Lockheed VC-121A Constellation 'Bataan' Start Up, Takeoff and Landing

[@jonachaval1912]

The craftsmen who painstakingly restored this absolute beauty to not only look brand new but be airworthy as well are nothing less than national treasures. It would be an honor to one day to be able to see General McArthur’s old ride at an air show in person.

[@jancoffin6243]

That is totally awesome

[@LakhnBer]

Multiple likes for your compliment to those who restored this aircraft and keep it flying -- they are national treasures.

[@bobkohl6779]

Flew on one as a kid, incredibly comfortable

[@Leif-b8d]

Well it just now showed up here at Randolph Air Force today. Saw this exact one fly in

[@nelsonhelmutt5076]

Tis a Damned Pretty Airplane

[@chrisnstar]

My dad flew these for TWA. I was lucky enough to be a passenger on Connies many times. My favorite plane ever.

[@robertguelda3469]

With out exception, the most beautiful passenger aircraft ever produced. And it still is. My biggest regret is not ever being able to fly on one.

[@gliderfs621]

Big fan of Concorde here, I know completely your feeling, but at least you can still see your favorite plane flying 🥲

[@LakhnBer]

I rode Constellations on LAX-LGA flights a couple of times as a little kid in the nineteen-fifties. (Of course, I was a little brat and didn't appreciate them.) Two things I recall -- those prop engines were _loud_, and the trip took a lot longer than it does nowadays.

[@robertguelda3469]

@@LakhnBer I remember flying from Louisville to O'Hara Airport on a Eastern Airlines four engine prop. I think the airliner was golden Falcon. That was my first airplane ride. It would have never happened if I hadn't join the Navy, I was heading to boot camp at great lakes Illinois. 1964 I was 18. A great plane ride and a great four year's in the Navy.

[@infledermaus]

I absolutely concur. Someone suggests the Concorde as the most beautiful so let's say it's the most beautiful 4 engined prop plane ever created. Outstanding for it's time and ahead of it's time when introduced. This example is effing gorgeous! Thanks for posting!

[@NoTaboos]

That would be the Concorde.

[@eugenealbert2734]

My family and I emigrated from The Netherlands to The US in 1956. Flying on a KLM Super Constellation fro Schiphol to Idlewild in October, stopping off at Gander Airport in Canada. I will always remember that plane and. the trip.

[@mrwest5552]

@eugenealbert2734 - Thank U Sincerely for this comment, i would not be a glimmer in my mother's eye until one year later.

[@johnmesser522]

I crossed the Atlantic twice on one of these beautiful machines, from Charleston SC to Morocco, with stops in Bermuda and The Azores..... An experience still lingering in my memory @ 80 yrs old

[@dbaider9467]

Amazing, was it noisy inside? Could you hold a conversation?

[@NormanSpaulding-s7k]

Well, we share flying with a stop at the Azores. I flew on a MATS Constellation from New Jersey to Frankfurt Rhein-Maine. I'm 82, so not far apart in age, either. Yes it was a bit noisy inside, and on MATS you flew sitting backwards.

[@flyingtigerline]

I flew on a KLM DC-7C when I was 5 years old, LAX to Gatwick. The propellers. The exhaust flame. The noise. The bunk beds in the back. No greater experience for a 5 year old. I did my first flight on a 747 (KLM), Seattle to Schipol, just a few years ago. No propellers. No exhaust flame. Little noise. No beds. I'll take the DC-7. 🙂

[@juanmadera6803]

🙏👍❤

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

Does anyone really pay attention to this more?

[@natopeacekeeper97]

As a young kid growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, my mom used to take me to the airport where I'd watch the Constellations start up, taxi, and takeoff. Never gets old. Thanks so much for this video!!!!

[@mrwest5552]

@natopeacekeeper97 - agreed - Thank You Mom

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

Thought it was the F4 and F15?

[@StevieWonder737]

The most beautiful prop airliner ever built. Exquisite.

[@dbaider9467]

Exquisite is a very good word to describe her.

[@unclesven4515]

I remember flying in a TWA Constellation when I was very young. It is in my opinion the most graceful aircraft to ever fly.

[@dougn2350]

Was it particularly noisy during flight?

[@cll1639]

So do I, on a TWA flight from OKC to LA, circa late 50s. My young jaw dropped at first sight.

