Lockheed L-1649 Starliner

The Lockheed L‑1649 Starliner was the ultimate evolution of the Constellation family, introduced by Lockheed Corporation in 1956 as a response to growing demand for long‑range, high‑speed air travel. Powered by four Pratt & Whitney T34‑P-3 turboprop engines driving eight‑bladed propellers, the Starliner could cruise at 300 knots and achieve a maximum range of roughly 6,900 nautical miles, allowing nonstop trans‑Atlantic and trans‑Pacific flights. Its airframe featured a stretched fuselage that accommodated up to 94 passengers, a redesigned wing with increased fuel capacity, and a pressurized cabin that offered greater comfort at altitudes up to 25,000 feet. Only 22 examples were built, chiefly for Pan American World Airways, Trans World Airlines, and the U.S. Air Force, which used a few as VIP transports. The aircraft’s debut marked the final major effort to keep propeller‑driven airliners competitive against emerging jet transports, and its performance set benchmarks for range and efficiency that influenced later designs. Although quickly eclipsed by jets such as the Boeing 707, the L‑1649 remains celebrated for its engineering elegance, its role in extending the global reach of commercial aviation, and its place as the swan song of the great propeller airliners.

Lockheed Corporation

Lockheed L-1649 Starliner

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