| PAUL DYKEMAN, e-mail, 13.06.2022 04:39 I was the ACICO on Captain Larsen crew, CREW 1 1964-1965. Remember the Scotland trips after the last barrier before returning to Arg.
|
| bernard schnieders, e-mail, 13.12.2021 18:50 I was in the 964th sqdn from March62 uutil retiring in Jan 73. Flew both as a Nav and a WC. Flew mission s out of Fiji during high alt atomic testing, missons during Mercury 7 landing in the Pacific. Landed in Venzuala . Was on the 1st 552nd bird to land in Saigon. My first tour was 150 days, The 2nd was 120 days and 3tours of 90 days, Also a couple of tours in Iceland.Now I am a full Rver traveling in the good USA.
|
| Ron Spacone, e-mail, 05.08.2016 15:52 I flew as Weapons Controller on the EC-121 for the 964th out of McClellan AFB from 1965-68 with three tours with Big Eye and College Eye. Really enjoyed my Air Force years and the many fine individuals I served with. This was a very dependable aircraft although but radar system wasn't that great.
|
| Ken Bendy, e-mail, 28.01.2016 17:23 I posted a comment about 5 years ago on this site. I just want to let all my connie brothers to know there are two great facebook pages you can join. EC121/C121/C69 and Lockheed Constellation. The former is mostly Ex Military guys like me and the latter mostly Airline guys but every one with Connie experience is welcome to join both sites. Lots of great memories and loads of photos of the old gal!
|
| Bud Johnson, e-mail, 22.01.2016 00:26 I was a
I was a FE on R7V-1 from 1956 to 1963 with VR-7 first at Hickam AFB an later at Moffit Field Ca. We flew the embasy route from Travis AFB to Dahran Saudi Arabia. That Plane had more panache then any aircraft I ever flew or worked on
s
|
| Klaatu83, e-mail, 28.10.2015 04:54 Thanks to Howard Hughes, who personally ordered the development of this outstanding airplane, when WW-II was over Lockheed was all ready to mass-produce this world-beating airliner.
|
| Jim, e-mail, 17.09.2015 06:30 I flew on the EC-121R AKA The Lockheed Flying Speedbrake at Korat RTAFB with the 553 Recon. sq as a CIM(Combat Information Monitor)69-70. It beat packing parachutes in Kansas.
|
| Herman Willemsen, e-mail, 01.04.2015 02:40 I would like to make contact with anyone who served as
Radio Operator on a Connie.
|
| Charles Lindsey, e-mail, 20.01.2015 01:51 I have a picture of one I took at Chu Lai about September, 1969. A beautiful plane. Although a c-47 is still my Favourite.
|
| Ronnie Smith, e-mail, 27.12.2014 00:47 the first 2 weeks of jan 1963 i flew out of hickem to san francisco about half way we lost our 2nd engine and returned to hickem for about 3 days,the plane was repaired and we left on the same plane headed to san francisco this time we made it if anyone remenbers this flight please contact me its very important thanks Ronnie
|
| Frank Heckart, e-mail, 10.07.2014 00:35 Worked on the EC-121 with the 551st FMS Otis, AFB, Mass.
1956-57. Also, flew on a C-121 from South Pacific to Moffet Field, CA Apr 54. Good flight except lost one engine on way to Hawaii.
|
| Joseph Aksamit Jr, e-mail, 25.01.2014 21:11 I flew on the Connie from Charleston SC to Wheelus in Tripoli Libya, 1959 returned 1961. We made stops in Bermuda, Azores and then to Tripoli Libya. I was a long trip but a very nice airplane. No stop in Burmuda on the way back.
|
| Barry Fulcher, e-mail, 16.01.2014 00:01 I was in the 964 at McClellan Dec 66 to Aug 70.I know the Triple nickle vary well. She became my mane AC on College Eye. She had some IFF mods that kept the Migs down. I had lot of aborts but always got home safe. Scope Dope and Intelligence Officer for the wing as an E4, I know, makes no sense at all.
