PIA Super Constellations Gifted to Indonesia in 1969

[Abbas Ali]

Following three Super Constellations of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) were gifted by Pakistan to Indonesia/Indonesian Air Force in 1969.

1)
Aircraft Type: Lockheed L-1049C Super Constellation
Year Built: 1954
Construction Number: 4521
Registration: AP-AFR
Gifted to Indonesia: 1969
Indonesian Air Force serial number: T-1043
Current Status: Scrapped/broken up in Indonesia in 1970s.

A rare photo of ex-AP-AFR of PIA in Indonesia Air Force markings sporting serial number 'T-1043' can be viewed >>here<<

2)
Aircraft Type: Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation
Year Built: 1958
Construction Number: 4835
Registration: AP-AJY
Gifted to Indonesia: 1969
Indonesian Air Force serial number: T-1042
Current Status: Scrapped/broken up in Indonesia in 1970s.

3)
Aircraft Type: Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation
Year Built: 1958
Construction Number: 4836
Registration: AP-AJZ
Gifted to Indonesia: 1969
Indonesian Air Force serial number: T-1041
Current Status: Scrapped/broken up in Indonesia in 1970s.

[Nasir]

So nice to see this rare picture



Are there more related photographs (either when this equipment was with AP or PK)?

[ConnieMan]

YES, This is indeed a very rare picture of ex-PIA's S Connie in Indonesian AF scheme. I have been looking for more info or traces of these 3 aircrafts for many years but couldn't find anything on them ie: Pictures, color schemes, how long there were in service, when they are retired, preserved or broken up......i can go on n on!.

Thanks Abbas, this picture is truly a treasure to have!

[Abbas Ali]

^ Glad you guys liked it - that photo of ex-PIA Super Connie in Indonesian Air Force markings is indeed very rare.

Are there more related photographs (either when this equipment was with AP or PK)?

I'm posting photos of all five Super Constellations that were operated by PIA including AP-AFR which joined Indonesian Air Force under serial number 'T-1043'.

1)

Lockheed L-1049C Super Constellation (registration AP-AFQ) - PIA's very first aircraft.

Aircraft Type: Lockheed L-1049C Super Constellation
Year Built: 1954
Construction Number: 4520
Registration: AP-AFQ
Fate: Broken up in 1964. Aircraft's fuselage section used for some years at PIA Training Centre, Hotel Midway House, Karachi.

2)

Lockheed L-1049C Super Constellation (registration AP-AFR).

Aircraft Type: Lockheed L-1049C Super Constellation
Year Built: 1954
Construction Number: 4521
Registration: AP-AFR
Gifted to Indonesia: 1969
Indonesian Air Force serial number: T-1043
Current Status: Scrapped/broken up in Indonesia in 1970s.

3)

Lockheed L-1049C Super Constellation (registration AP-AFS).

Aircraft Type: Lockheed L-1049C Super Constellation
Year Built: 1954
Construction Number: 4522
Registration: AP-AFS
Fate: Withdrawn from use in 1967. Broken up at Karachi Airport.

4)

Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation (registration AP-AJY).

Aircraft Type: Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation
Year Built: 1958
Construction Number: 4835
Registration: AP-AJY
Gifted to Indonesia: 1969
Indonesian Air Force serial number: T-1042
Current Status: Scrapped/broken up in Indonesia in 1970s.

5)

Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation (registration AP-AJZ).

Aircraft Type: Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation
Year Built: 1958
Construction Number: 4836
Registration: AP-AJZ
Gifted to Indonesia: 1969
Indonesian Air Force serial number: T-1041
Current Status: Scrapped/broken up in Indonesia in 1970s.

PIA's first three Super Constellations AP-AFQ, AP-AFR and AP-AFS were delivered with shorter nose cone as seen in AP-AFQ and AP-AFR photos posted here. Later, these three Super Constellations (AP-AFQ, AP-AJR & AP-AFS) recieved longer nose cone like their younger sisterships AP-AJY and AP-AJZ. I believe this change in nose cone was related to upgradation of weather radar/avionics of these three first Super Constellations of PIA. Photo of AP-AFS posted here shows the aircraft with longer nose cone.

Here, I would like to add that Lebanese Air Transport (LAT) had shown interest in acquiring AP-AFR and AP-AFS phased-out from PIA fleet in late 1960s. There's a photo of AP-AFR or AP-AFS at Karachi Airport in hybrid livery i.e. the aircraft is in basic PIA livery with Lebanese Air Transport (LAT) titles on fuselage and LAT logo on fin. But somehow this deal between PIA and LAT did not materialise and the aircraft stayed with PIA at that time.

Abbas

[Vaqar Khan]

Came across this photograph of AP-AJZ at London Heathrow in 1966 (Seems like undergoing maintenance)