1953 documentary video on the Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation

[Phil Bunch]

I really enjoyed this 1953 popular-level documentary on the Lockheed Super Constellation airliner.  It is presented by an equally ancient US TV show host and aviation enthusiast/pilot (Arthur Godfrey) -- he also reveals a lot about the US culture of the time (e.g., the popularity of cigarettes).  Eastern Airlines is also featured and provided the airliner and crew.

http://youtu.be/O1z6BDBakYQ

One of the more interesting things about the documentary is a tour of the cockpit and the instrumentation and navigation techniques.  The role of the Flight Engineer was interesting to see in action.  Not a computer or calculator to be seen.  The airliner was shown to fly on one engine (after feathering the other 3), and they also showed an in-flight 3-engine restart.  They also show an instrument landing and a ground radar-assisted landing. I was surprised they could land in bad weather without being able to see the runway, if I understood the presentation correctly.

Wikipedia has more about the history and basic technical details re the aircraft, including its 5150 mile range:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Constellation

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_L-1049_Super_Constellation

[Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers]

Nice coincidence.  I am currently gearing up to meet N277EA, one of the "new" Eastern Airlines' B737s that will do the Cuba run soon.  Great to have her under my hands for a SATCOM upgrade this weekend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neJ0bLy6xSQ


Hoppie

[Phil Bunch]

Thanks for the video link.  I thought the photography was very enjoyable and high quality.

Eastern has a rich and complex history in aviation, to say the least. 

It's great that you're personally involved in such things - it must be very rewarding (most days
!!) regarding your work.  My brother and former mother-in-law worked for a major US airline; over the years I became convinced that working in aviation is somehow addictive for many or most workers.

[Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers]

Here she comes: https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/n277ea/#a0bdcc7

It seems that you need a certain tick of madness to STAY in aviation. If you're in for a 9-5 job or just for the money, you will drop out soon. Getting these demanding beasts to fly and keeping it all legal (without the idea that it is "just" to keep it legal -- in this field, legal means "people died because this rule wasn't there yet") takes more than just a regular job mentality.

What I like most about it, is that you can pretty much do it all, if you place yourself in the right environment and put the effort in it. The field rewards achievement. It was called "playing pinball" in Tracy Kidder's "The Soul of a New Machine". Same thing. Sort of same environment, too.


Hoppie

[Will]

Thanks for posting.

[vito]

Thanks, great documentary ! I saw it long ago and was trying to find it again but I had no luck so far.

best regards

vito

[Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers]

Fixed! N277EA now has a world-class SATCOM. Polar expedition, anyone?


My other car is a white 2005 Kia! Finally I can work at KMIA for a change.


Job complete, telling my wife that I will be home in an hour. Better than Guam  :-)



Old queens rarely die. They mostly get moved to the cargo apron.


Hoppie

[evaamo]

Great pics Hoppie!

The last one is specially nice...

cheers amigo,
-E