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Super
Constellation N11SR (formerly VH-EAB) at Ahmad Al Jaber Airbase, Kuwait
in February 2006. This is a closeup of the Linea Aeropostal Venezolana
(LAV) emblem on the starboard tip tank. Why LAV Tip Tanks? Given
that N11SR never served with Linea
Aeropostal Venezolana (LAV), readers might be surprised that the aeroplane
ended her days in the Kuwait desert wearing at least one LAV tip tank.
As L-1049Gs could be operated with or without tip tanks, it was common
for the tanks to be moved around a fleet as required. The history
of N11SR shows that the aircraft was not wearing tip tanks when it
was acquired by Lanzair. Towards the end of 1975, Duncan Baker visited
California Airmotive in the United States to purchase various parts
for N11SR. Included amongst his purchases was a pair of tip tanks
which were reputed to have come from N9723C (msn 4680, the former
VH-EAP). During 1971, this latter aeroplane was prepared for air racing
by California Airmotive. For its abortive air racing career and its
subsequent movie career, N9723C wore a pair of tip tanks which were
painted in the Qantas style, although the colours were apparently
orange and white. In the late sixties, California Airmotive acquired
many surplus Connies which were subsequently parted out and scrapped.
Included amongst these aircraft were four former LAV Super Connies
(msn 4562, 4572, 4576 & 4577). Therefore, it seems likely that
when California Airmotive decided to fit tip tanks to N9723C they
would have had a stock of several former LAV tip tanks from which
to draw and that the tanks fitted to N9723C included at least one
LAV tank which had been over-painted white and orange without stripping
the LAV markings. When N9723C was scrapped, its tip tanks reputedly
went to Duncan Baker for fitment to N11SR. Even while N11SR was still
in service with Lanzair, the LAV markings on the starboard tip tank
were beginning to emerge as paint faded and flaked off. |
THE LOCKHEED FILE
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