Lockheed Constellations at Liverpool

[viscount]

During last November, on the former xsorbit nwan forum site George Jones posted a photograph of a Capitol Airways L-749 Constellation at Liverpool taken 50 years before. This set me off investigating Constellations at Liverpool and working with Phil Butler eventually put together a major article for FoLA's '09/27' magazine, well illustrated by editor Graham Ward's contacts. For anyone with memories of the Sixties at Speke it is well worth getting hold of a copy - or better still take out a membership!!

I have Graham's permission to share the information here with NWAN forum members. Apologies to '09/27' subscribers who already have a fuller paper version, but I feel this information deserves to be available alongside the DC-6, DC-7 and VC-10 on this section of NWAN forum.

[viscount]

The Lockheed Constellation was produced in a variety of versions by Lockheed at their Burbank, California facility between 1943 and 1958.

Without a doubt one of the most iconic and destinctive airliners ever built with its gracefully curved dolphin shaped fuselage, triple fins and four powerful piston engines. The 'Connie' helped usher in pressurised, comforable and affordable air travel for the wealthier passengers in the Fifties and the for the adventurous general public in the Sixties.

Produced in two main models (although there were lots of detail versions). The L-049 (C-69 in USAAF military terms) and L-749 carried 46-60 passengers depending on class layout were the initial versions. An 18ft fuselage stretch produced the L-1049 Super Constellation to carry 71-95 passengers in a multi-class layout, or 109 in economy throughout, which was the most successful version. A complete redesign refined the L-1049 and produced the L-1649 Starliner, although relatively few were built as competition from the new jet-liners in the late 'Fifties made piston-engined airliners obsolete.

We need to go back over 60 years to relate the first visit of a 'Connie' to Liverpool Airport.

1948

The first visit to Liverpool by an L-749A Constellation was on a Grand National Day charter, presumably from Dublin, operated by Aerlinte Eireann (the trans-Atlantic divison of Aer Lingus). EI-ADE operated the flight on 20th March 1948. At a time when the Dakota was the largest aircraft to be seen at Liverpool and schedules typically operated by Dragon Rapides, the excitement and civic pride generated by a Constellation at Liverpool could be compared to the arrival of the Caravelle, Boeing 747 and Concorde in later decades. The 1948 Grand National Day charters also brought two other brand new types, the Bristol 170 Freighter and the Vickers Viking to Speke.

1958

Such was the slow pace of change in aviation during the 'Fifties that it would be ten years before a Constellation graced the tarmac at Speke again.

On Friday 28th November a Capitol Airlines Lockheed L-749A on a US military charter inbound to RAF Burtonwood via Shannon, diverted to Liverpool due to fog at its intended destination. The aircraft N4902C which had not long before been acquired from BOAC, by sheer coincidence is now known to be the former EI-ADE! The fog over England persisted, so the following day another Capitol Constellation diverted from Burtonwood into Liverpool. N4901C arrived from Dublin (possibly having initially diverted there the day before). Both aircraft loaded with US military personal or dependents left Liverpool for a fuel stop at Shannon en route back home.

1961

Starways, Liverpool's own airline with Dakotas and Skymasters operated a number of scheduled and inclusive tour charter flights. Presumably as a result of a shortage of Skymaster aircraft, during September they leased-in a Constellation as a substitute for one return flight. On 29th September L-049 OE-IFA of Aero Transport (but operated in the UK by associate company Falcon Airways) arrived on a positioning flight from Gatwick to operate a Lourdes flight outbound to Tarbes. The following day it returned from Lourdes and positioned back to Gatwick. Reference to British Independent Airlines book reveals that the two Constellation operators were owned by Marion Kozubski, a character who was being closely watched by the Airworthiness authorities for cutting corners, indeed Falcon Airways had already been grounded by the British at the time of this visit by Aero Transport!

1962

On 1st January 1961 contol of Liverpool Airport passed back from the Ministry of Aviation to Liverpool Corporation. The new management set about building civic pride (through a series of Air Displays) and bringing new operators and service to the Airport. One of their successes was in bringing fledgling charter carrier Euravia to Liverpool. For the 1962 summer season Euravia operated a series of Inclusive Tour charters for Universal Sky Tours to Valencia in Spain. Euravia operated their Constellations in a one class 83 seat configuration. Although not the first, the airline very much pioneered mass access low cost holidays to the Mediterranean for British tourists.