|
| Ole Olson, e-mail, 07.01.2014 23:37 I flew the "connies" out of McClellan, CA during the early 1970s. Was first assigned to BatCat, the radio connie at Korat,TH and when it cancelled before my first mission I got stuck in the 963rd out of McClellan CA. I say "stuck" because it was not a prestegious airplane in what the AFChiefofStaff referred to as "our All Jet AF"! But I sure did enjoy our role in SEA flying lookout for the B-52s bombing NVNam. I earned my 2nd AirMedal when our crew assisted in shooting down a Mig-17 ( we steered the F-4 in for the kill ). Even more rewarding was our role in putting friendly aircraft that had taken a hit onto the 135 tankers orbiting Laos airspace like ourselves. But the best thing we did was marking our radar scopes and directing rescue traffic in to pick up "downed pilots"!
It doesn't get any better than successfully recovering a downed fellow airman!
|
| Ed Worsham, e-mail, 30.12.2013 10:30 A question really: I saw a Connie display in the window of some airline in NY in late 40's. I seem to recall that the display showed slits cut in the side of the tires that would catch the wind and start them turning before landing. I have never found anyone to verify this, so am beginning to wonder if I dreamed it. Anyway, as a 12 year old I understood and was impressed. True, or not?
|
| Norman Houle, e-mail, 09.12.2013 22:13 Dec. 09-2013 Up at the L&A Airport in Auburn, ME there is a major reconstruction project on the way on a CONSTELLATION.
I think this CONNIE was owned by LUFTHANSA when new and latter by TWA. If you can find it there is a article in the Feb 2009 (Vol.45 - No 2)issue of AIR CLASSICS MAGAZINE.
|
| Lou DeSantis, e-mail, 16.01.2013 00:59 1961-1962 I was a mechanic asigned to the 445th FIS (F101B), then to the 1503rd, MATS, Tachikawa AFB Japan. I first had to retrain from Jets to Recips on C121s at Moffit Naval Air Station for 5 weeks. Learned alot about "OIL LEAKS". At Tachi I worked mostly on C124s, C118s, C54s, and C130s, but hated to see a C121 on the deck "Oil-Oil-Oil" I had to have a spare uniform at the shop. Spent most of the time on many TDYs East and South Asia. I got discharged July 1965. I got an FAA A&P licence and went to work for TWA in Kansas City, in was Super Conies "heaven".
|
| Louis Luchini, e-mail, 19.12.2012 00:20 I was and AE2 on the super connie's stationed at NAS Agana Guam from 1968 to 1971, in VW-1. The first Typhon scared the crap out of me, eventually it became old hat. Flew MIG barriers out of Chu-li and Danang when we wern't typhonning. Very proud to have served with the finest sailors in the fleet. Always a special place in my heart. God bless and pray for our service personnal in harms way.
|
| Dusty Rhoads, e-mail, 31.08.2012 16:47 I worked on 6 Connie s at Brunswick Ga 1961 / 1964 If it did not leak oil some where it had something wrong . just a wonderful plane.
|
| Jim Williamson, e-mail, 16.07.2012 06:43 I got the chanch to fly to alaska on a connie as smooth
as silk.
I was talking with the crew chief,he was with the Air Force
N/G there two week summer training was split up and they
would fly wounded out of Nam.
|
| John J. Doyle, e-mail, 07.07.2012 05:50 Just stopped by this Connie site to see what's cooking.
When I left Allegeny County Airport in Pittsburgh for Lackland AFB a Connie was waiting for us. I had a window seat next to the left wing. An oil slick covered both engine nacelles. You could watch the oil quiver in the wind. So I end up a recip engine mech on KC-97's in SAC. Then I was transferred to Tachikawa, Japan to work on
C-124's and anything else that broke on the flight line.
In comes a Navy Super G Med Evac with a feathered engine.
