Restoration First Flight 

There are few things more beautiful than an airborne Connie. You all have done a great service in bringing this important example back into its domain.

What a proud day. That aircraft has so much history. Thank you, Rod Lewis and Steve Hinton and all the people that helped in this restoration.

One of the most beautiful aircraft ever.

The most beautiful propeller driven airliner ever made. 👍

Two of the most beautiful pieces of machinery ever built...the Connie and the Mustang. Nothing like watching a big radial cough, belch flame and come to life. My Dad was a USAF heavy mechanic, qualified on 3350's and 4360's for many years.

It would be a joy to see this aircraft and the restored Qantas Connie flying side by side.

For reference, I am now 69 years old. When I was entering the 6th grade in elementary school, my parents bought a new house, just 3 miles from CVG, the (now) Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky International Airport, in Boone County, Kentucky. These were the first days of commercial jet travel, but many prop driven aircraft were still in service. The most prominent of them was the Lockheed Constellation. Even from 3 miles off, when a Connie was being fired up, there was no mistaking which type of plane it was. What a sound, totally unique! No air conditioning in those days, so our windows were always open from spring until fall, and I could hear every large plane taking off. There was a special viewing area across the road from the airport. My Dad would take us there on Saturday afternoons to watch the planes, and I was such a wingnut then. I often wonder when the last Connie took off from that airfield.

Too see a connie so pristine and beautiful just makes me so emotional. Well done all.

What a beautiful bird! It’s still as impressive as anything out there today. Thanks to everyone who helped restore her 👍

A very beautiful airplane. Glad she has taken to the skies once more.

I think the Constellation may well be the most beautiful airplane ever to fly. No other plane has those elegant lines. Excellent restoration!

What a magnificent example of craftsmanship. She is a true work of art. So beautiful and elegant.

My first plane to ever fly on was a TWA Connie in the early 60's. I can remember to this day those roaring engines and the beautiful curves of that lovely plane. what a sight to behold. Nice job guys.

I live in Corona a few short minutes south of Chino airport where this was restored and I've been ecstatic seeing her fly over my house several times in the last few days.

Magnificent! Thanks to all concerned who had a hand in restoring this bird; to the Planes of Fame who purchased this historic aircraft a VERY long time ago and preserved it, to Fighter Rebuilders who took on the enormous task at restoring the aircraft after the ferry flight and to lastly to Rod Lewis who bit the bullet and funded it. Looks fantastic in the air and will be a sight to see at Oshkosh 2023!

She didn't even rotate. She just lifted straight off the ground. And hardly any flair on landing. Outstanding aircraft. Thank you all for doing this.

A very majestic airplane. Nothing beats flying history. Fantastic work. Excellent video.

In mid 1960's I flew 1st Class from Amarillo via Albuquerque enroute back home to San Diego. The beautiful TWA was in her last days, and it seemed a bit small after 707's. In Albuquerque, a show streamed from TV's on the still recent assassination of JFK, but someone informed me the pilot needed me back on board so he get out of there before approaching thunderstorms. I knew this flight would be special, so I tried to soak up everything I could sense or feel. In the evening departure from Albuquerque, the pinnacle piston airliners climbed through the darkening clouds & storms with ease as the four engines blew small blue flames from its exhaust. .

My 1st flight was on one just like this with tip tanks August 1959 . Still? The most beautiful plane ever created by man!

Congrats to your entire team. That Connie is now the most beautiful aircraft flying today. Lockheed really had some great designers back in those days.

What a beauty! More good news for Lewis Air Legends: On June 26 2023, we finished testing and tuning your Orenda turbojet #2920 for your Sabre, and it runs perfectly.

So beautiful! I remember polishing our DC 3 to that level of shine, hours and hours of work just on the restoration of the metal, great job from one polisher to another!

Twenty five or so years ago I saw the gorgeous MATS Connie when she visited the UK. Beautiful, beautiful aeroplane. The only time I've seen a Constellation in flight. This stunning aircraft brings back memories! Incredible job.....words fail.

What a gorgeous aircraft and such a beautiful restoration. I remember as a small boy in 1958 being taken to Dublin Airport to meet my aunt returning from abroad and watching an Aer Lingus constellation take off for New York. I am 70 years old now but that wonderful memory is still fresh, all the more so for watching this excellent video.

Had the honor once meeting Mr. Steve Hinton at Courtesy Aircraft. Awesome man & terrific pilot

What a beautiful aircraft. Congrats to everyone who worked hard to make her fly. My mom was lucky enough as a little girl to ride from london to new york on a constellation.

I am from Uruguay, 84. I do remember flying in a Constellation MVD/ BUE back in 1964, and in a SuperGConstellation LON/ PAR in 1961. What a roomy cabin it was, even in Tourist Class! And I saw one SuperH at Rome's Fiumicino airport with wing-tip tanks, also in 1961 (TWA's). Congrats to the gentlemen who brought this aircraft back to life.

