early warning
$2,031,000
seventeen
Wright R3350
4 x 3,400 hp ea.
116' 2"
126' 2"
69,200 lbs.
145,000 lbs.
240 mph
295 mph
950 fpm
25,000 feet
4,250 miles
1953
The Lockheed Super Constellation is a larger version of their
Constellation aircraft with a longer fuselage and wings. On June 1, 1946 a Pan Am Constellation made the first scheduled flight from the U.S. to England.
The Constellation has a wing design based on the company's fighter aircraft, the P-38. The
three tails were incorporated into its design instead of a single tall tail in order to make the aircraft easier to fit into hangars.
The U.S.A.F. awarded a contract to build the Lockheed Super Constellation EC-121
Warning Star aircraft pictured above in 1951. In 1953 the aircraft were first deployed
with the Air Defense Command. They patrolled the coastal areas of the United States in
conjunction with the DEW (Distance Early Warning) Line.
The Lockheed Super Constellation EC-121 Warning Star is basically a Lockheed Super
Constellation airliner modified for early warning duties. The domes above and beneath
the fuselage house a total of 12,000 lbs. of electronics.
During the Vietnam War Lockheed Super Constellation EC-121 aircraft guided aircraft to downed pilots, directed aircraft to refueling planes, and guided U.S. interceptor aircraft.
On Oct. 24, 1967, while patrolling above the Tonkin Gulf, a Lockheed Super Constellation EC-121 serial number 53-555, "Triple Nickel" directed an American F-4 Phantom by radar to intercept a MiG-21. This was a first victory ever of one aircraft over another made possible with the guidance of a flying, radar equipped airplane. The "Triple Nickel" Lockheed Super Constellation was retired to the USAF Museum, Dayton, Ohio in 1971.
Flying the Lockheed Super Constellation is a combination of old and new.
The Super Constellation is a large aircraft, even by today's
standards. However it is not a difficult aircraft to taxi.
About the most difficult issue with ground handling of the Lockheed Super
Constellation is getting the aircraft in position on its under
carriage for flight, known as "on step". The landing gear
of the Lockheed Super Constellation is designed to make ground
handling smoother. During engine run-up, without careful throttle
and braking management, the aircraft could jerk forward or backward.
When the aircraft is ready for take off and positioned at the end of the
runway, flaps are set to take off position and engines are run to
2,700 rpm at 40" pressure. After the brakes are released, rotation speed is reached
surprisingly fast for a large propeller driven aircraft.
Once off the runway, the flaps and landing gear of the Lockheed Super
Constellation can be retracted. At a safe speed of around 175 mph
one can get a feel for the handling of the large aircraft. It is
very much like flying other aircraft of its era. That is to say it
takes a firm hand to get it to respond to control inputs.
Once a safe altitude is reached, one can experiment with stalls. With a
light load aboard, the Lockheed Super Constellation can be slowed to
less than 100 mph before a straight ahead stall takes place. The
aircraft will even fly with two engines out on the same wing. For
all its mass and heavy controls, it is an easy aircraft to fly.
Landings are also easily accomplished. The Lockheed Super Constellation will
descend at a fairly fast rate at around 160 mph without gaining a
great deal of speed once its flaps are set for landing. Full flaps
are used to greatly slow the large aircraft once over the end of the
runway. This should be done at around 110 mph to maintain maximum control.
A total of 232 Lockheed Super Constellation EC-121 aircraft were manufactured. They were retired from duty in 1978.
Lockheed Super Constellation
Lockheed Super Constellation by RC International.
In the picture above is the nice looking Lockheed Super Constellation for sale by RC International. Wingspan is 73" and length is 46". It is propelled by four Speed 400 size motors.
The three pictures below are of the spectacular Lockheed Super Constellation built by Carl Bachhuber. The rc airplane has a 15 foot wingspan and a length of over 11 feet. Carl uses four Fuji BT-32 engines for power.
Carl tells us that take off distance for his Lockheed Super Constellation is in around 150 feet. It flies straight and true. The engines have good power for fast flying. Even in strong cross winds, it takes off and lands with little trouble.
If you know of Lockheed Super Constellation that should be included on this page, please email us about it.
Lockheed EC-121 Super Constellation
