Manufacturer’s Models of the Lockheed Constellation
Written by Jim Striplin
The triple tailed Lockheed Constellation, or “Connie” as it is affectionately referred to by pilots and airline enthusiasts, has been the subject of many excellent models.
The Connie is such a beautiful design, that models of the aircraft are more like “artwork” than just simply models.
The Constellation was designed in the late 1930s, and first flown in January of 1943.
WW II prevented the Connie from going into commercial service. During the War, the Military was interested in the airplane and Lockheed continued to develop the Connie as the C-69 Transport. Only 15 of the C-69s were delivered to the Army Air Corps. A total of 22 C-69s were built. When the war was over, Lockheed began to convert Military C-69s into passenger carrying airliners. This was no small task as the C-69 was a whole different animal from what was to become a commercial Lockheed 049 Constellation. Many problems with the airplane had to be worked out before the airplane was ready for the Airlines. It was Pan American World Airways that first put the Constellation into commercial service on January 3, 1946 on a New York to Bermuda run. This is ironic because Howard Hughes and his airline TWA (Transcontinental and Western Air), had put so much into the design and development of the airplane in its beginning.
LOCKHEED FACTORY CONSTELLATION MODELS
The Lockheed factory itself, built early in-house concept and promotional models at its’ facilities in Burbank CA. These models were big (usually around 1/43rd scale or larger), and made of wood. These models could be found around the plant in engineering and executive offices. After the war the factory model shop got serious about making Constellation models for airline customers. The factory came out with magnificent “polished aluminum” hollow sheet metal models of the 049. Sheet aluminum was pressed into female molds to make halves for the fuselage, and top and bottom pieces for the wings and tail. Beautiful engine cowlings with rivet detail were also fabricated. The propellers were cast metal. The sheet metal parts were skillfully soldered together, the seams were filed and sanded, and then the completed model was buffed out to perfection. Silk screened water slide decals were applied and the models were placed on a heavy cast aluminum stand. These models were made in 1/43rd scale. Most were “in flight-gear up” models, but some had landing gear with rolling wheels! To top that, Lockheed even made huge sheet metal Connies with wing spans well over 40 inches. Eastern Air Lines ordered quite a few of these big models. Most of the huge Lockheed 049 sheet metal models found today are ex-Eastern and have landing gear. Lockheed sheet metal models are a “must have” for serious vintage model collectors. These models are highly prized and demand very high prices.
TWA LOCKHEED FACTORY 1/43RD SCALE 049 SHEET METAL CONSTELLATION. (AUTHOR’S COLLECTION)
Lockheed also commissioned smaller models to promote the Constellation. While the smaller models were not made by Lockheed “in house”, they were still “factory issued”. These smaller models were made in CA by other vendors who did metal casting.
1/72ND SCALE POLISHED SOLID ALUMINUM 049. (AUTHOR’S COLLECTION)
When the Lockheed Super Constellation was introduced in 1951, many model makers worldwide had already been building Connie models. As a result, the Lockheed factory did not build any big metal Super Constellation models. They did however, build resin models of military Super Connies and special protypes. Most of these were in the 1/72nd to 1/60th scale, and they made some desk models that were about 8 or 9 inches long. The Lockheed factory built some resin 1/60th scale 1649 models for TWA. Very few of these were made.
A LOCKHEED ISSUED SMALL METAL 049 CONSTELLATION ON PAPER CLIP HOLDER STAND. (AUTHOR’S COLLECTION)
1649 “STARLINER” THAT ONCE BELONGED TO A TWA ENGINEER IN KANSAS CITY. UPON RETIREMENT, THE ENGINEER WAS PACKING UP HIS OFFICE AND ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED THE MODEL WHILE REMOVING IT FROM A HIGH SHELF. (AUTHOR’S COLLECTION)
It is interesting to note that Sterling Riffe, owner of Riffe Models in Kansas City MO, used a 1/60th scale resin Lockheed factory 1649 model as a foundry pattern to cast the aluminum 1649 models he made for TWA and Air France in the late 50s.
