Fortunate to fly in a Super Constellation of BOAC from Boston Mass, to London Heathrow via Gander. in 1957 aged seventeen . Since then have flown numerous times across the world with many airlines . But that flight was the best by a mile.
My father flew Connies for the last 6 years or so of his career as a Naval Aviator, first as Operations Officer with VAW-11 out of Argentia, Newfoundland and later as Senior Aviator at the Naval Research Laboratory just outside of Washington, DC. Next to the F4U Corsair, which he flew during WWII, the Connie was his favorite bird, and I can see why. Elegant, graceful and sleek, she was as tough an a/c as she was beautiful! My hat goes off to the Lockheed engineers who designed and built her!
I will always love flying and airoplanes. I remember seeing these planes at Dublin airport when I was young. They came in from the States. I once flew on a Basel Air DC6B from Basel-Geneva return. It was in superb spotless condition. The old piston engines gave a lovely roar and smoked on start up. It was crowded, so the take off took a long time and was gradual !!
My dad was a flight engineer in an USAF hurricane hunter in the early 60's, and have had a love affair with that bird ever since, thanks for posting the civilian side of an aircraft the was beautiful to look at and a privilege to be a passenger in.
These were the days before outsourcing was even a concept. Happy employees, and you actually talked to people, and people were nicer. I still have a couple of plastic wings given to kids back then, which was partly what drove me to get in to aviation. Between unscrupulous management, unscrupulous employees and the whole supply chain, the airline industry is now less than 5% of what once was. After 9/11, I left the industry for good. By the way, noticed the food preparation? no plastic gloves as today. But then, brothers and sisters wouldn't sue each other back then. Very nice video of a long gone era. Love Connies! Thanks for sharing!
The L749 on the assembly line "PH-TFF" was destroyed by fire at Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport on March 23, 1952 after #3 engine separated due to lost prop blade! Great vid!
Been in Kansas City for 45 years--35 of which were with TWA and I never knew this video existed!!! Am a volunteer at theTWA Museum at 10 Richards Road and was thrilled to see it! Hopefully we can use this at the Museum...any permission needed?
What a fabulous video. I remember QANTAS Connies when I was VERY young but never got to fly one. My father used to travel overseas on them in the 1950s. Thanks so much for posting.
What a stunning plane. Ive always wanted to fly in a Constellation. I think Ive missed my chance! Along with the VC10 probably the most beautiful plane ever to fly.
Flying was a joy years ago. The food was good too. You were respected when you flew. Now, it is a pain. You can't wait until it is over. George Vreeland Hill
well I was in the Aviation business as a Maintenance Tech. I came into it too late. I worked at a place where I worked with some OLD TIMERS From Braniff and they told me how much fun it was and how well they were treated. I guess I am deprived of that experince. The way the Airline industry is now, is a tragic. Came the people in, nickle and dime them for every little thing. Good luck on the restof your flying days
I met the Connie in 1961 when Trans Canada Air Lines brought us to Canada. With stops in Barbados, Antigua and Bermuda the trip took 14 hours. TCA had only 4 Connies in 1961. Until a few years ago one of them served as a restaurant in Toronto and I believe is now in a museum in Seattle. I wonder if it was the same aeroplane I flew in.
This is wonderful!!!! Thank you so much for all your trouble. Modern planes are much better; but I wish we could have that service!! Low frill carriers in Europe treat you like dirt now!! I admit they brought the prices down. From Ireland to England I now drive and use the car ferries Dublin-Holyhead return.
I have this TWA movie on DVD with its original soundtrack and length. Apparently this film as seen here was changed to make it a more generic picture about the airline industry in the early 1950's. No where do you hear the letters or words TWA or "Trans World Airlines" (though you see it all over!) as in the original flick. The original movie also had the pilot's actual "Missouri accent" voice which sounds nothing like the voice used here for the pilot. Nonetheless, a great movie!
Growing up in the 50's on the Chgo MDW 22R approach ..being lulled to sleep in summer by the radials doing their "run-up" and then down the runway...I wondered where they were headed to. ...and remember watching the "string of lights as the planes were lined up for landing from MDW out over Lake Michigan! Also, the original Connie's (not the Super G's) on take-off often flew a LOT lower than the DC-6's and 7's. ...did TWA overload them? ...or was the low rate of climb a norm for Connie's???
@nedarc, Have you ever been interviewed about growing up living TWA at all? It sounds like you'd have a books worth of tales to tell! We had one of these beautiful old planes fly into Tamworth, NSW about 10-11yrs ago, every man and dog came out to watch, it was the plane that Janet Jackson did a video clip on, bought by a private collector from QLD. They may be old BUT they had class, & they still hold their own, even today! *Ever thought about writing a book yourself?! Cheers.
Ah, the glory days of aviation... if they could only return. TWA... you will always be remembered. Wow, KLGA (La Guardia) before it's runways were extended!
My favourite airline is Air France. I flew on Boeing 777 - 300 s with them to Tokyo return from Paris and South Africa return from Paris. Beautiful plane and wonderful service with dignity and style that the French are good at.
