Spartan College of Aeronautics, Lockheed Constellation

Only two of these are still airworthy in the entire world. ✈️The Lockheed Constellation, known affectionately as the "Connie," was a groundbreaking propeller driven airliner developed by Lockheed in the 1940s, and it helped shape modern air travel as we know it. During our visit to the SUN 'n FUN, we explored a Lockheed Martin VC-121A nicknamed the "MacArthur Bataan." Built in 1948, it is one of only two airworthy aircraft of its type remaining in the world. Its distinctive paint scheme honors General Douglas MacArthur, who named it "Bataan."We got to step aboard, and that is where the story really comes alive. There is an aft lounge and an interior that mirrors the one MacArthur commanded from. Up front sits the flight engineer's panel with 54 instruments, a reminder of just how much skill it took to keep one of these in the air. Four 18 cylinder radial engines, 144 spark plugs, propellers weighing 740 pounds each. This is a finely tuned piece of machinery, and there is not a straight line on her.The Bataan served in the military, flew during the Berlin Airlift, and worked with NASA. For a generation of Americans, this aircraft is a reminder of how the country moved forward after the war, the flame from the exhaust trailing all the way to the edge of the wing.The Bataan was nearly lost. After years displayed outdoors, the Bataan was acquired by Lewis Air Legends in 2015 and given an eight year restoration that returned her to flight in Chino, California in 2023. She is flying again because people chose to carry her story forward.As our country marks 250 years, the Bataan stands for something at the heart of the American story. The belief that we could build something better, climb a little higher, and carry each other forward. She is still flying because that dream was worth preserving. 🇺🇸 #America250