PO-1W Constellation

The PO‑1W Constellation was a specialized variant of the famous Lockheed Constellation airliner, adapted by the Lockheed Corporation for the United States Navy during the early Cold War. First flown in 1949, the PO‑1W entered service in 1950 as the Navy’s premier airborne early‑warning platform. Its airframe retained the classic “double‑bubble” fuselage, four‑engine Wright R‑3350 Cyclone radial engines, and the distinctive triple‑tail, but the nose was replaced with a massive radome housing the AN/APS‑20 radar. This equipment could detect high‑altitude aircraft at ranges exceeding 200 miles, giving carrier groups an unprecedented look‑out capability. The aircraft’s pressurised cabin allowed crew to operate for long missions, while its robust landing gear permitted operations from both carriers and land bases. Only a handful of PO‑1Ws were built, but they laid the groundwork for later Navy radar aircraft such as the EC‑121 and the modern E‑2 Hawkeye. The PO‑1W’s integration of sophisticated radar into a long‑range transport demonstrated the versatility of the Constellation design and marked a pivotal step in the evolution of airborne surveillance, influencing naval tactics for decades. Its distinctive silhouette, combined with speed, range, and advanced radar, proved vital for early warning missions during the Korean War.