Just read some gossip on another forum about Constellation Columbine II 48-0610 was to be flown from Santa Fee, New Mexico to Avra Valley AZ. Does anyone have anything on this one? Was it still current and flying or close to flying..? These grand old gals look great in the air. Hope to see more of them flown/preserved and less scrapped.
I had also read that Columbine I 48-0613 owned by Planes of Fame was maintained in airworthly condition but not flown at present. Is that one still up for sale?
By: Chad - 9th June 2003 at 19:10
Conni. still here
It has moved from Santa Fe. It was a very loved aircraft, buy Santa Fe residents. A sad day for me, I did not realize it was moved. And I’m there every week. 🙁
By: Willow - 9th June 2003 at 10:08
I visited Avra Valley in late February, and found 2 Connies there. The MATS Connie ‘8609’ on winter maintenance, and another unmarked Connie under heavy maintenance, which I was led to believe was N105CF which is bound for Switzerland. No sign of any others.
Very nice collection of 4No C54s though, together with a P2 Neptune and a pair of A37s. Very friendly place, we were quite welcome to wander around and photograph, no problem at all.
If anyone knows the identity of the dismantled A37 next to the hangar, I would be very grateful.
Willow
By: EHVB - 6th June 2003 at 21:22
For sure it isn’t going to Seatle. I was told that it was still on site, just outside the airfield, while another source said it was within the airfield now. Last time I saw it was in 1991 when it still was in either Mont Joli, or Port Joli. Hope it can be safed, but I am afraid it will end up in flame one night, as so often has happened in recent years. BW Roger
By: British Canuck - 6th June 2003 at 20:57
Thanks Roger for the info. I figured there was a Connie Fan out there who knows.
I found this pix on airliners.net of Columbine II taken in 1998.
Roger would you happen have any information about the Toronto Connie CF-RNR L1049 cn 4544 used as a Bar but now closed. Almost sold to Museum of Flight – Seattle but that fell thru. Now status or future seems unknown??
By: EHVB - 6th June 2003 at 20:44
Some 10 years ago. Bw Roger
By: British Canuck - 6th June 2003 at 20:42
Any ideas as to the last time 48-0610 was flown activity?
By: EHVB - 6th June 2003 at 20:40
“610” is at Marana Regional Airport , as Avra Valley is now called. I understood it is under a full reconstruction after all those years in open storage in New Mexico. Don’t know if it is for sale (still) or already sold. Asking price was astronomical I understood. 613 is not in flying condition but can be made so in a few weeks work. BW Roger
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June 6, 2003 at 8:27 pm