C-121 "Constellation"

The C-121 Constellation, designated by the U.S. Air Force in 1948, was developed from the C-69 military transport, which had originated as a commercial transport for TransWorld and Pan American Airlines. C-69 aircraft were assigned to Air Transport Command during the last stages of World War II and were later resold to the airlines as surplus. The long-range transport C-121C, Model 1049, became the standard for succeeding Constellation models, and beginning in 1962 massive modifications to the “Super Connie” continued into the seventies. Some aircraft were modified with radomes above and beneath the fuselage for Air Force and Navy radar and reconnaissance missions as the EC-121-C and WV-2. Early in the C-121 series, the Military Air Transport Service used the Constellation for V.I.P. missions, including Columbine I, used by General Eisenhower while NATO commander; Columbine II, used by Eisenhower as a presidential transport; an aircraft used by General MacArthur on Bataan; and the later VC-121E, Columbine III, added to the presidential fleet. Lockheed produced 182 of all models. On March 4, 1981, the aircraft was dedicated to General William V. McBride, who as a colonel commanded the 1608th Air Transport Group at Charleston, South Carolina, from July 1957 to July 1959. The 1608th had 32 C-121 aircraft in two squadrons and flew vital overseas transport missions to South America, North Africa, and the Mediterranean area. McBride flew over 1,200 hours in the C-121 and later became commander of Air Training Command and Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force.

Lackland AFB, Texas · United States