The Lockheed Constellation's engine testbed was ...

[Rick65]

Further to the prop size being the reason for the Beau nose.
A standard Ventura seems to have the prop tip passing very close to the nose, probably the result of being developed from the smaller engined Lodestar.
A Jane's reference I found quoted the Constellation as having massive 15' 6" diameter three blade props.
If you put a pair of these on a Ventura without moving the engines the prop tips would go close to touching.
I suspect smaller blades were used on the Ventellation but still ones long enough that the nose had to shortened.