The Lockheed L-749 Constellation is the first Lockheed Constellation to regularly cross the Atlantic Ocean non-stop. Although similar in appearance to the L-649 before it, the L-749 had a larger fuel capacity, strengthened landing gear, and eventually weather radar.
L-749 Constellation
A Trans World Airlines L-749A at London's Heathrow Airport. Note the "Speedpak" removable freight container beneath the fuselage.
In early 1947, the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation unveiled the L-749, a derivative of its L-649 Constellation with fuel tanks to increase its maximum range by 1,000 statute miles (1,600 km). Due to the increased weight, the landing gear and tires had to be strengthened. Jet stacks were also introduced, increasing speed by 15 mph (24 km/h). These jet stacks increased the noise, requiring more insulation. As with the L-649, ten different layouts of the internal cabin were possible. Airlines originally attracted to the L-649 changed their orders to the L-749. The L-749 was to become the standard version of the regular Constellation.[3][4][5]
In March 1947, 1,200 jobs were lost at Lockheed, bringing production of the aircraft to a near stand-still. This was due to the end of military production from World War II bringing a reduction in the number of needed workers. A large order from the United States Air Force for 10 L-749As, designated C-121 Constellation, saved the Constellation program from cancellation. The United States Navy followed in, ordering two L-749As as PO-1Ws (later WV-1s). The first L-749A off the production lines were destined for the military.
The Aviodrome's C-121A Constellation in the colors of a KLM L-749.
Lockheed started producing the improved L-749A in 1949. It had a strengthened fuselage, further strengthened landing gear and a Plycor floor. This increased its weight by over 4,000 pounds (1,800 kg) and increased the MTOW. Slightly redesigned engine cowlings and new Curtiss Electric propellers were also introduced. Lockheed also offered a L-749 to L-749A conversion kit. The first civil customer for the L-749A was South African Airways but its largest customer was TWA, which had 26 L-749As; the last of these were not retired until 1967. A cargo version of the L-749A based on the military C-121A was offered, but no airlines showed interest and it never left the drawing board. An L-749B turboprop version was envisaged, but this too never left the drawing board as no reliable engine was found. Production of the L-749A ended in 1951 to give way to its stretched successor, the L-1049 Super Constellation.
^Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
Bibliography
Breffort, Dominique. Lockheed Constellation: from Excalibur to Starliner Civilian and Military Variants. Histoire and Collecions, 2006, Paris, France. Print. ISBN2-915239-62-2.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lockheed Constellation.
Lockheed Constellation Survivors - A website that explains information and whereabouts of surviving Constellations of all variants, including the L-749 Constellation.
May 02, 2024
lockheed, constellation, first, lockheed, constellation, regularly, cross, atlantic, ocean, stop, although, similar, appearance, before, larger, fuel, capacity, strengthened, landing, gear, eventually, weather, radar, constellation, trans, world, airlines, 749. The Lockheed L 749 Constellation is the first Lockheed Constellation to regularly cross the Atlantic Ocean non stop Although similar in appearance to the L 649 before it the L 749 had a larger fuel capacity strengthened landing gear and eventually weather radar L 749 Constellation A Trans World Airlines L 749A at London s Heathrow Airport Note the Speedpak removable freight container beneath the fuselage Role Airliner National origin United States Manufacturer Lockheed Corporation First flight March 14 1947 1 Introduction April 18 1947 Retired 1993 Primary users Trans World AirlinesAir France KLM Eastern Air Lines Produced 1947 1951 2 3 Number built 119 Developed from Lockheed L 649 Constellation Variants Lockheed C 121 Constellation Lockheed PO 1W WV 1 Constellation Contents 1 Design and development 2 Variants 3 Specifications L 749 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksDesign and development editIn early 1947 the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation unveiled the L 749 a derivative of its L 649 Constellation with fuel tanks to increase its maximum range by 1 000 statute miles 1 600 km Due to the increased weight the landing gear and tires had to be strengthened Jet stacks were also introduced increasing speed by 15 mph 24 km h These jet stacks increased the noise requiring more insulation As with the L 649 ten different layouts of the internal cabin were possible Airlines originally attracted to the L 649 changed their orders to the L 749 The L 749 was to become the standard version of the regular Constellation 3 4 5 The L 749 first flew on March 14 1947 1 and received certification that same month The first L 749 was delivered to Air