G-ARXE operated the inaugural flight on Sunday morning 20th May, and subsequently also operated on 3rd June, 1st July, 12th August and 9th September. G-ARVP was used on 17th June, 115th July, 29th July, 28th August and the final rotation on 23rd September. Their third aircraft G-AHEN did not appear at Liverpool during the season.

Another 1962 Constellation visit was an L-749A G-ANUP owned by Skyways of London on 14th July which arrived from Heathrow and departed to Gutersloh - a major British military base in West Germany, so was presumably on a trooping flight.

1963

The success of the 1962 season encouraged a longer season of flights, but still at a fortnightly frequency to Valencia for 1963. Euravia had expanded greatly during winter 1962/1963 by taking-over Skyways, so expanding their fleet to eight Constellations. The enlarged operation used the Euravia name, with the Skyways aircraft adopting the Euravia scheme, although to confuse, initially one Euravia aircraft apeared in Skyways scheme!

G-ARXE, now in full Skyways colours, started the season on 12th May. On 25th May both G-ARVP and G-ARXE appeared, so there was either an aircraft swop or a technical problem. Which aircraft operated when has partly been lost, however we do know that G-AHEL was first used into Speke on 21st July, G-AMUP on 4th August and G-AHEN on 1st September. During the season five of the eight aircraft in the Euravia fleet called at Liverpool.

1964

The Euravia/Universal Sky Tours programme expanding greatly to serve Valencia, Palma and Perpignan. The record is confusing as to weekly, fortnightly or ten/eleven day freqencies. First operation of the year brought G-ARVP in from Luton on 13th April to operate the inaugural Palma flight. All eight of the Euravia fleet visited, the first use of each aircraft during the year into Liverpool has been recorded: G-ARXE 25th April, G-AHEN 4th May, G-ANUR 25th May, G-AHEL 21st June, G-ALAK 27th June, G-ALAL 27th June and G-AMUP 11th October.

The last flight of the season, and therefore the last apperance of Euravia at Liverpool used G-AHEN on 20th October, which arrived via Luton, then departed back there having dropped off the final passengers.

One appearance of a Constellation at Liverpool which was not part of the Liverpool programme featured G-ALAK which diverted into Liverpool due to weather at Manchester on 25th June while inbound from Rimini.

During winter 1964/1965 Euravia started to acquire a fleet of former BOAC Britannia 102 aircraft. Euravia became Britannia Airways and at around the same time Universal Sky Tours became Thomsons. As an aside to this account of Constellation visits, during the winter 1964/1965 the tour operator, airline and Liverpool Airport were in detail discussions as to a base for their expanding operation. As Liverpool could not offer hangarage (No.1 hangar was already promised to British Eagle), Luton became the maintenance and operational base for Britannia Airways - how differently our Airport story might have been had Britannia established their base here!! Indeed both airline and tour operator transferred across to Manchester for the 1965 season on the breakdown of talks with Liverpool.

No Constellations operated into Liverpool Airport during 1965.

1966

Although the significance was not realised at the time, July 1966 marked both the final appearance by a L-749 Constellation and the first by a L-1049 Super Constellation.

Several of the former Euravia aircraft were now operated by Gatwick and Coventry based ACE Freighters. 1966 was a year of industrial disputes, including a succession of dock and ferry strikes. As a result freight normally taken by ferry across the Irish Sea to Dublin, Douglas and Belfast needed to be carried by air. The Airport and the Constellations of ACE Freighters were well placed to keep an Irish Sea lifeline open.

