VH-EAE. Lockheed L-1049E Constellation. c/n 4578

Was also registered as: N9720C.

 

This aircraft was originally built as a Lockheed 1049E-55-81

It was converted during construction to a Lockheed 1049E-55-118 for Qantas Empire Airways

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-EAE - September 24, 1954

Registered to Qantas Empire Airways Ltd, Sydney

First flown - February 01, 1955

The export C. of A. (E-27662) was issued - February 04, 1955

Accepted by Qantas Empire Airways at Burbank - February 06, 1955

The aircraft was named 'Southern Moon'

Departed Burbank on the delivery flight to Australia - February 06, 1955

It arrived at Sydney (Kingsford Smith) on completion of the delivery flight - February 08, 1955

Delivery route: Burbank - Honolulu - Nadi - Sydney

Operated its first revenue service Sydney (Kingsford Smith) - London (Heathrow) - February 26, 1955

Withdrawn from service for modification to 1049E-01-55 standard - 1956

Withdrawn from service for the fitment of weather radar and upgraded to L1049G-01-55 - February 08, 1958

Returned to service - March 21, 1958

Operated its final revenue service Sydney - Nadi - Sydney - February 09, 1960

Withdrawn from service and stored at Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport

Sold to Lockheed Aircraft Corporation - March 1960

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - March 02, 1960

The aircraft had flown 14,744 hours with 3,341 cycles

Entered onto the United States Aircraft Register as N9720C - March 04, 1960

Departed Sydney (Kingsford Smith) on the ferry flight to Ontario via Nadi - Honolulu - March 08, 1960

Arrived Ontario on completion of the ferry flight - March 10, 1960

Leased to Capitol Airways - July 1960

Sold to Capitol Airways - December 1961

Operated by Capitol International Airways for Berliner Flug Ring during European summer - 1966 / 1967

The aircraft was now configured to seat 108 passengers

It had flown some 22,976 hours - July 12, 1967

Withdrawn from use and stored at Wilmington, Delaware - 1968

Last observed at Wilmington - July 1969

Cancelled from the United States Aircraft Register - 1970

Aircraft presumably scrapped at Wilmington

 

 

N9720C. Capitol Airways - in the standard livery at an unknown airport, date unknown.

(N. Louis Collection Copyright Image 1802-269.)