Now this is where you want to stand to shoot a landing Constellation as it touched down on Runway 31 at Prestwick in very dull conditions. The aircraft is on a delivery tour from Camarillo USA To Basle in Switzerland with a two or three day stop intended here at Prestwick. (D60 ISO 100 1/180th & F5.6 )

Pictured rotating off rw24 for her majestic display at Flying Legends 2014.

Delivered to the US Navy in October 1957 as a WV-2, later EC-121K. Mainly used as a radar training aircraft based at NAS Glynco. Retired in 1973.

I was happy to see that the Museum of Flight just keeps getting better and better. This Connie was a pretty spectacular addition to the Airpark since my previous visit.

This plane is known as "Avión Pirata" or "Pirate Plane" amongst the locals. It is said that on July 29, 1961 this plane was forced to land by the Bolivian Air Force as it was suspected to transport contraband (hence its name). In 1979 it was moved to its current location to be preserved as a library near downtown Santa Cruz (El Tao neighborhood). Since then it has worn various liveries including AeroSur and Pepsi colors. It originally flew as YV-C-AME for LAV - Línea Aeropostal Venezolana.

This aircraft served as 53-0535 with the 551st AEW Wing based at Otis AFB before arriving at AMARG during Dec. 69 where it had the PCN/Inventory No. CK084. It was photographed in the restoration compound of the Pima Air & Space Museum.

This beautiful, old fomer MATS aircraft has been lovingly restored by the Super Constellation Flyers Association. 'Star of Switzerland' is pictured resting at PIK on her way to her new home in Basel.

Moved to lawn in front of the museum in January 2015, where it is currently on display.

Taxying in with flags displayed after a nine hour transatlantic crossing from Canada. This Swiss flag denotes her new home will be at Basel.

Delivered to the US Navy as a WV-2 in March 1958, serving VW-1 Squadron at Agana. Retired to MASDC in April 1971 with 12,242 total flying hours. Scrapped subsequent to May 1974.

While she was looking pretty good in the 2012 photo, the harsh Florida sun has taken its toll and she is in need of a paint job Check out the 2014 and 2016 photos to see the slow progression of paint deterioration.

Ex KLM Connie, beautifully preserved at the Wroughton Science Museum facility. Delivered to KLM in 1947, as PH-TET "Tilburg", later PH-LDT, and withdrawn from use Sep 1960. It was converted to freighter in 1962, then briefly carried TI-1045P in 1964 before becoming N7777G that same year. As such it saw service with many operators until impounded at Dublin in 1974, where it would remain for many years. Sold to Aces High in 1982 and registered as G-CONI, but reg never applied. The Science Museum acquired the aircraft and transported it from Dublin to Wroughton in July 1983. Restoration completed in Sep 1984 in TWA colours, even though it never flew for TWA.

Anonymous C-121C with no titles. The serial 54-157 is worn in very small numerals on the aft fuselage below the tailplane. Operated by the 193rd Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron of the Pennsylvania ANG.

This C-121 served with the 193rd Tactical Electronic Warfare Group at Olmstead AFB, PA until Nov.1977, when it was retired after 21 years to MASDC. It escaped the boneyard in August 1981 and registered N1104W but the hoped-for civilian career didn't materialise and it is now on display at the NASM Udvar-Hazy Center.

Now moved to the restoration compound at the Pima Air & Space Museum, hopefully, she will be back on display soon looking as good as new.

Showing traces of Eastern Airlines livery

Actually US Navy machine 141309, this Warning Star is preserved in the museum at McClellan representing 53-0552, an aircraft once based here.

The stylised CJS on the fin could be any combination of these letters as an airline title

Operating a weekly summer Inclusive tour service to Palma. The aircraft was ex KLM PH-LKK and served Iberia from 03.61 to 05.67. As 5T-TAC it crashed on approach to Port Harcourt, Biafra, in 01.68 during that civil war.

Ex Air France passenger aircraft. Modified as convertible pax/freighter with 102 seats and used by Catair from 1968 until November 1972. Scrapped in 1979 at Nimes-Garons.