Between 14th and 20th June G-ALAL, which was fitted with a large cargo door operated a number of flights to & from Dublin with mail and freight. For the record the aircraft operated:
14/6 f Dublin with Mail, night stopped.
15/6 t&f and to Dublin
16/6 from Dusseldorf, t&f, t&f and to Dublin
17/6 f&t, f&t, f&t Dublin
18/6 f&t, f&t Dublin
20/6 f&t Dublin

This was followed between 28th June and 8th July with some 21 flights between Liverpool and Belast. These flights again mostly utilised the freight door equipped G-ALAL, however on 28th June two flights on behalf of Gallaghers transporting cigarettes used G-ALAK. It was on an arrival from Belfast on 2nd July that G-ALAL's cargo shifted. While there was forward motion airflow kept the nose down, however as soon as the aircraft stopped on the main apron, the tail gently settled on the ground, leaving the nose wheel high off the ground. The cargo was adjusted, the nose settled down, the aircraft unloaded, inspected and departed the next morning for Gatwick, only to appear back from Belfast later in the day.

For the record activity day by day:
28/6 G-ALAK f&t Aldergrove, then from Aldergrove and to Coventry. Also G-ALAL from Coventry to night stop.
29/6 t&f, t&f and to Belfast Aldergrove
30/6 f&t, f&t, f&t and from Aldergrove to night stop. Busiest day at Liverpool for Connie movements with 4 landings & 3 departures.
1/7 t&f, t&f and t&f Aldergrove to night stop
2/7 t&f and t&f Aldergrove, tip-up incident, night stopped
3/7 to Gatwick, then reappeared f&t and from Aldergrove, night stopped
4/7 to Gatwick
5/7 from Moscow/Sheremetievo, then night stopped
6/7 t&f, t&f and to Aldergrove
7/7 f&t, f&t, f&t Aldergrove
8/7 f&t, f&t and from Aldergrove, onwards to Gatwick

In May 1966 the new, much longer, runway at Liverpool had been opened. As a result types that were restricted by their performance could now use Liverpool routinely. One of the first new types to appear was the L-1049G Super Constellation. In July 1966 England were hosts for the World Cup. A number of games were hosted by the City of Liverpool at Goodison. While the number of aircraft bringing in teams and supporters was disappointing, the aviation stars were three visits by Air Fance Super Constellations. All operated from & to Paris/Orly, with F-BHBI used twice on 12th July and 19th July and F-BHMI on 15th July.

At the end of the month, on 23rd July ACE's G-ALAL called again, inbound from Dublin, then onward to Gatwick. Despite all this extra business during the summer strikes, ACE went into liquidation in September and was the very last British operator of the Constellation. Without ACE there were no further visits of the L-749, or indeed of any Constellation for several years.

1970

During 1970 there was a record number of freight flights on behalf of Fords. So many flights that a great number had to be contracted to non-British airlines. One European operator to benefit was French freight airline Catair, the reason of revelance here is that Catair operated Super Constellations. Some 13 flights with inbound freight from Saarbrucken operated, F-BRNH on 11th March, 9th April, 6th May, 6th & 7th July, 10th ,16th & 17th September, 2nd, 5th and 7th October, with F-BGNG on 25th March and twice on 21st July. Majority of outbounds routed back to Saarbrucken or to either Paris Orly or Paris Le Bourget.

Although not recognised as such at the time, the visit by Catair's F-BRNH on 7th October can now be recorded as the last ever visit by a Constellation to Liverpool Airport.

1998

Worldwide the Constellation and Super Constellation became rare anywhere through the 'Seventies and by the 'Nineties the few remaining airworthy aircraft were operated by preservation groups. It is one of these aircraft that became the last sighting of a Constellation in Liverpool airspace - although included in this story it does not really count as the aircraft did not land. N494TW a C-121A (L-749A) in USAF MATS military colours as 8609 (its own military serial) performed a single low go-around/flypast along the length of 09 at Liverpool while en route from the USA via Prestwick to the RAFA Air Display at Woodford in early June.

Future

With 3 Constellations in/destined for Europe in flying condition 2009, a L-749 KLM marks Netherlands, L-1049 in Switzerland and an L-1649 with Lufthansa in Germany, a future visit by a Connie to Liverpool is not impossible, although probably unlikely. Time will tell............

My thanks to Phil Butler and George Jones for their help and also to MSAE 'Flypast' magazines which have recorded Liverpool Airport visiting aircraft movements continuously since the late 'Fifties.