Good grief that's jaw-droppingly beautiful. I can't even begin to imagine the amount of work that went into that. Amazing how it somehow still looks "futuristic" even today. Just amazing. Thank you.

I was a young USAF Medic in the Azores when the Tennesee Air National Guard came through on one of their monthly maneuvers on their way to the Canary Islands in 1969 flying a Lockheed Constellation. They were offering first come seats for a three day weekend in Tenerife and I and a buddy grabbed a couple. It was a beautiful trip of a lifetime to an island paradise on what I thought at the time was an old clunker of a bygone era when it was the jet age and the USAF was flying C-141s everywhere. In hindsight, I now see that the trip was even better knowing that I flew on such an historic and gorgeous aircraft.

If they held a beauty contest for vintage aircraft this babe would take home the prize with many others not far behind!

Fantastic! Another airworthy piece of history.👍

When I see this beauty fly at AirVenture next month, it will be a childhood dream come true! I am getting chills and teary-eyed just thinking about it and watching this video. I am so grateful for the opportunity. 😀

A plane like that makes her own beautiful music. And hello to Steve Hinton.

I live 5 minutes drive from a fully restored Connie here in Australia…she’s beautiful ❤

So glad to see the restoration of this magnificent machine, which has to be the most beautiful airliner ever built! I did two skydives out of a Super Constellation back in 1995, so there will always be a place in my heart for the Connie.

What a beautiful aircraft. I didn't realise I was a Constellation fan until I saw this video!

Absolutely gorgeous!! Congratulations to the team who made this possible, and for the vision to see it through!

Brings back memories. As a 9 year old I flew on a MATS flight on a Connie from Charleston SC. to Albrook AFB. Panama. All the seats faced the rear.

Gorgeous. The world needed this beautiful bird back in the skies. Thank you for making it happen. I hope to see it in person soon.

Live on the approach end into Chino Airport. Was absolutely stunned to see a Constellation fly over my house. Beautiful plane.

My dad loved the Constellation. He said it was the best plane ever built. Retired F/E ADRC US Navy MATS 1941-1966

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. What a beautiful aeroplane, and what a magnificent achievement!

Two greats! The Connie and the Mustang flying chase. Well done!!!

Still one of the most beautiful airframes ever. Thank you to all who had a hand in restoring this important piece of aviation history.

I miss working on those Super Connie's so much. 552 AEW&C wing McClellan AFB California. Reciprocating Engine Specialist. 43251 SSgt Chamberlain. Hats off to all who brought her back to Life. Cheers

There is nothing in the sky more beautiful than a polished Connie.

The 747 may be the 'modern' queen of the skies, but the Constellation reigned for many years before it. What a fantastic restoration! Congratulations, and 'thank you' to everyone involved with this beautiful bird!

What an achievement! Job well done is sounding so small against all the works needed to get her back where she belongs. You can be proud of your accomplishments and enjoy flying 🎉

Flew in a TWA Connie from Panama to Miami in the late 50s with my family as a child. The most gorgeous aircraft ever and the pinnacle of reciprocating engine tech. Congrats on the flawless resto on this craft.

The sound of the engines is an attitude, the plane itself is a declaration of beauty.

My Father served under MacArthur in the 67th Troop carrier squadron, he and his crew were often selected to ferry the Generals equipment and possesions all over the Pacific theatre during the war.

...a fabulous restoration of one of the most beautiful airliners ever built...❤ ...Congratulations to all who were involved...! 👍👍👍

Saw this bird sitting in a fenced lot on Ft Rucker years ago, she looked like hell, The Army stuck it in a corner to let it rot! Thank you for saving this beautiful bird!

I've spent over 50+ years working all aspects of aviation and the Connie is still the most beautiful aircraft designed, tall, sleek with slender lines, perfect.

So good to see her fly. Amazing job. Thank you

Wow. Incredible! What a gift to all the airplane nuts in the world today. Thank you Mr. Lewis and all the great talented people that made this happen!

Truly a work of art thanks to the hard work put in by such a dedicated team to restore it 🫡🇬🇮#respect

It’s good to see the old constellation girl flying again after 8 years of restoration congratulations to all team for all amazing hard work. from UK 🇬🇧👍🏻

Congrats job well done many years of flying on Connie & MacArthurs personal plane maiden flight after yrs of restoration. I volunteered at POF Chino when this plane was ferried in from POF Valle Az.

I still recall flying back to the USA from Lajes Field (Azores) in a C-121 in 1959 - 8 years old, and I loved it!

Hall and Kelly would be proud of this amazing restoration of their AC design.

What a beautiful airplane. I remember seeing “Connies” in the mid 1950’s when I was 5 years old on a trip to New York and we visited the airport. One of the prettiest ever.

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PLANE. A PIECE OF AMERICAN HISTORY AND A COMPLIMENT TO ALL WHO CREATED IT AND THE PILOTS THAT FLEW THEM.

Absolutely beautiful airplane and top notch restoration! Thanks so very much for sharing this with us!

