“Connie” an American beauty

There is no denying that Lockheed’s Constellation was and still is a real beauty. Gracefulness bordering on elegance with those long legs and curves that almost make her a 40/50’s pin-up.

She was also innovative as well with a pressurized passenger cabin and a good turn of speed that was up there with many of the world’s front line fighters of the period when she was first flown in 1943. She also sported hydraulic assisted controls and a de-icing system on the wings and tail leading edges.

Her wing design is based on that of the P38 Lightening only scaled up. Her three fin tail design kept the overall height down so as she would fit into the conventional hangers of the day. There is a lot more info worth digging into if you are into it from the involvement of Howard Hughs, through to the use of compound Turbo engines in later models.

“Connie” an American beauty.