[@charlesm7589]

@@dougn2350 Yes, if you are comparing ANY propeller driven plane to a modern jet.

[@jaja-te8gw]

Und die JU 52

[@PacificAirwave144]

Curvey and beautiful! The Lockheed Constellation is gorgeous!

[@keithevans5409]

This is the most gorgeous aeroplane on the planet!

[@bryanhyde8850]

I agree, it's beautiful !

[@willisgordon2449]

AMEN!!!

[@janentomenkafka]

There's a few iconic planes, like the Dakota and Concorde. But there is only one gracious queen of the skies and her name is Connie !

[@keithevans5409]

@@janentomenkafka Yeah, Concorde runs the Connie a very close second in the gorgeousness department!

[@ernesthill4017]

The only airliner that rivals the Connie for graceful lines and aesthetics is (perhaps) the Concorde

[@gckshea]

As honorable as the restoration of THE most beautiful bird in the skies is, so, too, is the commitment of pilots to be current in real old school aircraft, their stick and rudder demands, and a flight engineer who can feel, smell, and sense the systems in operation. This is real flying!! Thank you. I have flight training envy.

[@waltersims493]

In 1957, I was seven years old. My Dad, an Air Force officer, received orders for a two year tour of duty to Taiwan. We took of from Travis AFB, California and island hopped for refueling across the Pacific. Without jet engines, the Pacific below is never ending and hard on one’s nerves with the Connie’s engines shooting flames, even if that is considered normal. We returned to the US via this plane two years later. We loved the Constellation; very comfortable inside. Thanks for reminding me of great times!

[@carlosfernandes8919]

Que Chic, Voce ter nascido em outros Tempos... Eu sou do Brasil Sul América, mas acho legal demais os Estados Unidos da década de 1900 a 1960... Depois disso já nos anos 1990, ficou muito parecido com o Brasil... Tudo Globalizado , muito Parecido ..hoje Eu tenho 59 anos, Eu nasci em 1965. Bela História de Vida a Sua... Atravessar o Pac´fico ,numa obra de Arte dessas...CONSTELATION... Parabéns... Eu fiquei Fascinado , quando Voei no DC-10-30 da VARIG Brasil ,em 1988 400 Passageiros, Não dava nem pra Acreditar... Eu sempre me senti seguro dentro do Boing 737-200 , Nunca passei sustos , nem medo.

[@brookeukena246]

This still looks futuristic! What a beautiful restoration. Great to see these planes still flying. Lockheed was truly outstanding in most of it designs.

[@MrStoney61]

Good Lord! That's so BEAUTIFUL it hurts. Well done!

[@robinoconnor1203]

So pleased there are 2 flying once more. Probably the most beautiful aircraft of all time.

[@morriewyatt6234]

Thanks for posting this and letting the glorious sounds of those radial engines speak for themselves without drowning them behind a soundtrack.

[@stabilo3170]

Here in Toulouse we love such beauty . A real queen of the sky. Bravo!

[@AirrowRocket]

One of the most gorgeous planes ever built.

[@50gary]

Now THAT'S a machine, beautiful in every way. Majestic.

[@bbayerit]

The most beautiful commercial aircraft ever. Remarkable condition. Love to see her fly.

[@jeffspicolli593]

The Connie is surely the most beautiful prop-liner with the L1011 TriStar the most beautiful jet-liner.

[@andyfredericks6205]

I got up close to this beautiful aeroplane back in '97 at Planes of Fame,Arizona. Wonderful to see her flying again.

[@tjjoseph333]

Nothing but a slide rule and its an historic work of Art. Just stunning in every detail.

[@andreweppink4498]

AlI the old Engineering projects - Hoover Dam, steam loco's, ships etc. alI just a slide rule.

[@kimskislalom]

@@andreweppink4498 Better engineers back then.

[@raybame5816]

I've seen a lot of restorations, but this, this one takes the cake. Excellent video and SOUND. Thanks..What a work of art.

[@hughm2615]

Love the sound of these synchronized engines

[@amyhawking8931]

ein wunderschönes Flugzeug

[@peterwarneford-bygrave1490]

My mum used to take me to Heathrow airport in the early sixties to visit the Queens Building as it was called then, I was twelve and was enthralled by watching the Constellations come and go, but sadly never got to fly in one, my favourite aeroplane, up there with Concorde and the Spitfire, fabulous.