(Riffe models of Kansas City MO will be the subject of a future article)
CONSTELLATION MODELS BY RAISE UP HOLLAND
Raise Up Models of Rotterdam, Holland was perhaps the most prolific of all the aluminum model makers. Raise Up produced thousands of models for the airlines from the 1940s to the mid-1960s. They made gads of Constellations in scales ranging from appx. 1/200 scale to 1/43rd scale. Raise Up Connie models were not always accurate (wings, noses, and tails), but, every now and then they would get it right and turn out a super nice replica.
RAISE UP 1/50TH SCALE TWA SUPER CONNIE WITH TIP TANKS. (AUTHOR’S COLLECTION)
VERY LARGE RAISE UP 1/43RD SCALE TWA SUPER CONNIE WITH POLISHED PROP SPINNERS AND NO TIP TANKS. (AUTHOR’S COLLECTIONS)
RAISE UP 1/50TH SCALE EASTERN AIR LINES SUPER CONNIE ON THE CLASSIC “FALCON STAND”. (AUTHOR’S COLLECTION)
SMALL RAISE UP VOE PELA REAL SUPER CONNIE ON CLOCK STAND. (AUTHOR’S COLLECTION)
SMALL RAISE UP CAPITAL AIRLINES 049 CONNIE. MODEL IS 5 ½ INCHES LONG AND WENT ON AN ASHTRAY STAND. (AUTHOR’S COLLECTION)
CONSTELLATION MODELS BY SCHAARSCHMIDT GERMANY
Schaarschmidt had a close relationship with Deutsch Lufthansa, and Germany’s national Airline was their best customer. Schaarschmidt made Constellation models of the 049, 1049, and the 1649. Most of the models were cast aluminum made in two pieces consisting of a solid fuselage and a separate one-piece wing.
1/100th scale being the most popular. A very unique thing about Schaarschmidt was that, for some reason, they made many models with a solid aluminum fuselage and hollow “sheet metal wings”. The sheet metal wing Connies ranged from very small ones to large ones that were approximately 1/50th scale. Today, finding a Schaarschmidt sheet metal winged Connie without “crushed wings”, is a real challenge. Schaarschmidt had a very recognizable stand that was simple and functional. Like Raise Up, some Schaarschmidt models were very accurate, but, in some cases pattern makers failed to pay close attention to cockpit and tail areas. Schaarschmidt 1/100th scale two-piece solid aluminum models were very clean and well done. The casting patterns were made in such a way that they almost always came out of the sand molds complete and without defects.
SCHAARSHMIDT SOLID ALUMINUM TWO-PIECE SUPER CONNIE BLANK. 1/100TH SCALE. (AUTHOR’S COLLECTION)
LUFTHANSA 1649 CONSTELLATION BY SCHAARSHMIDT. 1/100TH SCALE. (AUTHOR’S COLLECTION)
PETER V. NELSON CONSTELLATION MODELS
Peter V. Nelson models, in England, was another model maker that made many Super Connie and 1649 Connie models in the 1950s. One recognizable feature that all Peter V. Nelson Constellation models had in common was that the front of the engines were always left “flat”. Nelson never “machined out” the engine intakes as did other model makers. Never the less, Peter V. Nelson models are highly sought out by collectors, and bring premium prices today.
PETER V. NELSON 1/72ND SCALE 1649 CONSTELLATION MOUNTED ON TAIL PYLON. THIS MODEL WAS DISPLAYED ALONG WITH A 707 AND A CONVAIR 880 MODEL ON A SLANTED UPRIGHT STAND. THIS IS COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS THE “PETER V. NELSON-TWA 3 PLANE DISPLAY”, OF WHICH THERE ARE ONLY TWO EXAMPLES KNOWN TO EXIST. (AUTHOR’S COLLECTION)
Manufacturer models of the Lockheed Constellation were made by many companies, so numerous, that this article cannot cover them all. Here is a short list of other major makers of “Vintage” Constellation models not covered in this article.
