If you like "Connies" you'll like this.. Very informative.

[christoff]

[chrisj]

Another BLAST from the past and very welcome too . Many thanks christoff . I started spotting just as they were going out of regular service so did manage to catch a few . Never forget the squeal from the nose wheels as the Trans Canada Connies turned to park where ( about ) terminal three is now at Heathrow . Also last evening (07/02/23) I just caught part of a program on PBS America about the USN aircraft used for deck training on the US Lakes and how some forty have been recovered for display . Quite a change from recovering to display . Chrisj

[lordevanelpuss]

I had the unique experience of having lunch on a connie back in 2000. It was at Toronto airport and unmarked, however after I posted an online enquiry, I was advised that it was L1049G CF-RNR C/N 4544.
Back in 1980, at the Musee de l'air was seen L749A F-ZVMV c/n 2503. Another of this marque was N494TW c/n 2601 which graced the 1998 PFA Rally at Cranfield. Most recently was the star of Farnborough 2014 L1049F HB-RSC c/n 4175.
.

[graham]

Thanks Phil, I have your last Connie HB-RSC as being seen at RIAT 2013 and N494TW at the 1998 FAB show.

[keefyboy]

I do recall the 1998 Connie at FAB - I think it was in MATS colours and leaking oil all over the place. I also remember HB-RSC at FAB. I was sinking a few pints of old grumblebelly with mates on the balcony of the pub at the end of the runway after a trade day when it started up with lots of flames and smoke - it took off and safely made several circuits of the airfield before landing right over our heads.

I don't have sophisticated computerised logs like many of you guys but I reckon I've seen about 30-40 Connies over the years. I well remember Air France Connies at LHR and Indian ones at Northolt plus a couple at Luton and several in the US.

As a kid in Battersea - I was right under the flight path into LHR and I must have seen countless over my early years along with Stratocruisers etc - but my lasting memory was sitting in my pushchair in the late 50's and watching those very noisy early jets flying over - I always looked up and often wonder what I missed!!

[lordevanelpuss]

I've just had a look at my 1998 diary, and yes I do have N494TW in my 1998 Farnborough airshow list as well as at Cranfield. On HB-RSC in 2014, I do remember it doing a fine low level overflight of Blackbushe one afternoon / evening and managing a rare passable ground - to - air photograph of it in the Blackbushe overhead. Presumably it was on it's way to Farnborough.