We pop the cowling and discover the exhaust collector ring had broken and the heat blast burned off half the top of the cylinder, rocker box cover completely gone. We repaired the exhaust and replaced the jug in the middle of the night. We had her run up and ready to go in the morning. What comes around goes around. Always loved the looks of the Connie, but nothing beats the KC-97, the Cadillac of the Sky, for a smooth ride.
|
| Ray Holguin, e-mail, 30.06.2012 23:13 I flew on the "connies" from 61-62 as an FTS. I was stationed in Moffett Fld, Calif. VR-7 and VR-8. We flew to Hickham,Hawaii and all points west. It was an experience. A few years ago, We drove to The Grand Canyon on our way to Vegas, and on the way to the canyon, to my surprise,I saw a connie on display in a tourist area. I don't know if it is still there. Brought back some memories.
|
| Guy Font, e-mail, 03.06.2012 06:33 Was on Midway "AEWBARRONPACMIDET" 1962 to 1964 Had an EC-121 Take off every 3 hours for two years.They flet the wagon wheel from Midway TO Alaska.The prettiest plane ever.Island would rumble on take off.The mail plane was also a Super Connie but no raydomes and the tails were painted Orange.Only remember one Hanger Queen AC 15 I think,Swear that plane made more weird sounds in the air than any plane ever been on.1st 3 months on Island I was at Inflight Mess which was so much better than reg mess hall and we had to pack the food for the barrier flights Box lunches and steaks The crews ate well.And so did we till we went back to regular duty.Twas was fun for a 17 year old on the Kiddy Cruise.
|
| Steve McKee, e-mail, 01.06.2012 02:40 Thanks for the backup Kerry. Your statements are correctand yes 555 is on display at WPAFB Air force Museum. I flew on the EC 121H models out of Otis AFB MA from 1963 to 1969. We never had parachutes on our aircraft but I had to take the training in case I needed to use one. Never could figure that one out. 53-535 was the last H model in existence until mid 2011. It was sold to a group in Australia for spare parts and the rest scrapped. Sorry to see that happen.
|
| Kerry I Keehn, e-mail, 31.05.2012 19:39 Royce,
Steve is correct, triple nickle (555) flew out of McClellan AFB.and was an EC121. I was stationed at McClellan from 1965 till discharge in 1968.I was in the 963rd. I flew on 555 a few times, as well as other EC121's. as a Radar operator. Skip,when I was there we had no parachutes anymore, we did get them back when we were over the pond. As to the post stating that she was an oily bird, all I can say is that if you didn't see a puddle of oil you
wondered what was wrong.And finally I think 555
is on display at Wright Pat in Ohio.
Best Regards
Kerry
|
| Steve McKee, e-mail, 31.05.2012 15:42 Royce 555 Triple Nickle was a EC-121D AEW aircraft. Don't believe it was used to ferry passengers.
|
| Royce Ingram SMS USAF RET, e-mail, 09.04.2012 17:36 C-121 Super Connie triple nickle 555 was one of the 121's that flew the weekley embasy flight from Charleston to Dharan Saudi Arabia. Many time it had to wait for parts (engine - radar - etc) to be brought in on the next weeks flight before making the return trip.
|
| Royce R. Ingram SMSGT RET, e-mail, 09.04.2012 17:33 C-121 Super connie was one of the 121's that flew the weekley embasy flight from Charleston to Dharan Saudi Arabia. Many time it had to wait for parts (engine - radar - etc) to be brought in on the next weeks flight before making the return trip.
|
| Skip, e-mail, 14.03.2012 01:05 Flew out of McClellen AFB 965 AEW&C Sqdn from 1959 - 1961 The Pacific was our responibility. I can still remember the day they took our Parachutes away from us. I kind a got comfortable knowing that it was hanging there just above my head. Had many interesting missions on Triple Nickle.