[@herbertcourtesie2459]

Full appreciation to everyone who has contributed even with wiping her tires. You have done a commendable action.

[@gizmo98632]

Ok one.. I don't care what anyone says. This is quite possibly the most beautiful aircraft to EVER fly. Second to none. Two, the thing is in remarkable shape. Flawless . She looks brand new. And third. Mercy that has to be the cleanest start from ANY radial engine I've ever seen. A tiny amount of mixture chooch.. once on idle she cleaned up instantly. Stunning

[@lfldsLTL4R]

It is probably the most beautiful plane of any era.

[@jeanmartin4446]

Quel bel avion et ce, même en 2023 : j'adore le bruit des moteurs ! Ayant vécu près d'un aéroport pendant mon enfance, ce sont de beaux flashback dans le passé ! Merci ! 😊

[@rudolfadolf1681]

,,Ein wunderschönes Flugzeug ich habe sie noch im Linienverkehr Fliegen sehen,damals als kleiner Junge.dass sowas noch Flug-bereit gehalten wird verdient allen beteiligten meinen Respekt. Danke für eure Arbeit und vor allem eure Finanzielle Investition.

[@chrishauser5505]

I remember a sering a few of these at San Antonio International back in the 60s when my folks would drive my brother and I out to the Airport just to watch the planes take off and land. What a true labor of love to restore this work of art, and what a wonderful video. A beautiful day to take a beautiful plane out for a spin. Thank you to everyone who had a hand in this effort. Well done.

[@jeancolapierrearmande3326]

By far the most beautiful propellor aircraft ever made!

[@Loulovesspeed]

When I was just a young lad, my family took my Grandmother to, I believe, LaGuardia Airport in NY to watch her fly off to Mexico for a vacation, and to utilize her talents as a water color artist. Watching and waiving from a large window in the terminal, we could see her beautiful Lockheed Constellation roaring down the runway as it was taking off. To our horror, smoke, then flames started pouring out of one engine just as it lifted off! Thankfully, the plane immediately circled around and landed safely. While some degree of flame output was perfectly normal for this aircraft, this time it was a large fireball and smoke emanating from just one engine, so we knew that was not right! I truly believed that we thought we were waiving goodbye to our Grandmother for good! What a scary site that was and has remained with me to this day. I'm guessing it was around 1957 and I am now 75!

[@philipwoodall3103]

When I went through A&P school back in 1987-1989 this aircraft was on display outdors at the Army Aviation Museum at Ft. Rucker. Glad to see that it has been returned to her former glory and is flying once again. Excellent work. Beautiful aircraft.

[@dieselyeti]

Yup, I was at Rucker in 1990 and recall it being there too.

[@imeltonazevedo9363]

A true work of art! Beautiful flying machine.

[@lilliamcohen4454]

Beautiful. My father was a pilot and had 2 of these airplanes flying from Santo Domingo, DR to Puerto Rico with cargo for many years. I still feel the sound of engines in my ears and memory. Thank you for such a happy memories. ❤

[@johnslaughter5475]

The Super Connie was probably the most beautiful aircraft ever built. The thunder of those 4 big Wright engines pounded through everyone on the ground. The last I heard was that the only flying Connie was in Australia and had been retired. I am so happy to see this beautiful plane once again gracing the skies. I look forward to seeing Bataan coming to the Spokane, WA/Coeur d'Alene, ID area.

[@TheInvoice123]

HARS has retired its Connie? Still flying April 23

[@NoTaboos]

This is not a Super Connie.

[@johnslaughter5475]

@@NoTaboos Just what do YOU think it is?

[@NoTaboos]

@@johnslaughter5475 It's a standard Connie L749 (C-121A), with a pointed nose added. It is not an L1049 (C-121C), which are considerably longer, and have square windows. Can't YOU tell the difference?

[@stanstockton8483]

The Breitling corporation has a beautifully restored Super Constellation that flies out of St. Gallen Altenrhein Airport in northern Switzerland, off of the shore of Bodensee. The engine roar during takeoff is fantastic! (Time marker 5.46) Beautiful aircraft flying against amazing scenery! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWasiIGJlqhpg6c

[@David-hk3ly]

As a kid I flew on one from Bogota to Buenos Aires in 1960. Memorable.

