Lockheed XR6O-1 Constitution Development Story

jzichek · **Joined:** Tue Apr 26, 2011 12:19 am **Posts:** 76

Check out this article on RetroMechanix.com on the Lockheed XR6O-1 Constitution:

Photo Credits: US National Archives II, College Park, MD, RG 72

The accompanying gallery reproduces the "Lockheed Constitution Development Story," a publication from December 1950 summarizing the design and development of the aircraft with numerous detail photos and drawings, including deck plans of an unrealized commercial airliner variant. The brochure was likely part of a marketing effort to a sell a turbine-powered version of the Constitution to the airlines of the day, an effort which ultimately failed, as the aircraft was judged too large and impractical for commercial use.

-Jared Zichek
Editor, RetroMechanix.com

cwmc · **Joined:** Fri Jan 28, 2011 2:43 am **Posts:** 322

My Dad rode in the Constitution when his squadron was moved during the Korean War. I think it was VP-6 to or from Kodiak. Too bad one wasn't saved.
Chris...

b747cf · **Posted:** Wed Dec 28, 2011 5:21 pm

Here it is just before they broke it up. It was on 135 St. Next to the Railroad Tracks. in OpaLocka.

Mark Fidler

Rocketeer · **Joined:** Wed Jan 26, 2011 6:16 pm **Posts:** 195

What year was that photo taken?

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Wed Dec 28, 2011 11:47 pm

howard hughes had a hand in the design of the constitution & was supposed to purchase a quantity for his airline twa.

b747cf · **Posted:** Thu Dec 29, 2011 2:44 am

The Photo was taken in the early 80's.
Mark Fidler

Chappie · **Joined:** Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:40 am **Posts:** 987

It is interesting this should come up now. My sister bought me a 400+ page book about the L88 Corvettes and their racing predecessors. There are several photos taken at the 12 Hours of Sebring. There is one photo taken during the 1963 event those shows a black Z06 coming off the large parking ramp. Centered in the background is a C-82 Packet and on the left side of the photo you can see the front end of a Constitution.

Chappie

Stoney · **Posted:** Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:36 am

I saw it there in 1968 along with a P2V

mike furline · **Joined:** Wed May 05, 2004 3:45 pm **Posts:** 2635

Burbank 1947,

The Inspector · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2011 12:54 am

I see, just an enlargement of the background, a problem with old medium format cameras and 120 film, serious lack of good depth of field, lots of shiny new short nosed CONNIES in that last picture along with a USAF C-54 and the tails of very early P2's (?) under the nose wheel?

RareBear · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2011 4:36 pm

I attended the Sebring 12-hr races in 1965-67, and there were a number of C-82 Packets there. I don't recall seeing the Constitution, but as I remember there were 2-3 Connies there.

Walt

Chappie · **Joined:** Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:40 am **Posts:** 987

RareBear wrote:

I attended the Sebring 12-hr races in 1965-67, and there were a number of C-82 Packets there. I don't recall seeing the Constitution, but as I remember there were 2-3 Connies there.

Walt

Did you take any photos at the races? Those were the big years for the Z06 and Grand Sport Corvettes.

Chappie

The Inspector · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2011 9:29 pm

And COBRAS, GT-40's, COBRA Daytona Coupes, CHAPPARAL 2F------ oh yeah,and CORVETTES

Rick65 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2011 12:15 am

http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/S ... 03-27.html
What a great site and thanks for the OT digressions.

RareBear · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2011 5:08 pm

I did take photos, but they are slides, and I haven't seen them for years.

In Rick65's post, in the background of photo of car #54, is a Lockheed twin, Lodestar or something similar.

Walt

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