Super Constellation Flybys & Landing - WOI 2016
68Note the Caribou pilot almost using his work call sign 'Qantas'...
Qantas and the Lockheed Constellation (History)
The first of the Qantas L-1049 Super Constellations was delivered on 15 April 1954, and just one month later Qantas used it to inaugurate its Pacific service.
On 14 January 1958, two Qantas Super Constellations left Melbourne, to begin the Qantas round the world service, first visiting Sydney and then flying off in opposite directions, both arriving back in Sydney on 20 January.
By that time Qantas had a fleet of sixteen Super Constellations. The previous year Qantas had decided on its replacement with Boeing 707s, and had placed an order for seven. The first of these was delivered to Qantas on 29 June 1959, making Qantas the first airline outside America to fly American jet aircraft. They progressively replaced the Super Constellations. The last Qantas Super Constellation to be sold was the first one to be delivered; it left Sydney on 3 May 1963.
https://ashet.org.au/constellation/
History of Connie (VH-EAG - #4176)
VH-EAG ‘Southern Preservation’ is in fact the militarised version of the Super Constellation or ‘Connie’ as it is affectionately known.
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.
On 3 February 1996 the Super Constellation VH-EAG arrived in Sydney after an incident free crossing of 39.5 hours flying time. Stops on the delivery flight to Australia were made at Oakland, Honolulu, Pago Pago and Nadi.
Connie is one of only two flying L-1049 Super Constellations in the world. The other is the Breitling Super Constellation in Switzerland. Amazingly both aircraft were built next to each other in the factory. Connie is #4176 and Breitling Constellation is #4177.
Cruising speed: ~400-480 km/h (260 kt)
Ceiling: ~25,000 ft
Range: ~5,600 km (about 3,000 nm)
Crew: 2 pilots, flight engineer, radio operator, navigator, cabin staff
Passengers: 59-87 Qantas configuration
https://hars.org.au/lockheed-c-121c-super-constellation/