Ground Handling, Smokey Start and Flaming Takeoff of world's last flying Lockheed L-1049/C-121C Super Constellation (Connie) with registration VH-EAG during the period of Airshows Downunder Shellharbour in March 2024. Super Constellation is arguably regarded as the most beautiful airliner ever built.
This aircraft is preserved at HARS Aviation Museum at Shellharbour Airport (WOL/HYSHL) NSW Australia. It is still conducting flight display on a regular basis at major airshows and ceremonial events within Australia, and flying for maintenance and pilot training purposes locally at Shellharbour Airport (WOL/YSHL).
If you want to have a look at this Connie, inside and outside, in static display and, with loads of luck, flying circuit training, the museum website is: [ Ссылка ]. This museum also boasts the world's only airworthy Lockheed P-2 Neptune.
Aircraft History - from HARS Aviation Museum website.
"VH-EAG ‘Southern Preservation’ is in fact the militarized version of the Super Constellation or ‘Connie’ as it is affectionately known. It was originally built as a C-121C for the United States Air Force, serial number 54-0157, c/n 4176, and was delivered on 6 October 1955 when it was allocated to the 1608th Military Air Transport Wing based at Charleston, South Carolina. On 25 July 1962 it was transferred to the Mississippi Air National Guard and on 14 February 1967 it moved on to West Virginia Air National Guard, where it served for the next five years. Connie’s last active duty was with the Pennsylvania Air National Guard from mid 1972 until its relegation to storage at Davis Monthan Air Base at Tucson, Arizona in June 1977."
This plane is powered by four Wright R3350-93A (3,350 cu in or ~55 L) fuel injected 18-cylinder radial engines (This Wright engine, with a slight difference, also powers Boeing B-29 Superfortress). Each engine is equipped with internal supercharger and three external power recovery turbines. Each engine provides a power of approximately 2,900 to 3,400 brake horsepower (BHP) subject to the fuel used.
Some Aircraft Parameters:
Maximum takeoff weight: 54.5 - 62.4 tons subject to the fuel used.
Propeller diameter: 5.13 m
Crew: 5, consisting of 2 pilots, flight engineer, radio operator, and navigator