[viscount]

Capital Airways Constellation N4901C was the second of two that diverted in, away from fog at Burtonwood in 1958.



Skyways of London titled aircraft 1962/1963.



A Euravia airlines Constellation 1962/1963 on Inclusive Tour flights.





Two shots of Euravia's G-AHEN at Liverpool, the upper one dated 1st September 1963, the lower one as either 1963 or 1964.



Ace Freighters Constellation in 1966





Two further 1966 shots, this time in colour featuring G-ALAL of ACE Freighters unloading freight during the Docker's strike.



Mention of the dock strike permits me the opportunity to re-use a well known image, the tail-tip incident, G-ALAL on 2nd July 1966.



Air France Super Constellation F-BHMI in July 1966 during the Football World Cup



F-BRNH of Catair in 1970 with freight.



Another visit of F-BRNH during 1970.

Having now completed posting an authorative account of Constellation movements, as I have done for the other types I've researched and published on this forum, an index of the aircraft and operators involved.

Constellation/Super Constellation aircraft to land at Liverpool:
EI-ADE
F-BGNG, F-BHBI, F-BHMI, F-BRNH
G-AHEL, G-AHEN, G-ALAK, G-ALAL, G-AMUP, G-ANUP, G-ANUR, G-ARVP & G-ARXE
N4901C, N4902C
OE-IFA

Of these EI-ADE and N4902C are the same airframe, so 17 registrations on 16 different airframes.

Operated by:
ACE Freighters, Aerlinte Eireann, Aero Transport, Air France, Catair, Capitol Airlines, Euravia, Skyways of London

While Constellation movements through Liverpool were limited, watching the aircraft left a great impression on those around at the time. The Constellation was an iconic aircraft and one that played a big part in making air travel and foreign holidays available to all, while in the process establishing two giants of the travel trade, Britannia Airways and Thomson Holidays.

[viscount]

All the Constellations built led interesting lives. Many started life with flag carriers before a series of charter operators, with no small number ending their days in obscure parts of the world on operations that were far from legal.

Using Roach & Eastwood's TAHS 'Piston Engined Airliner Production Lists', 2007 as a source of information a summary of the story and fate of each of the aircraft seen at Liverpool. I'll leave out some dates and short leases, while outlining the period that brought the aircraft to Liverpool in darker print. As many Constellations were modified during service and consequently changed designation, I'll only give the mark at the time the aircraft operated into Liverpool. In build order:

C/no. 1965 (5th Constellation built). Lockheed L-149 Constellation. Visited Liverpool 1962, 1963 & 1964.
Built for USAAF as a C-69 43-10313 delivered 1.45 N90827 Service Airways, RX-123 Lineas Aereas de Panama, N90827 Service Airways, 4X-AKA El Al, HB-IEA ntu, G-ARXE Euravia Ltd 2.62. wfu Luton 5.65 and broken up there 1965.

C/no. 1967 Lockheed L-049D Constellation. Visited 1962, 1963 & 1964.
Built for USAAF as a C-69 43-10315 del 2.45. N90828 Intercontinent Airways, RX-124 Lineas Aereas de Panama, N67930 The Jewish Agency, 4X-AKB El Al, HB-IEB ntu, G-ARVP Euravia Ltd 2.62. wfu Luton 4.65, broken up 5.65.

C/no. 1969 Lockheed L-049 Constellation. Visited Liverpool 1961.
Built for USAAF as C-69 43-10317 del 4.45. N67901 Hughes Tool Company, N90830 Transcontinental & Western Air, Trans World Airlines. OE-IFA Aero transport 6.61, lsd to Falcon Airways 8.61 for a few months. Seized by Austrian authorities 10.63, wfu and stored Vienna Schwechat until broken up 6.66.

C/no. 1977 Lockheed L-049E Constellation. Visited 1963 & 1964.
Built for USAF as C-69 42-94556, but not delivered. N90604 Lockheeds 5.46. G-AHEL B.O.A.C., N2736A Capital Airlines, G-AHEL Falcon Airways/Trans European Airways, Euravia 5.63 5Y-ABF Britair East Africa 11.64. wfu & stored Shannon 5.66, broken up during 1968.

