Lockheed EC-121 Constellation (VH-EAG)

Originally built by Lockheed as a C-121C (c/n 4176) for the United States Air Force in 1955 - serial number 54-0157 and served until its relegation to storage at Tucson, Arizona in 1977.
Considered obsolete and of no further use, storage maintenance ceased in 1981 and as a result was designated of scrap value only. Most of the engine accessories and instruments had been cannibalised and failure to re-seal the aircraft after an inspection permitted access to legions of birds to nest and foul the interior over many years.
In 1990 some HAR Society members were in Tucson collecting Neptune spares and saw this derelict Super Constellationand the thought occurred that it should be recovered to complete Australia’s aviation history and negotiations commenced for its acquisition.
In 1991, HARS started what was to become a major project when 'Connie' was restored and delivered to Australia relying solely on volunteer labour and in 1994 the Super Constellation took to the air after nearly eighteen years on the ground arriving in Australia in 1996 after extensive planning and preparation.

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