Europe’s only airworthy Lockheed Constellation looks poised to remain a firm fixture at events for many years to come. Bruce Hales-Dutton speaks to the team responsible for keeping this elegant airliner aloft

In its day it was one of the most advanced airliners flying, with its muscular 3,000hp-plus turbo-compound engines, hydraulically boosted flying controls and swoopy, elegant profile.
But 65 years after the type’s first flight there’s only one Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation airworthy in Europe and it needs some extra-special care to keep it flying.