Replies

The Connie was a beautiful aircraft, no doubt about that. About 13-14 years ago I got a good look at the one that TWA had restored to like new condition and put on display in Kansas City. It was the first one I had seen since the 1950s when they were operated out of Miami on international routes when I was in high school. I love all those old timer prop planes with round engines, although I will be the 1st to admit that flying long distances is far more comfortable in modern jet aircraft.

I fell in love with the sound of radial engines when our small town got one flight a day by a National Airlines Lockheed Lodestar. I would ride my bike down to a spot that it often came over as it climbed out, and the sound from those twin radials 2 or 3 hundred feet up with every knob pushed or pulled was music to my ears.

OK, enough reminiscing for one day. When I get started on old airplanes I never know when to quit, so I now quit.

National Airlines Lockheed Lodestar.

Ahh yes, 'Airline of the Stars'
Flew them several times, mainly on a n Electra. Great plane.
Did fly on a Connie once from MIA to JAX.

Remember when one ditched at sea on a flight from LA to Hawaii? A Navy ship was at the scene and I don't think there were any injuries.
Actually IIRC the pilot sought out the ship and ditched next to it. Don't remember the reason for the ditching.