Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation

The piston airliner that defined long-range travel before the jet age.

Overview

Lockheed Martin United States ICAO: L1049 1951–1958 $1.2 million (1951)

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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Iberia Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellation

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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.