Dutch connie update 28/06/04 (still no first flight date)

Translated from Dutch. Original version can be found here.

Update 28 juni 2004

“Well done!” Those where the words from one of our English guests who taxied over the “small” runway of Schiphol with 75kts.As was mentioned earlier on the [aviodrome] forums we have done 3 succesful high speed taxiruns. Despite the storm ATC found some room to squeeze us between a few football charters.

With amongst others Roger Mills as experienced Constellation pilot and Pete Phillips as flight engineer we managed to test all systems during the taxi runs. With many spectators along the ruwnay the test started slowly. Before letting the brakes loose, we test all engines at full power. Then all four throttles forward, and when the brakes where released Connie shot away. Copilot

Cyril calls out the ever increasing speeds and at 65kts (120kph/80mph) the throttles go back and the red reverse-levers are activated. You can feel and hear the plane slow down. Because of the strong braking we can take the first exit to the left. Slowly we drive back to the beginnig of the runway. Once there the throttleare opened fully again, and now we started braking at 75kts (140kph/93mph). After a 3rd attempt the crew look at eachother laughing, and over the intercom we are hearing some satisfied sounds. All systems work perfectly!

After arriving back in the hanger it starts to rain. We where inside just on time!

The crew in the cockpit. Photo: Aviodrome.

Taxiing, on the background you can see 747 PH-BUK which will also go to the Aviodrome. Photo: Willem Honders.

Unfortunately we have not been able to visit the airshows of Volkel and Waddington. At least we managed to completely check out the Constellation, give it a new interior and make it look as if it came straight from the ealy ’50s.

We are now almost ready to start test flights, and the festive arrival at Lelystad will not take long anymore!

The cockpit. Photo: Aviodrome.

The back of the cabin. Photo: Aviodrome.

We also gave carefull attention to details as logos… Photo: Aviodrome.

… and labels at the emergency exits. Photo: Aviodrome.

[i]A nice overview from above. Photo: Robert Meerding.[i]

See you at the next update!

P.S. If you are in the posession of original Constellation material, and would like to donate this to the Aviodrome to help us with the restauration, please contact us at [email]connie@aviodrome.nl[/email].