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Lockheed Constellation

2,829 Nygonatta  2 months ago

The Lockheed Constellation ("Connie") is a propeller-driven, four-engined airliner built by Lockheed Corporation starting in 1943. The Constellation series was the first civil airliner family to enter widespread use equipped with a pressurized cabin, enabling it to fly well above most bad weather, thus significantly improving the general safety and ease of commercial passenger air travel.[1]

Several different models of the Constellation series were produced, although they all featured the distinctive triple-tail and dolphin-shaped fuselage. Most were powered by four 18-cylinder Wright R-3350 Duplex-Cyclones. In total, 856 were produced between 1943 and 1958 at Lockheed's plant in Burbank, California, and used as both a civil airliner and as a military and civilian cargo transport. Among their famous uses was during the Berlin and the Biafran airlifts. Three served as the presidential aircraft for Dwight D. Eisenhower, one of which is featured at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

General Characteristics

  • Created On Mac
  • Wingspan 64.8ft (19.8m)
  • Length 63.2ft (19.3m)
  • Height 15.9ft (4.8m)
  • Empty Weight 14,594lbs (6,619kg)
  • Loaded Weight 17,535lbs (7,953kg)

Performance

  • Horse Power/Weight Ratio 0.365
  • Wing Loading 42.5lbs/ft2 (207.4kg/m2)
  • Wing Area 412.7ft2 (38.3m2)
  • Drag Points 7925

Parts

  • Number of Parts 58
  • Control Surfaces 7
  • Performance Cost 425