Lockheed Constellation

The graceful Lockheed Constellation was SAA’s first pressurised airliner. Establishing new standards in comfort and speed as well as being pressurised the Connie (as she is affectionately known) could fly above most of Africa’s weather.  Four entered into service in 1950 on the routes to Europe. The Constellation replaced the DC-4 as the premier aircraft on the Springbok service and introduced the Gold Plate service.

Time to London 28 hours

In 1952 SAA introduced the DH Comet on their Springbok route replacing the Constellation. This did not last long due the withdrawal of the Comet after a fatal crash. The Constellation thus was re-instated on the route until replaced by DC-7B in 1956 the Constellations were then relegated to internal and regional services and were eventually withdrawn from service and sold by 1964.

Normal passenger load: 42 Gold Plate or 58 in Tourist class seating.

ZS-DBR, DBS, DBT, DBU

Modelling

The following kits have been produced over the years that will allow the modeller to build a model of this aircraft.

The Heller 1/72^nd scale kit number is of a Constellation 749, Build it straight from the box, adding your desired decals markings and there you go.

Lockheed L1649A Super Constellation

SAA leased one of these aircraft from Trek Aviation although she never flew in SAA colours. This aircraft is still in existence and is in storage at SAA technical. Plans are afoot to move this aircraft to Rand Airport to join with the rest of the museum fleet. She is still in her Trek Airlines colours.

Heller kit number is of a L1049 Super Constellation will be your starting point

Both Revell and Minicraft have 1/144^th scale kits of the L1049 Constellation in their range.

Colours

Scheme one.

The delivery scheme of the Constellations was natural metal overall with Dark Blue trim on top of the cowlings with a pin stripe and a fuselage cheat line through the windows. The cheat line did not go all the way forward to the cockpit and ended at the second fuselage window from the cockpit. SAA logo carried on nose and the aircraft had SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS (left) /SUID-AFRIKAANSE LUGDIENS (right) struck through by a blue band with wings enclosing the airlines name. This band had a black pin stripe to it. The outer tail fins had the blue band on both the inner and outer face with the aircraft registration below it. The central tail fin carried the fluttering national flag.

Scheme two.

The basic delivery scheme of the Constellations of natural metal overall with Dark Blue trim on top of the cowlings with a pin stripe and a fuselage cheat line through the windows was modified by the addition of a white top to the fuselage and central tail fin. The cheat line was now extended through to the cockpit windows The Flying Springbok badge was added to lower forward nose with the aircraft name on the wing extensions The aircraft had SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS (left) /SUID-AFRIKAANSE LUGDIENS (right) struck through by a blue band with wings enclosing the airlines name. This band had a black pin stripe to it. The outer tail fins had the blue band on both the inner and outer face with the aircraft registration below it. The central tail fin carried the fluttering national flag.

 Scheme Three 

During 1960 the Constellation acquired her final colours. The aircraft was finished as per scheme two but the vertical tail fin was painted orange with the Swoosh with the Flying Springbok in the high position. 

Decals

Draw decals 72 Constellation

Cloudmaster decals