Lockheed L-649 Constellation
| L-649 Constellation | |
|---|---|
| An Eastern Air Lines L-649 Constellation, with the optional "Speedpak" belly-mounted cargo hold | |
| Role | Airliner |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed |
| Designer | Clarence "Kelly" Johnson |
| First flight | October 19, 1946 |
| Introduction | 1947 |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary users | Eastern Air Lines Chicago and Southern Airlines Trans World Airlines (Operated one L-649) |
| Produced | 1946 - 1951 |
| Number built | 22 |
| Developed from | L-049 Constellation |
| Developed into | L-749 Constellation |
The Lockheed L-649 Constellation was the first real civilian version of the Lockheed Constellation line, as the Lockheed L-049 Constellation was a simple redesign from the military Lockheed C-69 Constellation. The L-649 was planned to be the new standard version of the Constellation, but the L-749 Constellation, a co-jointly produced improved derivative, was chosen over the L-649 by most airlines. Most of the few L-649 aircraft built were delivered and operated by Eastern Air Lines.