Lockheed Super Constellation L-1049

Air-India took delivery of it's first two Lockheed Super Constellation L-1049C airplanes in June & July 1954.

6 June 1954, VT-DGL Empress Nurjehan (Later renamed as Rani of Jhansi). c/n 4547. Sold to the Indian Air Force.
30 July 1954, VT-DGM Rani of Ind. c/n 4548. Sold to the Indian Air Force.

Later three Super Constellations L-1049E were purchased: .

VT-DHL Rani of Ajanta.
VT-DHM Rani of Ellora. c/n 4614. Sold to the Indian Air Force on 30 October 1961.
VT-DHN Rani of Chittor. Sold to the Indian Air Force, 20 March 1955,

Air-India International added another five Super Constellations L-1049G, before finally moving on to the Boeing 707s, in 1960.

11 June 1956, VT-DIL Rani of Nilgiris. Sold to the Indian Air Force.
VT-DIM Rani of Ayodhya, Sold to the Indian Air Force.
VT-DIN Rani of Agra. Caught Fire in Bombay 19 July 1959.
VT-DJW Rani of Bijapur. Converted to a freighter 4 May 1960.
VT-DJX Rani of Madurai. Converted to a freighter 22 July 1960.

**VT-DGL Empress Nurjehan (Later renamed as Rani of Jhansi)**

Air-India's first Lockheed Super Constellation L-1049 (VT-DGL) Empress Nurjehan, later renamed Rani of Jhansi.
Acquired on 6 June 1954

Air-India's Lockheed Super Constellation L-1049 VT-DGL Empress Nurjehan, later renamed Rani of Jhansi.

Air-India's Lockheed Super Constellation L-1049 (VT-DGL) Empress Nurjehan later renamed Rani of Jhansi.

NIC
Air-India's Lockheed Super Constellation L-1049, VT-DGL Empress Nurjehan later renamed Rani of Jhansi.
(Image Courtesy: Riya Bose)

Air-India Super Constellation L-1049 powered by 4 Wright Cyclone air-cooled radial engine and has a cruising speed of 260/290 m.p.h. at an altitude of between 10,000 and 20,000 feet. Length 95 ft. 3 ins; wing span 123 ft.

VT-DGM Rani of Ind

Air-India's second Lockheed Super Constellation L-1049 (VT-DGM) Rani of Ind.
Acquired on 30 July 1954
Photograph taken at Bombay Airport shows the graceful Super Constellation with the crew that brought her to India on the maiden voyage. There is a fair amount of discussion on the internet as to whether Air-India actually named an airplane Rani of Ind, but I guess this picture puts the matter at rest.

Air-India's Lockheed Super Constellation L-1049 (VT-DGM) Rani of Ind at Paya Lebar Air Base in Singapore.

VT-DGM (c/n 4548) Rani of Ind seen in the mid-1950s. Looks like this picture was taken at Hong Kong's Kai Tak airport.

VT-DGM OR VT-DGL Rani of Ind or Emperor Nurjehan

Air-India VT-DGM OR VT-DGL Rani of Ind or Emperor Nurjehan

VT-DHL Rani of Ajanta

VT-DHL - L-1049E, Rani of Ajanta

VT-DHN Rani of Chittor

Air-India Lockheed Super Constellation L-1049 VT-DHN Rani of Chittor

VT-DHM Rani of Ellora

VT-DHM Rani of Ellora (c/n 4614) seen at Tokyo airport.

VT-DHM Rani of Ellora was sold to the Indian Air Force on 30 October 1961, and was registered as BG 575. It then passed on to the Indian Navy in 1976, and then retired in May 1983. Now stationed at the Naval Aviation Museum, Dabolim, Goa.