Originally ordered as a Lockheed L-649-79-21 for T.W.A. but not taken up

Construction completed as a Lockheed L-749-79-35 for Air India - 1947

Accepted by Air India at Burbank - February 13, 1948

Entered onto the Indian Aircraft Register as VT-CQR - February 17, 1948

Arrived at Bombay at conclusion of delivery flight - March 26, 1948

Aircraft was named 'Rajput Princess'

Operated its first Air India revenue service - June 22, 1948

Sold to Qantas Empire Airways Ltd - December 30, 1949

Departed Bombay on delivery flight to Australia - January 11, 1950

Arrived Sydney at conclusion of delivery flight (Capt R.J. Ritchie) - January 17, 1950

Entered onto Australian Aircraft Register as VH-EAE - January 18, 1950

Registered to Qantas Empire Airways Ltd

Aircraft was named 'Bert Hinkler'

Operated its first Qantas revenue service - April 7, 1950

Withdrawn from service in Sydney for repainting into white top red c/line livery - June 26, 1951

Returned to service after repaint - June 30, 1951

Withdrawn from service for conversion to L-749A-79 standard - September 1, 1951

Returned to service - October 22, 1951

Used as a reserve aircraft for the Royal Tour of Australia - March 8 - 27, 1954

Departed Sydney on its final revenue service Sydney-London (Capt R.U. Uren) - August 7, 1954

Sold to B.O.A.C. - August 15, 1954

Aircraft had flown 11,718 hours to date

Departed Sydney on delivery flight to England - August 18, 1954

Arrived London at conclusion of delivery flight - August 20, 1954

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - August 23, 1954

Entered onto the U.K. Aircraft Register as G-ANTG - September 10, 1954

Registered to British Overseas Airways Corporation Ltd

Aircraft was named 'Bournemouth'

Operated its first B.O.A.C. revenue service - November 22, 1954

Operated its first B.O.A.C. service to Sydney - November 26, 1954

Operated the last B.O.A.C. Constellation passenger service - October 7, 1958

Sold to Pacific Northern Airlines

Departed London on delivery flight to U.S.A. - November 30, 1958

Cancelled from U.K. Aircraft Register - December 2, 1958

Entered onto the U.S. Aircraft Register as N1552V

Ownership transferred to Western Airlines - July 1, 1967

Operated the last scheduled Constellation passenger flight in North America - November 26, 1968

Route: Juneau to Anchorage

Withdrawn from service and donated to the City of Kenai, Alaska - November 27, 1968

Aircraft had flown a total of 40,568 hours

In 1973 the aircraft was sold to a private individual who intended to convert the aircraft to a restaurant

It was towed to a nearby parking lot but the project was abandoned

Aircraft was subsequently broken up on site

VH-EAE. Qantas - engineers inspect the prop cuffs to be removed at Sydney Airport, July 1951.

VH-EAE. Qantas - close up view of the 'Coronation Service' titles at Sydney Airport, 1953.