FineScale Modeler 01 1999

Lockheed's graceful Constellation shows up on just about everyone's favorite airplane list. With input from TWA's Howard Hughes, Lockheed designed the Constellation in the early days of World War II. A handful were placed in service as military transports, but the Connie came into its own after the war, quickly becoming the reigning queen of international air routes. A longer fuselage, radar, and tip tanks distinguished the Model 1049G, or Super Constellation. Like all the large propliners, the Constellation eventually fell victim to the jet age. Minicraft has answered the pleas of modelers everywhere: an injection-molded Connie in "airliner" scale, 1/144. Once I got past gazing at the graceful fuselage shape, I noticed the lack of surface detail. The only engraved lines were for control surfaces and the doors. Small parts were marred by flash. Tip tanks and a replacement short nose are optional, but the decals tor TWA and Iberia are tor long-nose, tip-tanked versions. Minicrafts eight-step instructions arc clear and include a brief history, markings diagrams, and parts map. The only clear part is tor the windscreen; cabin windows are supplied as decals.

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