Lockheed Constellations-flying examples in USA
Wed Feb 04, 2009 5:20 pm
Anyone know for sure which, if any Connies are flyable in the US right now? I'm helping the local ANG unit get some vintage heavy iron for their mid-May Armed Forces Day Open House and their project officer really wants to get a Connie. For that matter, he'd like to get some WWII bombers as well so I emailed him contact info for YAM, Collings, Ole 927, and CAF in Minneapolis. I know the MATS Connie went to S. Korea. I checked the Connie website and it mentioned a few that were being worked on so they'd be ready for this year's air show season but couldn't find anything definitive. Thanx WIX brain. 
Wed Feb 04, 2009 5:23 pm
As far as I know, the only currently active Connie in the USA is the one operated by Save-A-Connie...
http://www.airlinehistorymuseum.com/connie.htm
The rest are overseas, or down. Not even sure about the save-a-connie bird either... Sad state of affairs.
Richard
http://www.airlinehistorymuseum.com/connie.htm
The rest are overseas, or down. Not even sure about the save-a-connie bird either... Sad state of affairs.
Richard
Wed Feb 04, 2009 5:42 pm
Ralph Peterson has all that info here www.conniesurvivors.com/1-airworthy.htm
Wed Feb 04, 2009 5:49 pm
One of my favorite planes. I wish more were around...
Wed Feb 04, 2009 7:23 pm
Paul,
The short answer is, there are none.
The Kansas City one blew an engine a couple of years back on run-up, and the last I heard the group operating it was in the process of imploding due to internal politics.
With the ex-MATS one now gounded in a Korean Museum, and the only other active ones being in Switzerland and Australia, plus the potentally airworthy Dutch one (which flew across the Atlantic in 2002, and has only made a single ferry flight since then, IIRC), that's it!
Still, if we're lucky, we may get to see the Lufthansa one fly for a while in the US after restoration before it departs for Germany.
The short answer is, there are none.
The Kansas City one blew an engine a couple of years back on run-up, and the last I heard the group operating it was in the process of imploding due to internal politics.
With the ex-MATS one now gounded in a Korean Museum, and the only other active ones being in Switzerland and Australia, plus the potentally airworthy Dutch one (which flew across the Atlantic in 2002, and has only made a single ferry flight since then, IIRC), that's it!
Still, if we're lucky, we may get to see the Lufthansa one fly for a while in the US after restoration before it departs for Germany.
Wed Feb 04, 2009 7:35 pm
Thanks for the info! Too bad about the MATS Connie. I saw it in I think 2004 at the National Stearman Fly-In held at Galesburg IL. Awesome!
Wed Feb 04, 2009 7:53 pm
Mike wrote:Paul,
The short answer is, there are none.
The Kansas City one blew an engine a couple of years back on run-up, and the last I heard the group operating it was in the process of imploding due to internal politics.
It's scheduled to be at the Branson Airshow in May.
http://bransonairshow.com/p-display.asp
Wed Feb 04, 2009 8:51 pm
Last time I was over at Fantasy of Flight, the Connie there was NOT a flyer. She flew in there a few years ago, but IIRC there were problems and I don't think that has changed. 
I would love to see one of those beasties fly! My dad flew in one coming back from Korea/Japan back in the day.
I would love to see one of those beasties fly! My dad flew in one coming back from Korea/Japan back in the day.
AHM's Connie
Wed Feb 04, 2009 8:54 pm
She is not ready yet but the new engine is on and the inspections have started. Had to pull the props on #1 ,3,4 for AD req. inspection. The politics seem to be improoving also.
Re: AHM's Connie
Wed Feb 04, 2009 9:03 pm
Fairfax Ghost wrote:She is not ready yet but the new engine is on and the inspections have started. Had to pull the props on #1 ,3,4 for AD req. inspection. The politics seem to be improoving also.
Thats the best news I have heard all year!
Can't wait for her to fly!
Thu Feb 05, 2009 12:37 am
Lufthansa is restoring one of Maurice Roundy's Starliners at Lewiston, ME. Not sure when it will be done, or if it will fly in the U.S. before going to Germany. The Ultimate Connie!
Rich
Rich
Thu Feb 05, 2009 12:20 pm
richkolasa wrote:Lufthansa is restoring one of Maurice Roundy's Starliners at Lewiston, ME. Not sure when it will be done, or if it will fly in the U.S. before going to Germany. The Ultimate Connie!
Rich
Rich,
We know one thing for sure, it has to fly in the U.S. around Maine for a few test hops before departing for Germany and it will be flying at least briefly over the U.S. when it does depart for Germany......but hopefully it may make a few flights here (like to Oshkosh, etc.) before heading back over the Atlantic. Whatever it does I hope to see it in the air in 2011 (current target date).
Re: AHM's Connie
Thu Feb 05, 2009 12:38 pm
Fairfax Ghost wrote:She is not ready yet but the new engine is on and the inspections have started. Had to pull the props on #1 ,3,4 for AD req. inspection. The politics seem to be improoving also.
More pictures please...those are great (neat hangar to)!
Here are a few more pics from AMH
Thu Feb 05, 2009 10:06 pm
Here are a few more shots from the AHM Hanger I will try to get more pic this week end and put them over in vitage section. thay are not warbirds but this is all the big iron we have in KC these days .
Thu Feb 05, 2009 10:25 pm
Love seeing the Connie with the oil drips under each engine. Proves there is still life in her.