Construction on CDG, Charles DeGaulle Airport did not begin until the late 1960's, and the first flight operated from there on March 8, 1974, almost THIRTY YEARS after the Connie flight. The Paris airport in 1946 was Le Bourget. In fact, on October 26, 1958, the first Boeing 707 flight from IDL in NYC to Paris also landed at LeBourget. Orly Airport was the main Paris Airport before CDG opened.
@Tchocke I think they were using ADFs, simular to today's NDBs, "point and shoot", no azmith alignment that a VOR can give you. I can't imagine conducting an IFR flight with only a spotty AM signal!
I'm so surprised to see that rigorous safety protocols and radio navigation/ILS (amongst other features) are not modern inventions and have actually been around for 60 years!
What job did the gentleman that salutes the captain have? I've seen a couple of clips of this same era and there's an employee saluting the cockpit before t/o.
yeah man, you said it.....like you I experienced the good old days when employees were treated with respect and paid well...the job slowly erroded in the 1980s and slowly plummeted....all the old legacy carriers are slowly vanishing, breaks my heart....to think that idiot Alfred Kahn of dereg days started this slow unravelling...but we got good memories !! who you flying a whale for?
Fortunate to fly in a Super Constellation of BOAC from Boston Mass, to London Heathrow via Gander. in 1957 aged seventeen . Since then have flown numerous times across the world with many airlines . But that flight was the best by a mile.
My father flew Connies for the last 6 years or so of his career as a Naval Aviator, first as Operations Officer with VAW-11 out of Argentia, Newfoundland and later as Senior Aviator at the Naval Research Laboratory just outside of Washington, DC. Next to the F4U Corsair, which he flew during WWII, the Connie was his favorite bird, and I can see why. Elegant, graceful and sleek, she was as tough an a/c as she was beautiful! My hat goes off to the Lockheed engineers who designed and built her!
Wow! Your Dad had an amazing and enviable career; thanks for sharing!
From a former Flying Tiger pilot, and son of a TWA Flight Engineer who flew the Connie, great film. Thanks for sharing it.
I will always love flying and airoplanes. I remember seeing these planes at Dublin airport when I was young. They came in from the States.
I once flew on a Basel Air DC6B from Basel-Geneva return. It was in superb spotless condition. The old piston engines gave a lovely roar and smoked on start up. It was crowded, so the take off took a long time and was gradual !!
My dad was a flight engineer in an USAF hurricane hunter in the early 60's, and have had a love affair with that bird ever since, thanks for posting the civilian side of an aircraft the was beautiful to look at and a privilege to be a passenger in.
These were the days before outsourcing was even a concept. Happy employees, and you actually talked to people, and people were nicer. I still have a couple of plastic wings given to kids back then, which was partly what drove me to get in to aviation. Between unscrupulous management, unscrupulous employees and the whole supply chain, the airline industry is now less than 5% of what once was. After 9/11, I left the industry for good. By the way, noticed the food preparation? no plastic gloves as today. But then, brothers and sisters wouldn't sue each other back then. Very nice video of a long gone era. Love Connies! Thanks for sharing!
The Connies WERE beautiful. Too bad the jet age shortened their life-span.
You have the greatest site on the web...thanx for posting these! Aerial Gunner Vietnam USAF
I love these films you present, an excellent portrait of Americana and the airline industry.
" Thanks a lot from me."
The L749 on the assembly line "PH-TFF" was destroyed by fire at Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport on March 23, 1952 after #3 engine separated due to lost prop blade! Great vid!
I flew on a TWA Connie from Cairo to Geneva in 1954.
In 1950 one crashed on take off from Cairo, King Farouk Airport.
Thanks for the video.
Been in Kansas City for 45 years--35 of which were with TWA and I never knew this video existed!!! Am a volunteer at theTWA Museum at 10 Richards Road and was thrilled to see it! Hopefully we can use this at the Museum...any permission needed?
What a fabulous video. I remember QANTAS Connies when I was VERY young but never got to fly one. My father used to travel overseas on them in the 1950s. Thanks so much for posting.
simply beautifull........... i wish i could be there in that time....
A absolutely great movie. Thank you very much.
great film documenting the "good old flying days" ..... even though it took more time, it was alot more pleasant than the crap you get today
What a stunning plane. Ive always wanted to fly in a Constellation. I think Ive missed my chance! Along with the VC10 probably the most beautiful plane ever to fly.
Flying was a joy years ago.
The food was good too.
You were respected when you flew.
Now, it is a pain.
You can't wait until it is over.
George Vreeland Hill
Correction: ADF is the on-board equipment that seeks out the NDB, which is the homing signal.
well I was in the Aviation business as a Maintenance Tech. I came into it too late. I worked at a place where I worked with some OLD TIMERS From Braniff and they told me how much fun it was and how well they were treated. I guess I am deprived of that experince. The way the Airline industry is now, is a tragic. Came the people in, nickle and dime them for every little thing.
Good luck on the restof your flying days
Ah,the days of glory! Thank you very much.