[@christophercraig289]

Absolutely beautiful! Congrats to the team that accomplished the restoration.

[@danielrousseau4842]

My first flight (1956) was aboard a Constellation from Charleston, SC to Miami. What a great plane it was.

[@MagicalBacon]

Just heard it fly over again today! Such a sweet piece of aviation history! The tri-tail is unmistakable! Great video!

[@bigroy38]

What’s your 20?

[@MagicalBacon]

@@bigroy38 left downwind for 26L at KCNO flies right over my house,

[@bigroy38]

@@MagicalBacon Roger that.

[@omcbob37]

An iconic piece of aviation history - easily the most recognizable aircraft ever built and one of the best looking. Congrats on the magnificent restoration.

[@jackriley5974]

No mistaking the sound of this beauty! In 1960 I had the pleasure of flying from Travis to Tachikawa via Hawaii, Midway, Wake, and Guam.

[@johnosbourn4312]

This is a very beautiful propliner, and airlift aircraft. The Connie looks fast, even when she's just sitting still.

[@keithbarnett1714]

The Connie is stunning!!

[@williambrandt9254]

Beautiful video. From beginning to end. Thank you!

[@jzzr345]

Beautiful ! Great job on the restoration ! The lines on that aircraft are second to none from that era .

[@ctaviationvideos4926]

Amazing to see this fly after 8 years of restoration

[@jeffingram9916]

I was a radar man on the Navy EC-121K from 1960 to 1963. I was in AEWBARRONPAC at Barbers Point, Hawaii until 1961 and transferred to VW-11 in Argentia, Newfoundland in late 1961 until I was discharged in 1963. All the missions in VW-11 were flown out of Keflavik, Iceland. Out of Keflavik we flew patrols between Iceland and Greenland or between Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

[@infinitepilotmatt5870]

That was a great day! Me and my coworkers were extremely happy to see the Bataan up close! 10:50 you can see us all lined up for it’s taxi back! Amazing videos!

[@roberthudson4822]

Man, I wish I was i was involved in this project... ...I told myself I wasn't gonna cry. Outstanding work y'all. Gorgeous! Good job!! Beautiful Landing! She looks brand new... lucky bastards👍

[@Blimpie1000]

Some time in the 1970s, I believe, I was driving near the Miami airport and saw a Constellation flying out. Also, at the same time period I was sent to Key West by my employer and the aircraft was a DC-3! Both of these experiences are engraved in my memory. Than you for this video. I have a small scale model of a Constellation on my desk.

[@FunsongsMusicByPeterRahill]

The TOP SUPERMODEL, long-legged, most beautiful of them all. Pure poetry - in motion, or just standing still.

[@mikemacdavy8086]

Such a beautiful, classic aircraft.

[@bartlevenson7851]

I am now 70. I recall flying several times between 1962 and 1964 from Dayton to Philadelphia, with stops in Columbus and Pittsburgh. Also bought a Joyride at the 1996 Van Nuys Air show to Camarillo, as the only passenger. What a thrill, and what memories!

[@lght5548]

Slee k and elegant styling with the lion's roar of those wonderful radial engines. The Connie is a legend.

[@MikeFugily-hj3ok]

What a way to travel in one of these. Went and toured the one TWA Constellation at the old Kansas City airport and it's NOTHING like today's sardine stuffed flights. The seats had tons of space, definitely looked more comfortable and the sevise apparatus on board was like in a small kitchen back in tbe day, no plastic and just beautiful.

[@chinookMMA]

That’s awesome, me and my SF buddy were stationed there at Ft Rucker in ‘93 going through the CH-47 Chinook transition. We were in some class near the Museum when we heard those radial engines fire up. We both looked at each other grinning ear to ear, got up and just walked right out of class in search of that radial engine music. I don’t remember the mechanic’s name but he was the crew chief for the “Pond Racer” and gave me a picture of his plane that was on his tool box. We visited him daily and even got to run up the throttles once. I remember they had to take the fence around the museum airfield down because the runway was too short for them to clear the fence. Thank you guys so much fixing the big sexy girl up!

