The Lockheed L-749 Constellation is designed and manufactured by Lockheed Corporation and is the first Constellation to routinely fly nonstop on transatlantic routes. It was developed from the L-649 but with more fuel capacity, stronger undercarriage, and equipped with weather radar. The L-749 Constellation was produced from 1947 to 1951 and was retired in 1993 with a total of 119 aircraft built.

Manufacturer:
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
Country:
United States
Manufactured:
1947 to: 1951
ICAO:
L749
Price:
US$1 million (1947)
Avionics:
Engine:
4x Wright R-3350-749C18BD-1 Duplex-Cyclone
Piston
Power:
2,500 horsepower
Max Cruise Speed:
300 knots
556 Km/h
Approach Speed (Vref):
Travel range:
4,341 Nautical Miles
8,040 Kilometers
Fuel Economy:
Service Ceiling:
24,100 feet
Rate of Climb:
1140 feet / minute
5.79metre / second
Take Off Distance:
1402 metre - 4,599.68 feet
Landing Distance:
1082 metre - 3,549.83 feet
Max Take Off Weight:
48,534 Kg
106,998 lbs
Max Landing Weight:
Max Payload:
9,195 Kg
20,271 lbs
Fuel Tank Capacity:
6,245 gallon
23,640 litre
Baggage Volume:
Seats - Economy / General:
89 seats
Seats - Business Class:
Seats - First Class:
Cabin Height:
Cabin Width:
Cabin Length:
Exterior Length:
29.67 metre - 97.34 feet
Tail height:
6.83 metre - 22.41 feet
Fuselage Diameter:
3.4 metre - 11.15 feet
Wing Span / Rotor Diameter:
37 metre - 121.39 feet
Wing Tips:
No Winglets

During early 1947, the L-749 Constellation was made public by the American aerospace company Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. It was developed from the L-649 and was built with fuel tanks for a longer range, as well as strengthened undercarriage. The aircraft also featured jet stacks which increased speed, thus, increasing noise and needed further insulation.

On March 14, 1947, the initial L-749 conducted its maiden flight. In the same month, the aircraft was granted its certification. On April 18, 1947, the first L-749 Constellation was sent to Air France. In June of the same year, Pan American World Airways obtained its first L-749.

The Lockheed L-749 Constellation could carry six to eight crew members including a pilot, copilot, radio operator, flight engineer, and two to four flight attendants. It could also accommodate sixty to eighty-one passengers on board. The aircraft has an external length of 29.67 meters, an external height of 5.7 meters, and a fuselage diameter of 3.4 meters. The tail height is 6.83 meters and the wheelbase is 8.2 meters. It has a wingspan of 37 meters and a wing area of 153 square meters.

The L-749 was fitted with four Wright R-3350-749C18BD-1 Duplex-Cyclone engines. It is a twin-row eighteen-cylinder radial engine with two pushrod valves each cylinder, a two-speed single-stage supercharger, a Chandler-Evans downdraft carburetor fuel system, dry sump oil system, and an air cooling system. The engine produces a maximum power of 2,500 hp each and drives a three-bladed constant-speed fully-feathering propeller.

The L-749 has an empty weight of 25,669 kg, a maximum takeoff weight of 48,534 kg, and a maximum payload of 9,195 kg. The maximum fuel capacity is 6,245 US gallons. The cruise speed is 300 knots. It has a 4,341 nautical mile range with maximum fuel and a 2,259 nautical mile range with maximum payload. It can fly up to 24,100 feet and can climb at a rate of 1,140 feet per minute. The takeoff distance is 1,402 meters while the landing distance is 1,082 meters.

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