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.
Table of Contents
- Specifications
- Photo Gallery
- Description
- Manufacturer:
- Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
- Country:
- United States
- Manufactured:
- 1947 to: 1951
- ICAO:
- L749
- Price:
- US$1 million (1947)
- Performance
- Weights
- Dimensions
- 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
click / tap to open full screen gallery
The Constellation Group - Lockheed L-749 Constellation
credit: Aero Icarus
The Constellation Group - Lockheed L-749 Constellation
credit: Aero Icarus
Lockheed L-749A Constellation 'N6022C' of Trans World Airlines
credit: RuthAS
Lockheed L-749A Constellation 'N6022C' of Trans World Airlines
credit: RuthAS
'F-ZVMV' Lockheed L-749 Constellation
credit: Lewis Grant
'F-ZVMV' Lockheed L-749 Constellation
credit: Lewis Grant
Aviodrome Lockheed L-749A
credit: Axel J.
Aviodrome Lockheed L-749A
credit: Axel J.
USAF Lockheed VC-121A Constellation (L-749)
credit: Andrew Thomas
USAF Lockheed VC-121A Constellation (L-749)
credit: Andrew Thomas
Lockheed L-749 Constellation co*ckpit
credit: Stahlkocher
Lockheed L-749 Constellation co*ckpit
credit: Stahlkocher
Lockheed L-749 Constellation Cabin
credit: Aldo Bidini
Lockheed L-749 Constellation Cabin
credit: Aldo Bidini
'N494TW' Lockheed L-749.
credit: Reinhard Zinabold
'N494TW' Lockheed L-749.
credit: Reinhard Zinabold
'N494TW' Lockheed L-749
credit: Reinhard Zinabold
'N494TW' Lockheed L-749
credit: Reinhard Zinabold
The Constellation Group - Lockheed L-749 Constellation
credit: Aero Icarus
The Constellation Group - Lockheed L-749 Constellation
credit: Aero Icarus
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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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