|
| ROGER FULTON, e-mail, 18.02.2012 23:31 I FLEW AS A RADAR TECH VW11 ARGENTIA NEWFOUNDLAND FROM 1956 1960 WE LOST 5 PLANES DURING THAT TIME 4 IN NEWFOUNDLAND ONE IN PAX RIVER
|
| Chuck Cass, e-mail, 18.12.2011 23:14 My step-dad,Roland "Marty" Martin, was a crew chief on the C-119 (Flying Boxcar)at McClellan AFB when he was in the AF Reserves.We lived on I street in Rio Linda and the runway was at the end of the street.I used to sit and watch the planes take off and thought the Connie RADAR planes were the most beautiful planes in the sky.
|
| Richard Parker, LCdr,NAO-C, US, e-mail, 10.10.2011 04:44 The model 749 Connie was the second operational AEW (AWACS) aircraft. The first was the Boeing PB-1W, a modified B-17G. Two were built as prototypes for the AEW program as PO-1Ws, later WV-1s, and took part in many NATO fleet exercises. It was flown by VW-2 in 1951-52 and then by VW-1. They had the same APS-20 radar as the PB-1W but also had a prototype top mount APS-45 heigth-finder radar.
|
| Hal Schedler, e-mail, 18.08.2011 07:52 I was an AC/IP/WC ( Weapons Controller) on the Connie for 10 years, (1959-1969) and have many fond memories. I flew at least one mission when I didn't see more of the runway than the runway lights out of my left side window (rain and fog). The "Connie" took us through ALL kinds of weather (including icing) and brought us home. I flew out of Otis AFB on Cape Cod.
|
| Ralph Mayer, e-mail, 23.06.2011 00:38 I served in VW-3 and later Vw-1 on Guam 59-61. The hum of those 3350's usually put me to sleep during takeoff. We had 7-8 wv's with radomes and one for transportation with all the seat facing aft. I have never felt as safe as while flying in a connie. A marvelous aircraft!
|
| Lynn McAtee, e-mail, 13.05.2011 11:44 I waw flight engineer on the EC-121D & t, from 1970 thru 74, assigned to the 963rd AEW&C, McClellan AFB CA. TDY many times to Keflavik, Kwang Ju Korea, Korat and "Other" armpits of the world. Was on the crew who flew radar control on the first bird at Hanoi on Dec 22, 1972. Loved the aircraft, a real sweetheart. Always loved to hear the engine noise at start up. Pop and bang and rumble, complete with huge clouds of blue smoke.
Also, the tension as I set "Max Power" on Heavy Weight Take Off. Solid, steady power. A real head trip even in my own mind today, these many years later.
|
| Larry Gibson, e-mail, 30.04.2011 23:00 No one has mentioned anything about the fact that this was Harry Truman's Air Force One. I still think it is one of the finest looking aircraft ever. My two favorite planes are the P-38 and SR-71. Never a pilot but did serve four years in the USAF.
|
| CHUB ERWIN, e-mail, 17.04.2011 01:08 we had 4 of these "connies" in our airborne early warnig sq. in jax. fla. vw-4 navy "hurricane hunters"......1955-1957
|
| James David Hudson, e-mail, 08.03.2011 21:14 I works as a mechanic on Air Force "Connies" from 1970 to 1972 at McClellan AFB,CA as part of the 552nd Periodic Maintenance Squadron. When I was taken to the hangar by my SSGT, and he we entered the hangar and I laid my eyes on my first Connie, I asked my SSGT. is this what I am going to be assigned to? He answered yes airman, and I quickly asked him, where are all the jet's and helicopter's at? And he replied, well airman, you should be proud to be part of the "AEW&C wing. We / you and the Connie's keep our nation safe from attack. We tell them what's up, then the jet's and helicopter's take over! At the time, I really did not understand what me meant, but within time I did. I am one proud veteran, a person who has served in a military force, especially one who has fought in a war: a Vietnam veteran.
|
| Herb Aiwohi, e-mail, 05.03.2011 10:31 I works as a mechanic on Air Force "Connies" from 1955 to 1958 at McClellan AFB,CA as part of the 552nd Periodic Maintenance Squadron. I joined the FAA in 1961 and later flew as a Flight Engineer on the L749As. The FAA had five L749A aircfraft stationed in HNL doing Flight Inspection and Calibration of Nav Aids. One Connie crashed at Canton Island and on crached at Tachikawa, Japan. Beautiful aircraft, fun to fly.