C/no. 1980 Lockheed L-049E Constellation. Visited 1963 & 1964.
Built for USAF as C-69 42-94559, but not delivered. N90606 Lockheeds 5.46. G-AHEN B.O.A.C.,damaged overshooting Filton 8.1.51 and repaired using parts from c/no.1966. N74192 Los Angeles Air Service, Californian Hawaiian, 4X-AKD El Al, HB-IED ntu, G-AHEN Euravia 2.62. wfu Luton 4.65, broken up 5.65.

C/no.2051 Lockheed L-049E Constellation. Visited 1963 & 1964.
Built for American Overseas Airlines as N90921 and del 4.46, Pan American Airways, G-AMUP B.O.A.C., N2738A Capital Airlines, G-ARHJ Falcon Airways, G-AMUP Falcon Airways, Trans European Airways. Euravia 5.63 wfu Luton 8.65 and broken up 10.65

C/no. 2548 Lockheed L-749A Constellation. Visited 1964 & 1966.
Built for Transcontinental & Western Air but not delivered. EI-ACR Aerlinte Eireann del 8.47, G-ALAK B.O.A.C., Skyways of London Euravia 9.62, ACE Freighter 8.65 wfu Coventry 9.66, N1489 ntu, CX-BHD Aerolineas Uruguayas ntu, CP-797 Trans Bolivian, OB-R-899 COPISA. wfu & broken up Miami, Florida 1971.

C/no. 2549 Lockheed L-749A Constellation. Visited 1964 & 1966.
Built for Transcontinental & Western Air but not delivered. EI-ACS Aerlinte Eireann del 8.47, G-ALAL B.O.A.C., Skyways of London Euravia 9.62, ACE Freighters 2.65 wfu Coventry 9.66, OB-R-899 COPISA but ntu, wfu & stored Miami, Florida 1968, after a succession of private owners, broken up 1974.

C/no. 2562 Lockheed L-749A Constellation. Visited 1962.
Built for Qantas as VH-EAA and del 10.47. G-ANUP B.O.A.C. Skyways of London 9.59, OE-IFO Aero Transport, LX-IOK Interocean. Damaged beyond repair, Addis Ababa, Eithiopia 2.10.64.

C/no. 2565 Lockheed L-749A Constellation, visited Liverpool 1964
Built for Qantas as VH-EAB and del 10.47. G-ANUR B.O.A.C., Skyways, Euravia 9.62 lsd to ACE Freighters 7.65-9.66, N1949 various US owners, CX-BHC Aerolineas Uruguayas 1.68. wfu & bu Montevideo, Uruguay 1970.

C/no. 2566 Lockheed L-749A Constellation, visited Liverpool 1948 & 1958.
Built for Air France, ntu. EI-ADE Aerlinte Eireann del 10.47, G-ALAO B.O.A.C., N4902C Capitol Airways 9.58, various leases, California Airmotive Corporation, OB-R-802 COPISA, wfu & stored Lima, Peru and bu 79-80.

C/no. 2601 Lockheed C-121A Constellation (L-749A) Go-around and fly-by over Liverpool Airport 1998.
Built for USAF as 48-0609 and del 12.48, wfu 3.68 at Davis Monthan AFB. N9464 Christler Flying Services 7.70, C-GXKO Beaver Air Spray, Conifair Aviation, N494TW John Travolta/Star of Santa Barbara Inc. 31.8.84, Vern Baburn 7.87, restored to airworthy & reflew 10.91, first airshow Oshkosh .92, in USAF MATS colours as 8609. European tour 1998. 5.00 valued at $1.2M. United Technologies (Pratt & Whitney Division) 2.05, donated to Korean Air. Ferry flight Marana to South Korea 1 -18.4.05 Painted as HL4003, preserved by Korean Airlines, Jeju Island, Korea. Now permanently withdrawn from flying.
See www.conniesurvivors.com/N494TW.htm for more

C/no. 2671 Lockheed L-749A Constellation, visited Liverpool 1958.
Built for Hughes Tool Company N6025C del 6.51, Trans World Airlines ntu, G-ANNT B.O.A.C., N4901C Capitol Airways 3.58, after several leases, re-registered N6695C in 1968 still with Capitol. Donated to Aeronautical Historical Association 3,70, wfu and displayed at Bradley Air Museum, Connecticut. Destroyed by a tornado 3.10.79.

