The prototype Super Constellation with the big dorsal and ventral radomes of the US Navy’s WV-2 early-warning variant, pictured over California.

Another view of "Old 1961" fitted with two 600gal wingtip tanks, standard equipment for production Super Constellations.
SUPER CONSTELLATION 1049G. Ordered by American and foreign airlines. by the U.S.A.F. (C-121B). and U.S. Navy (R7V-1), the Super Constellation 1049G embodies structural modifications compared with earlier variants to allow for increased all-up weight and payload . Turbo-compound engines are used, and the air freighter version of the type is known as the 1049H.
Salient features : A step in the inevitable air liner stretch process, the 1049G differs little from the earlier 1049 Constellation, except in the mounting of tip-tanks. A low-wing monoplane. the 1049G has a long tadpole-shaped fuselage with stepped cockpit and marked upsweep underneath towards the tail. Windows are square, with main access doors on the port side. The wing has straight taper on the leading and curved taper on the trailing edge. Wingtips are pointed and dihedral stems from the roots. Circular-section engine nacelles are underslung. Tail assembly consists of a central fin and two inset fins at dle tips of the high aspect-ratio tailplane . Mainwheel legs retract into the inner nacelles, and the nosewheel folds backwards.

Lockheed engineers watch the running of the ’DA-1 Turbo Compound in the No 1 position of the prototype "Old 1961".

“Old 1961” with a 3,750 e.h.p. Allison YT-56 turboprop in the No 4 position, and a ’DA I Turbo Compound in the No 1 position.

Constellation prototype “Old 1961”, now registered N67900, pictured in 1952 fitted with two 600 US gal tip-tanks in anticipation of eventual conversion to turboprop power and consequently increased fuel consumption.

Another early photograph of “Old 1961” shortly after conversion to the Super Constellation prototype.

The Super Constellation: "Old 1961" in flight.

"Old 1961"as the Super Constellation prototype NX6700 with TWA Model 749A-79-52 N6014C Star of Delaware in the background for comparison.