|
| Olen Barber, e-mail, 03.03.2011 21:57 Update on first posting. I was in AEWBARONPAC at Barber's Point from July 1959 until November of 1962. I was in the electronics flight crew. I had the same plane for almost the entire time I was there. Flew the Barrier out of Midway until Late in 1962 then was assigned to one of crews for the Johnson Island Bomb Test. In Japan I was assigned to VR7A at Tachie AFB. Not sure of the Spelling. We flew inter theater medical air-avac out of NAM, Clark AFB in the PI. and moved troupes in and out of Korea. I retired in July 1973.
|
| Olen Barber, e-mail, 03.03.2011 21:01 I went to Barber's point HI July 1959 and flew on the WV's or WC121 version until November of 1962.Then went to Japan and flew on the R7V version until November 1965. Then I went to VP31A which was Comnavairpac's Plane which was one of the old R7V's that had been converted into a VIP Plane until 1967.
Loved that Plane for getting home safely for about 6,000 Hours of Flight time.
|
| William( Bill) Peavey, e-mail, 28.02.2011 18:42 Connie FE. Flew with VW-4,Blue Angels,VAQ-33. There is nothing in the world like the sound of four 3350s at MAX power round engines for ever
|
| Sam Crenshaw, e-mail, 28.02.2011 05:30 I flew out of Guam for a yeaR AND A HALF IN VW-1 BEFORE TRANSFERRING FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS IN BARBERS POINT, HI and Midway Island to Alaska and back on Radar Line watching out for anything headed for USA.
|
| Floyd J. Richmond, e-mail, 03.02.2011 20:41 I was a Radar Crew Chief on the EC-121s at McClellan AFB, 964 AEW&C Sqdn from 1961 - 1964. Was on the crew that helped recover Mercury Atlas 9 by Midway and also helped recover the Discoverer Satellites out of Hickam. I'll always remember landing in Comox B.C. for fuel. The ramp was so clean you could eat off it. After we left it had about a barrel of oil on it. Triple Nickel (555) is at the AF Museum at Wright Patterson AFB.
|
| Royce Ingram SMS USAF RET, e-mail, 03.02.2011 03:54 Flew on Super Connie,from CharlestonAFB to Dharan, Saudi Arabia 1961. Four Hops, 40 flight hours.
|
| Pete Bruns, e-mail, 25.01.2011 19:48 I flew the EC121 out of McClellan AFB 69 to 73. Loved it. The speed, the sound and the smell of a real airplane.
|
| Ladson Geddings, e-mail, 10.01.2011 19:49 Captain's Radio Operator on Odan while in VW-2 at Pax River...'53-'54. Left as AT1 with 9 months toward Chief rating. Served with VR-6 on MATS R6Ds out of Westover, Mass prior.
|
| Jim Barrick, AT2, e-mail, 10.01.2011 18:03 I was a Radar Tech in Navy Squadron VW-2 from 1958-61 homeported in Patuxent River, Maryland. We flew the WV2 Willy Victor (later known as the EC-121K). Our squadron flew radar cover for the 7th Fleet in the Mediterranean. We we detached to Sigonella, Sicily, and landed in Barcelona, Spain; Pisa and Naples, Italy; Athens, Greece; and other boring places. Because we stayed overnight we had 24 hour passes and had to wear civilian clothes. It was the best "Connie" duty. I still have my 2,000 hour pin.
|
| Jay, e-mail, 04.01.2011 06:58 Oops...previous post needs correcting...those were R 3350-93A Turbo-Compound engines. Addendum...ours had tip tanks on them ...we burned more fuel (more drag=more fuel)and needed them.
