Passenger Turbo Props
Lockheed L-749 Constellation
ICAO: L749
Overview
The Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation was an advanced piston-engine airliner introduced in the early 1950s. Building on the earlier Constellation design, it offered greater range and capacity. The aircraft became a mainstay of transcontinental and transatlantic travel.
Live Fleet Activity (L1049)
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Specifications
Units
- Engine
- 4 × Wright R-3350 972-TC-18DA-1 Duplex-Cyclone
- Engine type
- Piston
- Power
- 4 × 3,250 hp · 2,424 kW
- Avionics
- —
- Wing tips
- No winglets
- Seats
- 106
- Crew
- —
- Cabin width
- —
- Cabin height
- —
- Cabin length
- —
- Exterior length
- 113 ft 6 in · 34.60 m
- Tail height
- 24 ft 9 in · 7.54 m
- Fuselage diameter
- 12 ft 2 in · 3.70 m
- Wing span
- 123 ft 0 in · 37.50 m
- Baggage volume
- —
- Gross weight
- —
- Empty weight
- —
- Max takeoff weight
- 120,000 lb · 54,500 kg
- Max landing weight
- 101,500 lb · 46,000 kg
- Max payload
- 35,300 lb · 16,000 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 6,550 gal · 24,800 L · 17,900 kg (AvGas)
- Max cruise speed
- 294 kt · 338 mph · 544 km/h
- Maximum speed
- —
- Cruise speed
- —
- Approach speed
- 115 kt · 132 mph · 213 km/h
- Range
- 4,480 nm · 5,160 mi · 8,300 km
- Fuel burn
- —
- Ceiling
- 25,700 ft · 7,800 m
- Rate of climb
- 1,100 ft/min · 6 m/s
- Takeoff distance
- 4,600 ft · 1,400 m
- Landing distance
- 4,600 ft · 1,400 m
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Live fleet activity details
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Operational Context
Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation — long-range piston airliner
The Super Constellation first flew in 1951 and entered service shortly thereafter. It featured a distinctive triple-tail design and pressurized cabin. The aircraft was designed to operate long-distance routes before widespread jet adoption.
Powered by four Wright R-3350 radial piston engines producing approximately 3,400 horsepower each, the L-1049 cruised at around 300 knots (556 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight exceeded 150,000 pounds (68,039 kg). Passenger capacity typically ranged from 60 to 95 depending on configuration.
The Super Constellation served major airlines and military operators worldwide. It represented the peak of piston airliner development. The aircraft was gradually replaced by jetliners in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Sources and references used for research and fact-checking.