[@claiborneeastjr4129]

Nothing is so mesmerizing as those big radials! What a gorgeous Constellation.

[@cnknguyen]

Amazing. Whats old is new again.

[@jenniferdeery5281]

This video is wonderful...that last pass and landing sequence are some of the nicest I've seen of the Connie...and fortunately there is some really beautiful footage available for we Connie lovers. I also have to say that she is one of the most beautiful aircraft ever built, and this is a fine example. I've lived in Santa Fe, NM for quite a few years now, and for many, the Columbine II sat out at Santa Fe airport (a beautiful small-ish municipal airport that is fairly accessible...) and during that time I was able to take some decent pictures of it with great lighting and NO people around. You better believe I was there with my binoculars to watch when it was finally acquired by a group and flown down to somewhere in Texas, I believe, to be completely restored. What a loving moment that was, to see it take to the air again. Thankyou Kelly Johnson, thankyou Hall Hibbard, thankyou Lockheed, and everyone else who had a hand in creating and building such a thing of beauty...and thankyou again Skyes9 for this!!!!!!! I will be returning to it often!!! (I just checked on Columbine II, and it's not complete yet-it's in Bridgewater, Virginia at Dynamic Aviation and is expected to take several more years to complete a "better-than-new" restoration.....I can't wait!!

[@asthalis]

What a beauty... and what a sound ! This must be the best looking flying machine of all times. Barely no smoke at start-up, impressing. And it seems it weighs nothing when it takes off !

[@JohnHissem]

Years ago, on the way back from the Grand Canyon, we happened upon Valle airport, a real gem, so seemingly out in the middle of nowhere. At that time, 'Bataan' was was parked there. It was a weekday in March, a trip we took over spring break, so it was pretty quiet, few visitors. For a small fee, we were able to walk through this magnificent aircraft. Back then, they said the group responsible for the aircraft showed up once a year and ran up the engines, in the hopes that at some point in the future, this aircraft could be restored. That time came, it is wonderful to see it flying. If only the airframe could talk and share its stories. Probably alot of documentation for this famour aircraft, but I bet there are still stories it might have to tell.

[@gusolsthoorn1002]

Really nice. Fantastic restoration.

[@DavidSmith-ze2wi]

Wonderful photography of the most beautiful airliner that will EVER be produced. I always remember one of them taking off from a local airport by me one summer evening here in the UK. Stood at the end of the runway as it roared overhead with all four engines emitting exhaust flames. Fantastic, never to be forgotten.

[@devildawg1065]

Just fabulous. I can appreciate the amount of labor the technicians put into completing this restoration. A job well done to all who worked on this magnificent aircraft. Fantastic.

[@sharipuckett6923]

This is absolutely beautiful!Wow!! This is awesome!!

[@frankbutta9344]

Flannery’s Restaurant in Penndel, PA was 10 minutes from my home as I grew up. Jim Flannery put an entire Constellation over his small restaurant in 1967, and it was our favorite site throughout the 70’s and 80’s. They used the Constellation as a cocktail lounge, so I was able to get inside a couple of times. In the late 90’s, it was sent to Dover AFB and completely restored to its USAF origins. You don’t see many things like that now!

[@michaeldugger7716]

Wonderful to see this iconic aircraft flying again. Great job gentlemen!

[@MADHIKER777]

My first flight ever was on a Constellation, I was 7 years old Still, my favorite plane. What a beauty!

[@gillesgnd4885]

The Melody of the engines Is Amazing !!!!

[@nophi3015]

Wunderschöne Maschine.

[@laura-ann.0726]

The Lockheed E-121 Constellation is maybe the most esthetically beautiful flying machine ever built.

[@dlkline27]

No music! Fantastic! I worked on C and G models many decades ago as an avionics tech and rode on them quite a lot during that time. Great ship.

[@gregb6469]

The sound of those four engines roaring is music!

[@jameseast7966]

In 69 at Danang I always went to the end of our flightline to watch EC-121s take off and land. It had a large radome atop the fuselage. Agree with everyone, the most beautiful aircraft ever. Second is the RA-5c Vigilanty. Looks mach 2 sitting on the deck.

[@jmstowe]

My Dad was an FE on many connies. One on the things that the engineer did was to climb up on the wings to dip the fuel tanks. The idea was that you actually measured how much fuel was on board. Seeing this clip reminds me of that. Thank you for rekindling that memory.