Two of the most beautiful birds, the Connie and the Mustang together.

One of the few planes that is so identifiable the super connie from any angle. What is shining example . Incredible restoration. 💯🇺🇸

Absolutely Awesome!! I flew on a Connie when I was little with my Mother and little brother to Philadelphia. Such a great airplane. Thank You! What a beautiful restoration. 😊

Possibly the most beautiful aircraft ever built

I just ❤ to see these old birds fly again. . . A military Vet. 😄 🇺🇲

Truly a beautiful airplane. Thanks to everyone involved in restoring her.

Wow. I saw this bird overfly my house near March with the P-51 in tow back on the 4th! The Connie is one of the most beautiful aircraft ever designed and this is an incredible restoration. The sound of those engines is incomparable.

The most beautiful aircraft of the US history and.. in the world!

Well done! My Dad used to fly the "Connie" when he was in the Navy. Now I see why he loved that aircraft so much. That is a sight to behold!

What a magnificent and beautiful Lady....I am 70 and all my life I always had a Love of these Connie's....just superb...I would love to take a hop in one before I go to the great truck stop in the sky

I got emotional just watching the video. It means so much to America and it's aviation history. Great job! God bless!

That's absolutely beautiful! You would think that with all the negativity occurring presently, national MSM could document and publicize this event to bolster a sense of pride in the historic accomplishments of our great nation. Great work on the Connie, and thanks to all.

Such a beautiful aircraft. The Connie is the pinnacle of airborne elegance...

Flew across the Atlantic in one of those in the early 50s, never forgot it. Thanks for saving the Connie.

She's a real beauty. Kudos to those who put her back together. Well Done!!

Connie, the beautiful lady of the sky. None so beautiful ever since.

Boy it"s great we have Steve Hinton to officiate on all these great restorations.. Was there in Reno 1979 when he was in the crash of the RED BARON.. Great video and such an AWESOME Aircraft.. Congrats to all who worked to put her back in the AIR, and ALL who will work to keep her there!!

Thank you to those who made this possible. Tears in my eyes.

I recently watched a video with Kermit Weeks visiting this ongoing restoration with Steve Hinton . Fantastic to see this Aircraft fly and Lockheed should be proud of such a beautiful design! There are many nice looking Aircraft, then there are a few beautiful looking Aircraft and the constellation is such!

...a gorgeous, classic prop airliner...my late brother, Tim, came over from Ireland when he was 2 1/2 years old on one of these (Air Lingus)...I remember going to Idlewild Airport with mom & dad to pick him up in November 1954 - they kept me home from kindergarten that day so I could see him become my new brother - I remember dad carrying him on his shoulder to our car (a 1951- or '52 Dodge Coronet) almost 70 years ago...

The most magnificent airplane ever produced in aviation’s history. Its design and beautiful lithe silhouette bespeaks American ingenuity that dominates aviation and all technology fields in the world.

Truly a aircraft of beauty and grace. I Salute all those responsible for her rebuild.... may God bless you.

Remember seeing these fly at airshows when I was a kid. Lockheed was a truly amazing company. Nothing like the sound of a radial engine.

That flight engineer's panel is the definitive example of the absolute minimum of what is needed to operate a bare-bones, stripped down Connie. Good work.

This is what it's all about. A beautiful Connie comes back to life. She looks so precious, and sounds like she was flying during the good "old" days. She really is a beautiful looking airplane right now. I wonder if they have rides available that you can buy just to get a feel and experience a flight on this beauty. They've done such a wonderful job getting her to look so shiny, and to make her fly like she did before. Excellent job boys!!!!

For me, there are few things that will bring tears to my eyes and goosebumps to my arms. One of them is a large four engine radial aircraft. One of the best was the constellation.

One of the most beautiful aircraft ever built - I was a boy in Bermuda in the 1950s and used to love watching the Connies start up, flames leaping from the exhaust, or taxying in, the long raked nosewheel seeming to leave the ground at times as the Connie made her way to park up.

To me, this is the most elegant aircraft to ever fly.

That is one of the most beautiful, flying machines ever made I would love to go on one of those I’ve loved aviation all my life

God bless, those were beautiful planes...glad to see another one in the air. Never get enough of the sound of those engines...

I get chills seeing this. Wonderful day, and a wonderful job.

OUTSTANDING!! Such a beautiful plane!

Probably the most beautiful aircraft to ever fly ...

Am lucky enough to live here in Australia near HARS so from time to time I get to see one of these beautiful ladies fly. Has to be one of the most gorgeous and graceful aircraft ever built.

It's so great to bring the "Glory Days" back with this beauty. I think this may be the only restored C-121 "Connie". What a beautiful airplane!! You've done such a wonderful job getting her to look so nice. I just love it!!

Wow! What a beauty! Congratulations to the whole team. I look forward to seeing her in Oshkosh. I have many happy memories of flying TWA Connies out of Kansas City in my youth (my dad worked for TWA and we had passes). It's great to see another Connie take to the air.