Lockheed L-749 Constellation

Four-engine airliner of Lockheed introduced in 1947

Overview

Lockheed Martin United States ICAO: L749 1947–1951 $1 million (1947)

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.

Live Fleet Activity (L749)

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Specifications

Units
Engine
4 × Wright R-3350-749C18BD-1 Duplex-Cyclone
Engine type
Piston
Power
4 × 2,500 hp · 1,864 kW
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
89
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
97 ft 4 in  ·  29.67 m
Tail height
22 ft 5 in  ·  6.83 m
Fuselage diameter
11 ft 2 in  ·  3.40 m
Wing span
121 ft 5 in  ·  37.00 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
107,000 lb  ·  48,500 kg
Max landing weight
—
Max payload
20,300 lb  ·  9,200 kg
Fuel capacity
6,250 gal · 23,600 L · 17,000 kg (AvGas)
Max cruise speed
300 kt  ·  345 mph  ·  556 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
—
Range
4,341 nm  ·  5,000 mi  ·  8,040 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
24,100 ft  ·  7,300 m
Rate of climb
1,140 ft/min  ·  6 m/s
Takeoff distance
4,600 ft  ·  1,400 m
Landing distance
3,550 ft  ·  1,080 m
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The Constellation Group – Lockheed L-749 Constellation

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Operational Context

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.