|
| Jay, e-mail, 04.01.2011 06:52 EC121T Super Connie...great (but oily) aircraft. Was MO on them in SEA. The R3300-93A engines, when properly rebuilt, serviced and run, did a great job but were unwelcome at many ramps due to the big oil stains under every engine! Ours were flown at increased Gross weights with the big radome on the belly causing slower cruise speeds. Beautiful lines on the Supers. "Howard Hughes" specials as we called 'em!
|
| Ed Gorlin, e-mail, 12.12.2010 01:34 I flew the Connies out of McClellan AFB in the early 70's. We had missions in Southeast Asia, Iceland, and Korea. Great airplane and I have great memories.
|
| Andy Rusnak, e-mail, 28.11.2010 23:18 I flew as a Radio Operator on EC-121's with VQ-2 what a blast!
|
| Bill Wilson, e-mail, 15.11.2010 12:51 I was sent to Hickam AFB in Honolulu in Oct. 1955, with VR-7. Both VR-7 and VR-8 had the R7V Super Connies. They were the most beautiful birds that the US Navy ever had. The many hours that I spent in the R7V are the most memorable of my Navy career. I am currently a member of "Save The Connie" club. I'll soon be 75 years young but would give anything to spend one more flight in this bird. We were transferred from Hickam to Moffett Field, CA in '57. My wife was in her 9th month of her first pregnancy at this time. One of our planes became a flying delivery room for she and other wives for a most memorable flight to Moffett. Our son was born on July 24, 1957. I would love to hear from any others out there who served with VR-7. Remember the 'Nose Docks' at Hickam? One of the greatest planes to ever grace the skies.
|
| Gary Olsen, e-mail, 22.10.2010 16:01 I was a airbourne Radar Technician on EC-121's out of McClellan AFB. 65-69. Four tours(TDY) to "NAM". AC was always out(windows open) when in gulf of Tonkin on the deck.
|
| Paul Pelizzari, e-mail, 22.10.2010 14:41 I flew with the 961st. AEW Sq. 551st. Wing out of Otis AFB, Mass. from Jan. 57 to July 61. Over 3K flying hours logged. Saw all kinds of nasty weather over the Atlantic, but the planes never failed to bring us home safe. It was a different time, we were all young and macho then. Time really changes your perspective. GOOD AIRPLANE!
|
| Don Safer, e-mail, 17.10.2010 23:43 While in the Navy, stationed at North Island NAS San Diego, I would regularly travel home to the San Francisco Bay area, by air when I could afford it. That was more often than it might have been thanks to Trans California Airline and thier pre super Connies and the low fares. I believe they started in '64 flying San Diego to Los Angeles (LAX) and then on to Oakland. They were competing with turbo prop Lockheeds of PSA and the few remaining United (?) Airlines DC6s. Their schedule showed flying times only slightly longer than the turbo props but then they were never on schedule. ;>
In '65 they droped the San Diago leg so I would drive my '56 Chevy to LA and fly from there. Changing airlines at LAX was not practical since TCA used the old terminal along with some air freight airlines and all other passenger flights were out of the new terminal a couple of miles away. I flew PSA San Diego to LA once and changed to TCA to Oakland, taking a cab between terminals. The driver was not pleased as it was not far enough to make a profit and caused him to loose his place in line for a more lucrative fare. By the time I got back from my USS Kitty Hawk cruise, in June of '66, TCA was gone. ;< Still, I fondly remember the long leisurely flights with TCA while listening to the 4 lovely sounding recips.
|
| Robert Bascom, e-mail, 09.09.2010 20:49 In the l950's with Slick Airways we took delivery with the cargo version and I had the "privilege" of taxiing it down to the run-up area and I will never forget the "walking-gear". It was a beauty, though !!
|
| Richard L Morgan, e-mail, 27.08.2010 20:51 AEWBARSRON-2 with two VW squadrons became the largest US Navy squadron with over 2,000 personnel at Barber's Point Hawaii, named AEWBARONPAC in 1960, flew the northern Pacific DEW line. The flight crews deployed to Midway had the same aircraft & facilities as hangar 282 at Barber's Point. From May 1959 to Jun 1962 I worked in the enlisted & officer personnel offices and flew once to Hilo, Hawaii.
