Beste lezers,
Eind jaren '40 nam ook het vrachtvervoer snel toe en op de Constellations was er naast de bagage soms onvoldoende ruimte voor het vrachtaanbod.
Daar is uiteindelijk een slimme oplossing voor bedacht: het Speedpak.
Dit was een aerodynamisch gevormde bak die onder het vliegtuig bevestigd kon worden en waarin een behoorlijke hoeveelheid vracht kon worden vervoerd.
In de Wolkenridder is daar destijds een interessant artikel over verschenen:
Hieronder een aantal fraaie opnamen van het Speedpak en de bevestiging ervan onder het vliegtuig.
[Foto's: KLM]
Een hele mooie oplossing waar de KLM dankbaar gebruik van heeft gemaakt.
Overigens kon dit Speedpak niet op de Super Constellations worden gemonteerd.
Speedpak op de Constellations.
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- Site Admin
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- Lid geworden op: 09-04-2008 08:01
Re: Speedpak op de Constellations.
Nog gevonden op internet:
The Speedpack could be termed a modest success with 75 units being built by Lockheed. The 649 Constellation was the first model to carry the external freight container on scheduled airline service. It was developed by Lockheed engineers at the request of Eastern Air Lines and first tested on L049 Constellation c/n 1979. The Speedpack was 33ft 4in long, 7ft wide and 3ft deep and weighed 1,836 pounds empty. The payload was 395 cu ft and up to 8,200 lbs of cargo in seven compartments. A built-in electric hoist lowered the Speedpack to the ground for loading or unloading. For ease of movement on the ground, two semi-recessed wheels were mounted underneath each end of the Speedpack. Cruise speed was reduced by only 10 mph and range by 4%. Eastern and KLM ordered 14 and 7 units respectively in late 1946 and TWA, Air France and Qantas also ordered units. The four Speedpack attachment points were included on L049 Constellations c/n 2076 onward and on all L649 and L749 Constellations.
Met vriendelijke groeten,
Ronald Dijkstra
The Speedpack could be termed a modest success with 75 units being built by Lockheed. The 649 Constellation was the first model to carry the external freight container on scheduled airline service. It was developed by Lockheed engineers at the request of Eastern Air Lines and first tested on L049 Constellation c/n 1979. The Speedpack was 33ft 4in long, 7ft wide and 3ft deep and weighed 1,836 pounds empty. The payload was 395 cu ft and up to 8,200 lbs of cargo in seven compartments. A built-in electric hoist lowered the Speedpack to the ground for loading or unloading. For ease of movement on the ground, two semi-recessed wheels were mounted underneath each end of the Speedpack. Cruise speed was reduced by only 10 mph and range by 4%. Eastern and KLM ordered 14 and 7 units respectively in late 1946 and TWA, Air France and Qantas also ordered units. The four Speedpack attachment points were included on L049 Constellations c/n 2076 onward and on all L649 and L749 Constellations.
Met vriendelijke groeten,
Ronald Dijkstra
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- Site Admin
- Berichten: 292
- Lid geworden op: 02-03-2008 14:56