C/no. 4513 Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellation. Visited 1970.
Built for Air France as F-BGND del 9.53 wfu & stored 9.65-1.70. F-BRNH Catair 1.70. wfu and used as a gate guard Pontoise-Cormeilles, France 3.72, later broken-up.

C/no. 4516 Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellation. Visited 1970.
Built for Air France as F-BGNG del 10.53, Catair 6.68, Air Fret. wfu and used for spares Nimes-Garons, France 7.76, broken up 79.

C/no. 4634 Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellation. Visited 1966.
Built for Air France as F-BHBI del 2.56, Air Fret, Phoenix Air Transport, Biafran Government 6.69. wfu & stored Arrecife, Canary Islands 1.70, destroyed by fire .84.

C/no. 4668 Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellation. Visited 1966.
Built for Air France as F-BHMI del 12.56, Catair 7.68. wfu & stored Cormeilles-Pontoise, France 11.71, later to gate guard .72, broken up .75.

[springy]

One of my all-time favourite airliners. Here's a snap of F-BHBI on 12th July 1966, the 1st visit of a Super Connie to Speke. Fortunately there are nice professional colour photos of the same aircraft appearing in 09/27 Issue 109 and in the excellent "Airliners of the 1960s" and "Vintage Glory" books


Ken

[Deleted]

Jun 12, 2009 1:02:43 GMT 1 springy said:

One of my all-time favourite airliners. Here's a snap of F-BHBI on 12th July 1966, the 1st visit of a Super Connie to Speke. Fortunately there are nice professional colour photos of the same aircraft appearing in 09/27 Issue 109 and in the excellent "Airliners of the 1960s" and "Vintage Glory" books
Ken

Would this be one of them Ken?

www.airliners.net/photo/Air-France/Lockheed-L-1049G-Super/0215394/L/&sid=e8a5aa441b58b77568afd664d60e230d

[springy]

Hi ste-t,
Yes it is thanks, but my favourite is the lovely one in "Vintage Glory" with the Balcony in the background, because I was up there on the day!
I remember at the time the Connie was regarded as something akin to a classic car, still a head-turner but belonging to a bygone era. This was particularly evident at Heathrow, where I once watched a "Super G" Connie of Lufthansa sedately taxying out from the Oceanic Building, past all the noisy new-kids-on-the-block such as the Super VC10s and Rolls-Royce 707s of BOAC. Guess where all eyes up on the Roof Gardens were looking!

Ken

[viscount]

Having completed replacing and adding images into this old thread, I am going to give it a 'bump-up' by adding this fresh post featuring the final Constellation to appear over Liverpool Airport, even though just as a go-around along runway 09 en route into Woodford for an air display in June 1998, which was already 28 years after final handling of a Constellation aircraft on the ground.







Trust you find the 'new' images added to this thread of interest. Since first posted in June 2009, with a few more images added in June 2013, this thread has amassed a very grand total of 5,070 visits. For several years some of the images have been partly obscured by Photobucket's watermark. Now revitalised and with the addition of more images in April 2023, I know the visits and revisits will keep on coming.

[ronturner]

Here are two pictures of Air France F-BHBI 19th July 1966

F-BHBI L1049 Air France Speke 19-7-66 by Ron Turner, on Flickr

F-BHBI L1049G Air france Speke 19-7-66 by Ron Turner, on Flickr

[planemike]

"""""The final Constellation to appear over Liverpool Airport, even though just as a go-around along runway 09 en route into Woodford for an air display in June 1998, which was already 28 years after final handling of a Constellation aircraft on the ground. """"

The weekend following the Woodford show, N494TW appeared at Cranfield as a visitor to the PFA Rally. It was probably the largest aircraft to ever visit a PFA Rally. The aircraft was open for inspection that w/e. By coincidence I was at Old Warden on the Thursday before the PFA rally and recall seeing N494TW overfly on its way to Cranfield. Wonderful sight (and sound)....!!