[@Sky92651]

I was fly in near Bakersfield about 25 years ago and one of these beauties was at the same altitude cruising by about 3 miles off. What a treat.

[@williamedmonds9581]

9:34 I was at my sister in laws house when it made this pass. Was so amazing to finally see her flying. I was yelling for the wife to come out and look. Looks and sounds perfect.

[@arwzqu1964]

It has a beautiful shape to the fuselage.

[@Mdeaccosta]

Sweet Connie flew over our little town in the late 90s. I heard her coming, my God! Ran outside, she passed over and circled a little lumberyard that belonged to a retired Constellation pilot, Bob Vinyard, and roared back north to KC. They just came by to say Hi, Bob! The whole town was out in the streets jumping up and down❤

[@mrozboss]

Amazing to see and hear a Connie in the air again an absolute credit to the people who made this happen thankyou for the video

[@mcburcke]

Absolutely beautiful aircraft! I think its the best-looking design ever made. I hope it is as much fun to fly as it is to look at.

[@briananderson8733]

What a beautiful aircraft. My mother told me that when I was just a baby we flew from Boston Logan to Chicago O'Hare in a Constellation. I slept like a baby. I always have liked aircraft.

[@eddieraffs5909]

My dad worked for Pan Am in Miami back in the early 1950s. I got to fly as a passenger in a Connie several times. It was a fantastic plane.

[@michaelhayden725]

So incredible to have this old girl fly again. Her big sister a C121C Super Connie VH-EAG has been flying at Shellharbour Airport since 1996. Cheers!

[@KeaganTOGA]

That sound and view from 8:22 to 9:30 is the exact view I had as a kid when N6937C would land back at Kansas City after airshows and trips. My grandpa (who worked on these back in the day at TWA) and I would marvel at it every time it flew over. It's amazing how your video can take me right back to then, in my grandparents back yard, watching the Connie fly over with him. Though my grandpa is long gone and 37C hasn't flown in almost 20 years, your video gets to let me relive those memories and for that, thank you. Cheers and keep up the great work you do!

[@PasleyAviationPhotography]

You're like a top 10 radio station, the hits just keep coming.

[@Skyes9]

Thank you 👍 !!

[@johndoogan3712]

The first project sunrise, 96 hours from London to Sydney.

[@bernimuellerphoto-videogra4256]

Great! Looks better than new! Congratulations on this fantastic restoration and it's great to see and hear a Connie flying again. 👍👍

[@stulynn2005]

That is a sexy airplane no matter how you look at it. Thanks to all who worked on her ❤

[@DavidTrucksis]

In 1966 I entered the USAF and was on the crew at Hamilton AFB California and assigned to crew C-121A 8608. Loved that aircraft!!!! Loved the way one main gear would fall out upon retraction but always made into the wheel well.

[@rooms1028]

Flew from New York to Lisbon on one when I was a kid. Stopped on one of the Azore islands for some reason. I can still remember the drone of the piston engines. Seats also faced backwards.

[@jeffkirby6167]

Undoubtedly the very best video I have ever seen featuring a Connie!!!

[@terryfletcher6465]

The most elegant, beautiful aeroplane ever.

[@dlkline27]

Nothing but the sound of those 3350s. No music! Thank you!

[@thomasjacques5286]

Timeless and god bless those who are the keeper of that flame. Has been said it is a "national treasure". What an ageless beauty.

[@flewnvy]

Absolutely stunning restoration of a gorgeous aircraft! Bravo Zulu to the restoration crew and the benefactors that made this restoration possible. Superb video as well. Those 3350s will put me to sleep tonight.

[@paulyandle6081]

Lockheed built some truly beautiful machines.

[@Hunter_s_Spear]

Indeed is a perfect plane with advanced technology ahead of his time. A reference point for today's aerospace engineers. My hats off to those who designed it.

[@CSltz]

Thank you for all of your hard work.

[@jslasher1]

During which time I was employed by TW at MDW I learned that the final ‘Connie’ would land in STL later in the month. I scheduled a flight on DL ex ORD to STL to witness the last Connie’s arrival. The next day TW advertised itself as “the all-jet airline”.