Lockheed EC-121 Constellation —

Long Live Eastern Airlines!

Another great historic shot Gary. It's amazing to me how close you were able to get to the planes back in the "old days". Me being only 5 years old when 9/11 happened, I have only heard stories from my dad about how easy security used to be and how close people were able to get to the planes. Anyway, a full 5 here and I look forward to seeing your next posts :)

To Warmwynds >> Oh, how I second your comment! I've sorely missed seeing Eastern in the skies, and now that the airline has been reborn, I check each and every day in hopes that N276EA or N277EA will pay a visit to RNO. I know it is a "long shot hope," but perhaps it will happen that one of them will come here. As you said, "Long Live Eastern Airlines!" (Two thumbs up)

Mark, back in the days when I was taking these shots, it was much more relaxed at airports. This photo was taken at Boston, and I was only there for the day so I didn't know any EAL personnel there; thus, I could not just walk out and sit on this Connie. But back in Buffalo, I knew everyone on the EAL and AAL staff. They called me the "kid with the camera." lol If this a/c had landed at Buffalo, I would have waited for it to be empty of pax, and then I'd have waved to the gal at the boarding gate and I would have gone out, climbed aboard, and taken photos of everything. The people in Eastern's Buffalo operation (and also American's and Mohawk's) were the greatest! Only the folks at UAL were less-than-friendly. And .... it was also no problem to go sit at the very end of the runways (I mean right next to the end or the edge) to snap pics. No one was worried about a 15 year old kid with a camera by the runway back then; they just waved and drove on. There weren't even any fences. But those days are forever gone now.

he he , beautiful photo, Gary - unfortunately never see the original -
interesting airplane , would like to hear motors -

Thanks, Gary. Another really nice photo!

Another great classic, Gary!

Love the stairs on the back of the pick-up! No one in the photo probably gave a second thought as to what aircraft they were on, now 47 years later you have to go and search them out for they are few and far between! This is a great shot Gary, if the others are like this we're in for a real treat!

Thanks for sharing Gary-5*. Classic picture-

outstanding. love the nostalgic look back . 5 stars is not enough !!

Hey, John, howdy! TYVM for the compliment, and I'm pleased you enjoyed seeing it. Logan sure has changed quite a bit since I clicked this. I think Darryl S is also from the Boston area and I've seen that he also posts snaps "from the past" so I hope he had a chance to see this one, too. Have a wonderful holiday, John.
Mark T. I can't help but smile every time I look back at these scenes. The stairs on the truck remind me that it was right during this time frame that airports around the country were installing a really new "convenience" ... called a "jet bridge." Passengers at the larger airports (that had j/bridges installed) were dazzled by the fact that they could actually board a flight withOUT having to be exposed to the weather. And now, today, there are airports that have THREE bridges just for boarding ONE 'Bus. What a difference 50 years can make, eh? lol
Davesheehy, Hey, Hi to you too. It's been awhile; glad to hear from you. Much Thanks to you for the compli. And correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't you living somewhere near the Beantown area? I'll probably never get to see any of the "new Eastern" fleetbirds, but you (and John and Darryl) will see them. Great to see the EAL colors back in the skies over New England, eh? Merry Christmas and Happy New Years, Dave. :-)
Mathias, I think Breitling flies a Constellation. Maybe you will get to see it someday, and I hope you do because (in my humble opinion) the Connies were the most regal-looking passengers propliners to ever fly the skies. (Thumbs Up)

Gary, I doubt as I've ever seen an aircraft as graceful and well proportioned as the Connie. This one is pure art if viewed in the context of aesthetics and three dimensional design.

I'm still admiring this photo taken back in 1968... and marveling at what it reveals from that slice of time. Yes, the truck mounted "air stairs" brings back memories for me. It's nice seeing the older Eastern ground support vehicles on the ramp too.

Looks like an International Scout starboard of the Connie's nose... an original version of Ford's Econoline "window" van on the port side... and those "air stairs" are mounted on a Dodge "D" series pickup truck!

Cliff ... (Big Huge Grin) The only one of the vehicles I recognized / knew was the Econoline. (Back in my "youthful" HS years, my buddy had a windowless Econoline; served several purposes .... Waaaay big huge grin.)
Re: the Connie ... Before it was bought and absorbed by UA, Capital Airlines had Connies and I would see them flying over my house whenever inbounds were landing on KBUF's runway 14 (which, unfortunately for me, was not very often). They looked so "perfect" in the air. And on the ground, they looked "stately." And noisy! Man O Man; they were noisy! They were WONDERFULLY, FABULOUSLY noisy!!
I have a bumper sticker in my car. It says, "I Love Airplane Noise!" And I sure do. Always have; always will! ;-)

Gary-yes I still live in the BOS area, but no longer employed at KBOS. I now rely on the generosity and skills of John Marotta to revisit the ramp at Logan. Thanks John! While I am here-thanks to all the great airplane photographers here on FA and Happy Holidays to all of you...peace!

Gary, just put a few Connie's on my page, more prop liners to come soon

Wow - great capture of this beautiful aircraft in the "old days" at Logan! Great shot!

Hi, Darryl, and TYVM for the comment. Your oldies pics are always excellent to view, too. Please keep them coming. (PS >> I've been working on another couple of snaps taken at Logan. I'll get one up soon.)

That Connie probably did NOT have autopilot. Eddie Rickenbacker was FIRMLY AGAINST it. Great 10 star pic!