France on April 18 1947 Pan American World Airways received its first L 749 in June and L 749 service began the same month on their Round The World service The L 749 also entered service with various other airlines including Trans World Airlines TWA KLM Cubana de Aviacion Linea Aeropostal Venezolana and Avianca In March 1947 1 200 jobs were lost at Lockheed bringing production of the aircraft to a near stand still This was due to the end of military production from World War II bringing a reduction in the number of needed workers A large order from the United States Air Force for 10 L 749As designated C 121 Constellation saved the Constellation program from cancellation The United States Navy followed in ordering two L 749As as PO 1Ws later WV 1s The first L 749A off the production lines were destined for the military nbsp The Aviodrome s C 121A Constellation in the colors of a KLM L 749 Lockheed started producing the improved L 749A in 1949 It had a strengthened fuselage further strengthened landing gear and a Plycor floor This increased its weight by over 4 000 pounds 1 800 kg and increased the MTOW Slightly redesigned engine cowlings and new Curtiss Electric propellers were also introduced Lockheed also offered a L 749 to L 749A conversion kit The first civil customer for the L 749A was South African Airways but its largest customer was TWA which had 26 L 749As the last of these were not retired until 1967 A cargo version of the L 749A based on the military C 121A was offered but no airlines showed interest and it never left the drawing board An L 749B turboprop version was envisaged but this too never left the drawing board as no reliable engine was found Production of the L 749A ended in 1951 to give way to its stretched successor the L 1049 Super Constellation nbsp Iranian Airways L 749 on an Iranian 200 rial note from the 1950sVariants editMain article Lockheed Constellation variants nbsp A Skyways of London L 749A at Manchester Ringway Airport on August 11 1963 nbsp An L 749A of CAUSA L 749 Standard production version powered by four Wright R 3350 749C18BD 1 radial engines 60 built L 749A Reinforced structure and an increased MTOW 59 built L 749B Proposed turboprop version None built L 849 Planned version of L 749 powered by Wright R 3350 TurboCompound engines L 949 Proposed Speedfreighter combi version of L 849 with an 18 ft 4 in 5 59 m fuselage stretch 3 Specifications L 749 edit nbsp 3 view line drawing of the Lockheed Model 649 Constellation nbsp The cockpit of an L 749 Data from American Museum of Aviation 1 General characteristicsCrew 6 8 captain first officer radio operator flight engineer and 2 4 flight attendants Capacity 60 81 passengers Length 97 ft 4 in 29 67 m Wingspan 123 ft 37 m Height 22 ft 5 in 6 83 m Wing area 1 650 sq ft 153 m2 Aspect ratio 9 17 Airfoil root NACA 23018 tip NACA 4412 6 Empty weight 56 590 lb 25 669 kg Max takeoff weight 107 000 lb 48 534 kg Powerplant 4 Wright R 3350 749C18BD 1 Duplex Cyclone 18 cylinder air cooled radial piston engines 2 500 hp 1 900 kW each Propellers 3 bladed constant speed fully feathering propellers Performance Cruise speed 345 mph 555 km h 300 kn Range 4 995 mi 8 039 km 4 341 nmi maximum fuel 2 600 mi 2 259 nmi 4 184 km maximum payload dd dd dd Service ceiling 24 100 ft 7 300 m See also edit nbsp Aviation portal Related development Lockheed Constellation Lockheed L 049 Constellation Lockheed C 69 Constellation Lockheed L 649 Constellation Lockheed L 1049 Super Constellation Lockheed C 121 R7V Constellation Lockheed EC 121 Warning Star Lockheed L 1649A Starliner Aircraft of comparable role configuration and era Boeing 377 Stratocruiser Bristol Britannia Douglas DC 4 Douglas DC 6 Douglas DC 7 Ilyushin Il 18 Lockheed L 188 Electra Republic XF 12 Rainbow Vickers Viscount Related lists List of Lockheed aircraft List of models of the Lockheed Constellation List of Lockheed Constellation operatorsReferences editCitations a b c The American Museum of Aviation Lockheed L 749 Technical Specifications Retrieved 9 6 11 US Warplanes C 69 C 121 Archived 2015 10 26 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 9 6 11 a b c Breffort Lockheed Constellation pp 40 45 Lockheed Constellation Survivors L649 L749 Constellation Petersen Ralph M Retrieved 9 6 11 California Classic Proliners Lockheed Constellations Gibson Tom Retrieved 9 6 11 Lednicer David The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage m selig ae illinois edu Retrieved 16 April 2019 Bibliography Breffort Dominique Lockheed Constellation from Excalibur to Starliner Civilian and Military Variants Histoire and Collecions 2006 Paris France Print ISBN 2 915239 62 2 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lockheed Constellation Lockheed Constellation Survivors A website that explains information and whereabouts of surviving Constellations of all variants including the L 749 Constellation Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Lockheed L 749 Constellation amp oldid 1211180744, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
