Lockheed Constellation N608S, parked many years ago at Ryan Field near Tucson, Arizona, will be scrapped. For years it has been used to provide spare parts for some of the flying Connies. The derelict machine, many parts were missing, was declared a safety hazard because of all the bird droppings that were everywhere in the machine (all windows were gone, so every bird could go in). When it wil be scrapped is unknown, but as it was decided to remove the aircraft, it can now “die” any day.
By: EHVB - 6th February 2002 at 18:40
RE: Constellation to be scrapped
The aircraft was scrapped on january the 11th. However, parts were donated/used to keep the 3 Connies at Avra Valley, The “MATS”, the “Swiss” and the “Dutch” in the air. The Dutch Connie is now hoped to arrive in Europe somewhere in May or June!
By: EHVB - 28th January 2002 at 17:35
RE: Constellation to be scrapped
The situation in Holland is”difficult”, but not “inpossible”(yet). The crash with the DC-3, in which 34 people were killed, did a lot of harm. However, historic aircraft have still some future in Holland, and there is a good chanche that the Constellation will be seen in the air, at least during the 2002 season. I think the july 31 airshow at Lelystad will see most of Hollands vintage fleet in the air, including hopefully, the Constellation which, together with the DC-2, will be based here. Another tip, photography at Lelystad is very good, almost perfect.
By: SADSACK - 28th January 2002 at 16:43
RE: Constellation to be scrapped
Dont get your hopes up, warbirds in Holland seem to be crippled by the Dutch CAA!
By: philo - 24th January 2002 at 18:02
RE: Constellation to be scrapped
Ant,
Thats the one, just could not remember the number(not surprising if you see some of my other faux pas in other postings, i think the fairies have removed my ‘aviation’ chip during a heavy sleep).
I assume that it is still potentially airworthy, i think it would have been 1992 when i saw it fly.
By: Ant.H - 23rd January 2002 at 22:55
RE: Constellation to be scrapped
Philo,you might be thinking of the Boeing 247 they have at Wroughton. So far as I know she hasn’t flown in quite some time.
By: philo - 23rd January 2002 at 21:36
RE: Constellation to be scrapped
When did she last fly ?
Also (i think) there is a very interesting Beoing 2**? at Wroughton, i recall it flying before one of the Great Warbird displays there, do you know anything about it.
By: David J Burke - 23rd January 2002 at 21:33
RE: Constellation to be scrapped
Correct Philo she is pained in TWA colours – the are a number of pictures around of her in various Dutch markings as she made her way around Europe.
By: philo - 23rd January 2002 at 21:27
RE: Constellation to be scrapped
David, i am right in saying she is in TWA colours though, am i not ?
By: David J Burke - 23rd January 2002 at 19:27
RE: Constellation to be scrapped
The machine at Wroughton is actually ex KLM – she never flew with an American operator coming straight from Lockheed to Europe. She is a
magnificent machine – it’s a pity that her European sisters are dying at an alarming rate!
By: EHVB - 23rd January 2002 at 19:17
RE: Constellation to be scrapped
I know, a long time ago it was rolled outside during a Wroughton open house or so, but that was only once. Although, with some luck you will see another Connie “outside” as the Dutch Connie has to pass the ocean via a landing in the UK.
Roger
By: philo - 23rd January 2002 at 19:04
RE: Constellation to be scrapped
Sad to see another Connie go.
I would like to see the ex TWA one that sits behind closed doors at Wroughton ‘out and about’ one day.
Phil.
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January 23, 2002 at 6:57 pm