|
| Ron Susi, e-mail, 23.08.2010 22:22 Flew the Connie for three years out of Otis AFB until they closed the base in 1970. Pulled many tours out of Kelflavik. She was a great plane to fly in the bad winter weather of the North Atlantic. Had many occasions where we had to maintain station flying through heavy ice. The great engineers would keep the engines going and every so often we would have to inflate the wing and radome deicing boots to crack the ice off the wings and radar domes. Loved flying her but then also enjoyed moving over to jets and getting above it all.
|
| Bill Harris, e-mail, 25.07.2010 00:48 Now that I think of it, I believe the C-121C was Lockheed's L1049F. (You forget a lot after 50 years.)
|
| Bill Harris, e-mail, 24.07.2010 23:38 I flew the C-121c (L1049H) for about 2500 hours out of KCHS with Ted Dahlfors, & 60 or 70 other pilots, '58 to '62, & can vouch for what he says, except the airplanes went to several ANG locations. I recall training crews from PA, WV & MS. There were probably others.
|
| Lee Mullen, e-mail, 25.02.2010 20:16 My Mom worked for TWA in St. Louis in the 40's and had a small lapel pin of a Connie when that aircraft went into service there. She has passed this on down to my Son and it a very special keepsake.
|
| Ken Bendy, e-mail, 17.02.2010 04:00 I was a Flight Engineer in Navy Squadron VW-13 from 1963-1965 homeported in Argentia newfoundland. We flew the WV2 Willy Victor (later known as the EC-121K). We deployed to Keflavik Iceland every 28 days for 14-16 days. During that time we flew 8 sets of 12 hour flights as part of the North Atlantic Barrier (DEW Line). It was a great airplane that got us through some of the worst weather in the world. Feathered my share of those old turbo-compound R3350-42 engines though. It was a real engineer's airplane...couldn't fly the plane without us! Best and most professional duty I had in my 34 year Navy Career. Loved those Connies!
|
| Chuck Maerten, e-mail, 02.02.2010 03:09 Aug 17, 1961. Transferring from Ramstein AB, Germany to Andrews AFB, Md, our flight was on the Super Connie from
Rhein-Main to McGuire AFB, NJ. This was my wife's first
ever flight. She was a German citizen then. Our daughter,
2 years and 2 months. Also her first flight. Lasted 24
hours with refueling stops at Shannon/Prestwick and Harmon
AB, Nflnd. My parents and brother were at McGuire awaiting our arrival. Seems ONE person slipped thru the cracks and didn't have an up to date shot record. The plane was "quaranteened" for two hours. Hot! Smelly diapers all over. Finally set foot on NJ soil. But, the
"first flight" (of many AF moves) was one to remember as very comfortable, pleasant and, now, a fond memory. Later,
flew as radio op on VC-118 out of Elmendorf.
|
| Bill Locher, e-mail, 19.01.2010 14:37 I flew on Super Connies out of Guam as a Typhoon Tracker for almost 4 years(46 months) in the 60's. I logged 3300 hours chasing storms and flying low-level radar missions in the Tonkin Gulf. They always brought us home, sometimes on less than 4 engines but always made it. I'm very fortunate to have been a crew member on these great old planes.
|
| Phillip Carroll, e-mail, 08.01.2010 01:30 The First Aircraft I ever worked on as an US Navy Electrian Mate In JaX, Fl 1969 to 1972. We flew Haricanes and weather related missions. The A/C would fly forever on one fueling.. I think over 20 hours in the air.
|
| Dick Beck, e-mail, 01.01.2010 18:39 I did a tour in the EC121 (Willy Victor)in Iceland in the mid-60's. This adaptation had a big hump on top (height finder)and a big radome on the bottom. We flew out of Keflavik and covered the Atlantic between Iceland / Norway and Greenland as part of the DEW line. The airplane just inspired confidence. It was comfortable in weather and just solid as a rock. A real sweetheart!
