later. It was the first widespread airliner with pressurization in its cabin.

The Super Constellation

At the turn of the 1950s, Lockheed repurchased the XC-69 Constellation prototype model from the Hughes Tool Company. The firm lengthened it by 18 ft (5.5 m) to form the structure for the L-1049 Super Constellation.

Plenty to shout about

There were several advancements with the introduction of the Super Constellation. Reclining seats, air conditioning, and extra lavatories on board were some key additions. Lockheed Martin notes that it was at least twice as fuel-efficient as the preliminary jets that were around.

A new market

The success of the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8 led to the decline of the Super Constellation. The last US L1049 was conducted by Eastern Airlines in February 1968. Following this, the final commercial L-1049 flight was in 1993. This was due to the FAA banning all carriers from the Dominican Republic that flew the type.

What was the first commercial airliner to have pressurization?

The Lockheed Constellation, nicknamed Connie, was introduced in 1943 with the USAAF, playing an important role in World War II. However, TWA became the first commercial operator just two years later. It was the first widespread airliner with pressurization in its cabin.

How fast can a Lockheed L-1049G fly?

The aircraft carried 77 passengers and could reach a cruise of up to 530 km/h (330 mph). The model conducted the flag carrier of Germany’s first intercontinental flight, a journey from Hamburg to New York via Düsseldorf and Shannon.

What led to the formation of the Lockheed Constellation?

The rendezvous led to the formation of the Lockheed Constellation. Notably, Hughes was keen to grab a bigger slice of the market with this aircraft. As a result, he required outright secrecy with the program and asked Lockheed not to sell the plane to any other transcontinental carrier until his airline had 35 units delivered.

How high did the Connie fly?

Connie helped to achieve many groundbreaking feats. For instance, the type became the first commercial plane to fly above 12,500 ft (3,810 m). This aspect helped it conduct the first nonstop coast-to-coast commercial flight.

How tall was the L-1049C?

The L-1049C had a length of 113 ft 7 in (34.62 m), a wingspan of 123 ft (37 m), and a height of 24 ft 9 in (7.54 m). Four Wright R-3350 972-TC-18DA-1 Duplex-Cyclone helped it reach a maximum speed of 330 mph (530 km/h) and range of 4,480 NM (8,280 km / 5,150 mi).

How many L-1049s were built?

At least 18 variants of the L-1049 were designed or planned. 48 units of the L-1049C, the civilian version of the military L-1049B, were produced. A pilot, copilot, navigator, radio operator, and flight engineer made up the five-person crew. Meanwhile, between 47 to 106 passengers could fit in the cabin.

What was the impact of propellers on the aviation industry?

The propeller-driven, four-engine airliner was a revolution in the industry. Following its entry to service, passengers could fly well above poor weather for the first time in aviation history. Therefore, flight operations became safer and easier to coordinate.

Taking it to the next level

Howard Hughes was ever-present across social and business spectrums in the United States. This factor was exemplified in the world of aviation. The film producer, businessman, engineer, and of course, aviator was behind several pioneering flight initiatives in the early and mid 20th century.

Call of duty

The first of the variants to fly was the L-049, with 14 military and 74 civilian units being produced of the type. Its maiden flight was conducted by a military build.

Plenty to shout about

Allen was ecstatic about the flight controls and avionics and even joked that he wasn’t required to fly the plane. The L-049 provided the first hydraulically boosted power controls, which was largely power steering for aircraft.

Versatile equipment

Even though the plane was a vital force in WWII, its value didn’t end after the fall of the war. It also had a crucial role in commercial aviation in the decades that followed.

Pioneering spirit

During its heyday, Connie conducted several groundbreaking achievements. For example, the aircraft became the first commercial plane to fly above 12,500 ft (3,810 m). This feat helped it perform the first nonstop coast-to-coast commercial service.