Super Constellation "Connie"
Arguably the most graceful and beautiful airliner of its day, the Super Constellation with its dolphin-curved fuselage, triple elliptical tails, and its later variants with optional tear-drop wing-tip fuel tanks, celebrated its 70th birthday in July 2021.
Conceived in the late 1930s to carry more people further and faster than ever before, and economically enough to broaden the acceptance of flying as an alternative to other modes of transport, the Constellation represented the ultimate in airline performance. In its civilian configuration during the 1950’s, it offered the ultimate in luxury air travel.
The introduction of jet aircraft in the late 1950s and 1960s led to the displacement of propeller-driven aircraft from frontline service and they were scrapped, or relegated to lesser roles. Super Constellation C-121C, 54-0157 was removed from active service and transferred to the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Centre, in Arizona.
Subsequently C-121C, 54-0157 was purchased by the Museum of Victoria, which later structured an accord with the Historic Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) for a 10-year lease, on condition it would restore and fly the aircraft at its own expense.
Restoration of the Super Constellation was commenced by painstaking and dedicated HARS members in March 1992, in the dry and freezing Arizona desert. Eventually, on 3 February 1996 the Super Constellation - nicknamed ‘Connie’ and with Australian registration VH-EAG, arrived in Sydney.
There are now less than sixty Super Constellations left in the world, only two of which are airworthy - VH-EAG at the Historic Aircraft Restoration Society museum at Albion Park, Australia and the Super Constellation Flyers Association HB-RSC in Basel Switzerland.
Engineering Heritage Recognition Program
| Marker Type | Engineering Heritage Marker (EHM) |
| Award Date | June 2018 |
| Heritage Significance | This Super Constellation was a important design in the development of civil aviation and the aircraft at HARS is one of only two remaining in flyig condition. |
| Nomination Document | Available here. |
| Ceremony Booklet | Not Available. |
