Queen of the Skies: The Lockheed Constellation

by Claude G. Luisada

Overview

A revolutionary commercial propeller transport, the Lockheed Constellation burst on the aviation scene in the early 1940s. Unheralded for the most part, due to wartime secrecy, it finally entered commercial service in 1946, and promptly set new standards for speed, range, reliability, and passenger comfort. The Connie, as it was affectionately known, pioneered new flight paths in many parts of the globe. Connies ultimately flew commercially for more than thirty years, and underwent countless modifications and upgrades during that time. They continued to be utilized by the military as well; in fact, Connies were involved in a number of endeavors that remain shrouded in secrecy to this day. This, then, is the story of a remarkable and distinctive airplane. It is also the story of the people who made the Constellation great, including aviation legends like Howard Hughes and Clarence "Kelly" Johnson. Most importantly, however, it is a story that sheds light on the dynamics of technology, politics, and society in the years 1940 to 1980. This revised edition contains an additional chapter on Constellations that are still flying today, as well as an additional appendix of the Constellation's operations manual.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780764346392
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
Publication date:	06/28/2014
Pages:	424
Product dimensions:	7.10(w) x 10.10(h) x 1.70(d)

About the Author

Claude G. Luisada is a life-long aviation enthusiast, a past student pilot, and a freelance contributor to the first aerospace encyclopedia, Above and Beyond. He is also a long-time member of the Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, where he holds the rank of Lt. Colonel and an aero¬nautical rating of Master Observer. During his many years in the Civil Air Patrol, he has held numerous staff and command positions. Mr. Luisada currently resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Table of Contents

Author's Note ix

Prologue xi

Introduction Modern Legend of the Skyways xv

Chapter 1 Whence It All Began 1

Chapter 2 The Birth of an Idea 13

Chapter 3 The First One 21

Chapter 4 World War II and the Constellation Enlists 45

Chapter 5 The Constellation Spreads Its Wings 61

Chapter 6 Horsepower, Give Me More Horsepower! 81

Chapter 7 The Constellation Stretch 95

Chapter 8 A New Member of the Family: The Warning Star 115

Chapter 9 The Constellation in Various Military Versions 153

Chapter 10 The Super G Constellation 167

Chapter 11 Byword of the Airlines 193

Chapter 12 The Last and Greatest: The L-1649A 223

Chapter 13 TWA and the Constellation 265

Chapter 14 Fading Glory 297

Chapter 15 Accidents, Incidents, and the Legend Grows 307

Chapter 16 Second String Star-SEA 321

Chapter 17 So Connies Don't Fly Anymore, Huh? 341

Epilogue How Did She Really Stack Up? 367

Appendices 379

Postscript The Legend Lives On 386

Additional Photos 387

Bibliography 392

Acknowledgments 393

Index 395