Taxiing past to to some high speed tests on the Schiphol-East runway 04 - 22

Delivered to the USAF in 1949 as 48-0612. Withdrawn from use in October 1967. To Christler Flying Services in July 1970 as N9465. To Beaver Air Spray in July 1979 as C-GXKR. Withdrawn from use and stored at St. Jean, Quebec, Canada. To Conifair Aviation around October 1981 as N749VR. Seen in April 2002 as N749NL at Avra Valley, Arizona. Restored by May 2002 and made its first flight since 1994. The ferry to The Netherlands started on September 15, 2002., routing Fort Worth, Alpena, Goose Bay, Keflavik, Duxford, Manston, Lelystad and Schiphol. Forever a shame she wasnt given a chance to fly.

Our Dutch Connie standing beautiful in the autumn sunshine, in preparation of an engine run later that evening. Forever a shame she was never given the chance to fly.

Work in progress on everyone's favourite propliner. Unfortunately she would not return to the sky.

Registration PH-FLE was never actually assigned to this aircraft. It was requested for this Connie on 5 May 2003, but the request was denied nine days later. The real PH-FLE was Fokker F.27 c/n 10334 (in 1967).

The nightly test-run of the Connie with many visitors present who came to watch this event. Unfortunately the #3 engine was refusing to cooperate, but it still was a great sight (and sound!).

Spitting out some fire during the afternoon test-run of the Connie. She would give another demo later that night, but unfortunately engine #3 didn't work.

Air India inaugurated services to Paris in April 1951, the same month VT-CQS was sold to Qantas as VH-EAF. Photo from: Civil Aviation Historical Society, Melbourne Australia

VH-EAA arrives at Sydney at the end of its delivery flight. Converted to an L-749A in 1952 and sold to BOAC in February 1955. QEA had been lined up to take Avro Tudor IIs alongside BOAC and South African Airways. The Avro's poor hot and high performance saw QEA (with relief) switch to the superior Constellation. Photo from: Hudson Fysh Collection/State Library of New South Wales

Lots of work was done to modify the prop adjustment on the Aviodrome Constellation. On this afternoon the engines were started to perform a series of tests.

Served Air France 1948 until 1960. Modified later to L-749A and fitted out as 65-seater for European services. To SGAC in SAR configuration with call sign F-SSFP. Scrapped in 1973. From Air France 60 years ago.

"The Dutch Connie" is seen arriving over Lelystad Airfield in the capable hands of Captain Frank Lang

In spite of the rain it was a celebratory moment to see the Dutch Connie get airborne for the first time in its 1950s period KLM livery. It already has the name "Flevoland" on the nose, but for some reason it was taped over.

After 18 months of restoration at Avra Valley,AZ and a successful ferry flight N749NL is proudly welcomed at Lelystad.

Having had no.4 been testrun for one more time, the Dutch Connie was now fully ready. The Connie already has the name "Flevoland" on the nose, but for some reason it was taped over.

This aircraft flew as testbed with the French AF. Now it has been repainted in the colours of Air France.

Ready for engine start.

Almost at her new home after the long ferry from Arizona, taking a rest next to a freighter probably big enough to swallow up a Connie