|
| Ted Dahlfors, e-mail, 31.12.2009 17:27 I had the privilege of flying the military version (C-121) of the Super Constellation as an Instructor Pilot for the Military Airlift Transport Service (USAF) out of Charleston AFB, SC from 1958 to 1962 when we gave them to the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. While it was a maintenance nightmare if anything went wrong, due to all the redundant systems, when it all worked it was a wonderful and easy airplane to fly. We flew them all over the world and I enjoyed every minute of it.
|
| Harry Anderson, e-mail, 01.12.2009 04:34 When I was a child, my father was the civilian Fire Chief, Federal Civil Service, stationed at Midway Island, 1959 through 1963.There was a US Navy Squadron VP 50 stationed at Midway and they flew the "Willy Victor" Connies with the super charged engines. They were sub finders I believe with huge fiberglass humps top and bottom to accomodate radar equipment. I always enjoyed hearing the engines run up on the connies. They had such a powerful deep sound which could be heard where ever you were on the Island. Nothing in the flying world has the sound of a connie. I was fascinated with the aircraft as a kid. I still hear those engines in the distance when I wish to recall wonderful childhood memories.
|
| Bobba, e-mail, 27.10.2009 05:17 Old but Powerful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
|
| Wouter Hobe, e-mail, 25.09.2009 03:46 On arrival of the plane from the Far east at Schiphol airport I suddenly saw the flight engeneer running around the front to the passenger door,(he had jumped out of the little door on the right of the cockpit) with shiveled uniform and tusseled hair. When the new stewardess opened the door, she almost fainted as they had instructed her to make sure everybody was on board, she thaught that he had hung at the door since leaving Frankfurt.
|
| Wouter Hobe, e-mail, 25.09.2009 03:45 On arrival of the plane from the Far east at Schiphol airport I suddenly saw the flight engeneer running around the front to the passenger door,(he had jumped out of the little door on the right of the cockpit) with shiveled uniform and tusseled hair. When the new stewardess opened the door, she almost fainted as they had instructed her to make sure everybody was on board, she thaught that he had hung at the door since leaving Frankfurt.
|
| Nelson A. Perez, e-mail, 25.03.2009 13:54 I was a child when I had my first airplane ride on June 17, 1958. Cubana airlines flew the constelation from Havana to NY. I believe it took around 7 hrs. I have since flown almost every commercial airliner, but that ride will always be with me, great plane.
|
| Gérard Juéry, e-mail, 03.01.2009 18:42 Bonjour,
I am searching the plans (draft)of the Lockeed Constellation (first model) in order to make a static scale model. I find this plane magnificient !
Please help me to find the plans.
Gérard (from Biarritz, France)
|
| Tony Lopez, e-mail, 12.10.2008 10:50 I FLEW ON CHARTER FLYING TIGER SUPER CONNIE RETURNING FROM KOREA 1957
|
| Chuck Holzer, e-mail, 30.07.2008 06:22 My first ever plane ride was on a TWA Connie from Amarillo, TX to Albuquerque, NM on 5 Dec, 1961. Beautiful, both inside and out. Many years later, I was talking to a friend at the local airport, when he mentioned he was a retired TWA Captain, and was hired as a Connie FE. He used to fly that route, checked his log books, and was actually the FE on that flight. His name was Roy Geisert. Small world indeed.
|
| Jim Wright, e-mail, 28.07.2008 19:33 I had the privilege of flying as engineer, co-pilot and captain on the 1049 and 1649 Connies. Of all of the airplanes I have flown, the Connie is the finest. A grand and very capable airplane. Those four Wright 3350's were like a choir to my ears. I have many fond memories of 16C and 83H which were my favorites.
|
| justin farrell, e-mail, 09.09.2007 21:34 Did yo know the constelation is one of
the most sucessfull airliners ever build?
And i think it is one of the most magnificant!
|