I met the Connie in 1961 when Trans Canada Air Lines brought us to Canada. With stops in Barbados, Antigua and Bermuda the trip took 14 hours. TCA had only 4 Connies in 1961. Until a few years ago one of them served as a restaurant in Toronto and I believe is now in a museum in Seattle. I wonder if it was the same aeroplane I flew in.
This is wonderful!!!! Thank you so much for all your trouble. Modern planes are much better; but I wish we could have that service!! Low frill carriers in Europe treat you like dirt now!! I admit they brought the prices down. From Ireland to England I now drive and use the car ferries Dublin-Holyhead return.
I have this TWA movie on DVD with its original soundtrack and length. Apparently this film as seen here was changed to make it a more generic picture about the airline industry in the early 1950's. No where do you hear the letters or words TWA or "Trans World Airlines" (though you see it all over!) as in the original flick. The original movie also had the pilot's actual "Missouri accent" voice which sounds nothing like the voice used here for the pilot. Nonetheless, a great movie!
Growing up in the 50's on the Chgo MDW 22R approach ..being lulled to sleep in summer by the radials doing their "run-up" and then down the runway...I wondered where they were headed to. ...and remember watching the "string of lights as the planes were lined up for landing from MDW out over Lake Michigan! Also, the original Connie's (not the Super G's) on take-off often flew a LOT lower than the DC-6's and 7's. ...did TWA overload them? ...or was the low rate of climb a norm for Connie's???
@nedarc, Have you ever been interviewed about growing up living TWA at all? It sounds like you'd have a books worth of tales to tell!
We had one of these beautiful old planes fly into Tamworth, NSW about 10-11yrs ago, every man and dog came out to watch, it was the plane that Janet Jackson did a video clip on, bought by a private collector from QLD. They may be old BUT they had class, & they still hold their own, even today!
*Ever thought about writing a book yourself?! Cheers.
I think this film is actually somewhat later than 1946 though. At 8:16 I see what is to me about a 1952 Chevy.
Ah, the glory days of aviation... if they could only return.
TWA... you will always be remembered.
Wow, KLGA (La Guardia) before it's runways were extended!
My favourite airline is Air France. I flew on Boeing 777 - 300 s with them to Tokyo return from Paris and South Africa return from Paris. Beautiful plane and wonderful service with dignity and style that the French are good at.
Construction on CDG, Charles DeGaulle Airport did not begin until the late 1960's, and the first flight operated from there on March 8, 1974, almost THIRTY YEARS after the Connie flight. The Paris airport in 1946 was Le Bourget. In fact, on October 26, 1958, the first Boeing 707 flight from IDL in NYC to Paris also landed at LeBourget. Orly Airport was the main Paris Airport before CDG opened.
I love watching these
wow i love T W A,i wish if they were still around,they are the one who Train Ethiopian Air Lines pilots back in the 60 s!
If it only consisted of the sound of those idling radials, it'd be worth the trip
@Tchocke I think they were using ADFs, simular to today's NDBs, "point and shoot", no azmith alignment that a VOR can give you. I can't imagine conducting an IFR flight with only a spotty AM signal!
049 same model that is displayed at the Pina Arizona air museum.
Excelente documental, me encantaría volar uno de esos !!!
wow, lovely..Is this from a public domain site, if it is what a find..
You're right, it's either a '51 or a '52.
Sadly, this airplane was destroyed at Chicago Midway Municipal airport.
Wow, thank goodness for jet engines, now flight time from IAD to CDG: 7hr 35min
oh my god! i just looked at the photos.
planes were all distinctive once - a lot more fun before every designer began reaching for his computer.
I'm so surprised to see that rigorous safety protocols and radio navigation/ILS (amongst other features) are not modern inventions and have actually been around for 60 years!
7 people are jealous because airboyd has way more viewers, likes, subscribers, and friends than any of them
at 20:32 she fastens her belt while holding a lit smoke in the other hand
Dear Airline Industry, "And from now on, you're only someone that I used to love." LoL!
Which version of the "Connie" was featured in this clip?
What job did the gentleman that salutes the captain have? I've seen a couple of clips of this same era and there's an employee saluting the cockpit before t/o.
6 hours 45 mins. I did that flight yesterday. :)
@nedarc well,i am sorry 4 ur dad may god bless his soul,R u an air line pilot now?
Stewardesses that can fit their rear-ends in the aisle - a good idea that has been lost.
It was great :))))
@Tchocke and ADF/NDB's, Autopilot (co-pilot), and proper service
Good eye man
Captain Walt Gunn 7:15
Who wears a tie while relaxing at home? For me, I can't wait to get that noose off.
yeah man, you said it.....like you I experienced the good old days when employees were treated with respect and paid well...the job slowly erroded in the 1980s and slowly plummeted....all the old legacy carriers are slowly vanishing, breaks my heart....to think that idiot Alfred Kahn of dereg days started this slow unravelling...but we got good memories !! who you flying a whale for?
WOW cool video see my video response above !
Ever notice that every video from or having to do with the 1930s - 40s have the same dudes in them... someone get me alex jones number