Verkuyl-Holland
Minavia-England
Walkers Westway-England
Mecater-Spain
Voglaar-Brazil
Maquette d’etude et d’Exposition-France
Ed Dickson-USA
Riffe-USA
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Clark Carlen
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hello -I have a constellation model about 9 in long well executed metal model with Lockheed decals. It has cast wheels/gear (wheels rotate). No propellers. Looks like a high end 50s executive display with sumewhat toylike wheels for the kid in all of us. Does anyone recognize this mode??
Regards
Clark
Clark
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Eric J Joiner
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This is an extremely helpful article. I picked up a Schaarschmidt Germany L-1649A Starliner model in Deutsche Flugdiesnt livery today from an estate sale. Gorgeous model that looks nearly identical to the Schaarschmidt model in the images above. Only thing is the dims dont seem to match a 1/100 model. Fuselage on the model I have is 17 inches long. Given the actual length of the starliner, that makes this model I have @1/80 scale?
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James Moore
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I have a beautiful 11″ wingspan polished aluminium model Connie with Ruby red glass and 2 pieces of yellow glass on side of cockpit. It’s very light but very detailed,the spinners do come detached I presume for perspex discs. Would you know what this model is ???
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Bill Sather
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sorry no just polished and on a nice stand.
thanks for asking. Bill
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Shea Oakley
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Is it in the colors of a particular airline, Bill?
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Mike
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A great article. My deceased father flew the constellation for Capital Airlines in the 50’s and my 84year old mom was an air hostess for them as well.
If anyone knows where I can purchase a Connie or other Capital aircraft, please email me.
Thanks,
Mike
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Bill Sather
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i have a large model of a all aluminum connie that is 32inches long by 38 wing span any info would helpful,
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James moore
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Please go to Facebook and find ,, aviation model artifacts page. Tom Sanders is group owner and an awesome source of knowledge on all large aluminium models, I highly recommend the page.
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John Hyle
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I got a Eastern Airlines Constilation desk resin model, any idea where I could get it restored? It’s been a childhood toy in my family for three generations and could use some real work done.
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Shea Oakley
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Hi John,
What part of the country do you live in?
Best,
Shea Oakley
Managing Editor
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Greg Thorne
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Came across this website as I have a Lockheed Constellation in mint condition in original box. Iberia Airlines livery .
Looking to get a value
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Marc Patrick Behar
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Hi would you be kind enough to let me know where could i purchase a metal model what are theirs dimensions in cm (please!) and at what price
thanks
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Anthony Lawler
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Hi Jimbo,
Enjoyed your Connie article.
I think Verkuyl made more metal models than RaiseUp. He bought them when they went bankrupt.
He cleaned up the Super Connie mold and I have a before in LAV that is not great with poor engines and a REAL Brasil that’s great. Lots more comments. Let’s chat. Anthony
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Gabriella
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Hi to every body, it’s my first pay a quick visit of this blog; this web site contains awesome and genuinely excellent material in favor of visitors.
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Shea Oakley
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Thanks so much for your encouragement, Gabriella. We hope you continue to enjoy our material in the future!
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Peter Soltau
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Hi Jim, very nice read on the Connie! Some years ago I acquired a large (30″ span) solid aluminum 1049 model. By your description I suspect it’s a Peter Nelson piece. I have done nothing to restore it, the TWA livery is still barely visible along the fuselage. I’d like some help confirming the manufacturer and any suggestions on whether to leave it alone or have it restored and if so who would do a good job. Any help much appreciated, Peter
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George F. Handel
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Wonderful airplane!
I flew the USN EC-121 based in Newfoundland as an extension of the DEW line, and then many more hundreds of hours based in Rota, Spain for Northern Europe/Mediterranean intelligence gathering.
Spent some months flying from Danang RVN, providing missile warnings.
Total pilot time just under 2000 hours.
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Dave Bowen
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I just saw a “polished aluminum” (my guess) Connie model in an antique shop window in Wenatchee WA. Price was $500. Beautiful model with about a 2′ wingspan (also a guess). On a stand, props and all. Note says they believe it was from Air France. Side numbers were letters only. No other airleine markings. On Wenatchee Ave., right downtown. Just thought I would mention it. Dave Bowen
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Philip Kemp
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Excellent and informative article Jim!
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