I grew up near San Antonio and my Dad had a ‘47 Packard Super Clipper. Dee Howard had the same model Packard and had done what today would be called a“restomod” to his: modern engine and chassis, disc brakes all around, a/c, reliable electrical. Anyway both men, being in aerospace, knew each other and eventually got to talking Packards. I rode out to the big orange hangar at San Antonio International with my dad a number of times so he and Mr.Howard could talk cars, planes, and the S.A. business situation. There were a few of these Lockheed “Learjet of the 50s” here and there, and what a beast these aircraft are up-close. They’re built like a clawfoot tub. Structure so massive you wonder how the thing can fly. That question was quickly answered when you saw all those beautiful finned jugs under the cowling, or heard the song of the big radials. These lead sleds herald from the day before bean counters controlled most corporate flight departments. I’m glad I was lucky enough to have seen and heard what I did hanging around airports when I was kid.
A textile company had a Lodestar based on 3000' - no more, no less, no overrun area at either end of KAKH in 1965 - those Wright Cyclones always caught your ear immediately when he(the pilot, ex-military) called entering the pattern, that thing sounded like a dozen Greyhound buses a mile out on final- and he had all he could stand getting it stopped.
Thank you for the video. I noticed that this plane along with some of the smaller planes had a wheel on the back instead of a wheel under the nose. Is that because the larger planes nose drops down upon landing?
NICE. That is a labor of love right there. Looked like #1 didn't want to catch a few times-but the folks up front managed to coax her to life. Lordy ya wouldn't want the gas bill on THAT now ! Wonder what kind of manifold pressure they can pull with only 100LL ?
@@stevenrobinson2381 That is a Venture (originally) You're thinking of the Neptune, a later (completely different) patrol aircraft which has Wright 3350's (and jet engines on some later models)
@@andrewalexander9492 no-Lockheed built a Ventura with R-3350's as a prototype-wags called it "sweater girl" because the engines protruded so far forward. That's what I was thinking of................ Kind like Dagmars.
White smoke (normal), no black smoke , chuffing or flames on startup like one might get if flooded. Maybe an idle stop or mixture control that's out of adjustment?
In the 1960's my family owned, and I flew on many times, the only Howard Super Harpoon ever made.
I grew up near San Antonio and my Dad had a ‘47 Packard Super Clipper. Dee Howard had the same model Packard and had done what today would be called a“restomod” to his: modern engine and chassis, disc brakes all around, a/c, reliable electrical. Anyway both men, being in aerospace, knew each other and eventually got to talking Packards.
I rode out to the big orange hangar at San Antonio International with my dad a number of times so he and Mr.Howard could talk cars, planes, and the S.A. business situation. There were a few of these Lockheed “Learjet of the 50s” here and there, and what a beast these aircraft are up-close. They’re built like a clawfoot tub. Structure so massive you wonder how the thing can fly. That question was quickly answered when you saw all those beautiful finned jugs under the cowling, or heard the song of the big radials. These lead sleds herald from the day before bean counters controlled most corporate flight departments. I’m glad I was lucky enough to have seen and heard what I did hanging around airports when I was kid.
This again reminded me, that we don't hardly ever hear large piston engines, and I miss them - I grew up to the sound of run away turbo compounds!
Precisely why I kept all the idling in the video. I made as little cuts to the video as possible.
Now that's what you call a sexy airplane!
My thought too
Gorgeous airplane. 👍👍👍
Beautiful airplane! I wanted a tour before the engines started!
Dee Howard was a visionary. His company made superb thrust reversers, too.
Gorgeous classic lines - stunning.
Love the sound of R2800s starting up.
Excellent camera work!
Thank you!
Good video
Incredible machine.
3:23 that is one beautiful airplane Jeese its gorgeous
What a homely queen. If only. So many cool features.
A textile company had a Lodestar based on 3000' - no more, no less, no overrun area at either end of KAKH in 1965 - those Wright Cyclones always caught your ear immediately when he(the pilot, ex-military) called entering the pattern, that thing sounded like a dozen Greyhound buses a mile out on final- and he had all he could stand getting it stopped.
A real stunner!
Beautiful Aircraft.
Bella!
Ahhhhh...my radial fix for today.
One of the most efficient engines of all time, could cruise or loiter for hours without refueling, still unsurpassed
That is one slick plane!
Sure is!
Beautiful bird
Clean exhaust deflector plates? How many hours of care does this plane receive for every hour of flight? Just beautiful.
I heard it’s waxed down after every flight…
beautiful airplane
Thank you for the video. I noticed that this plane along with some of the smaller planes had a wheel on the back instead of a wheel under the nose. Is that because the larger planes nose drops down upon landing?
My pleasure! It has to do with tricycle style vs tailwheel style landing gear. Just a different type and designer preference.
NICE. That is a labor of love right there. Looked like #1 didn't want to catch a few times-but the folks up front managed to coax her to life. Lordy ya wouldn't want the gas bill on THAT now ! Wonder what kind of manifold pressure they can pull with only 100LL ?
59.5 inches vs. 62.0 inches with 115/145 gas.
Very long queue, i can imagines how the pilot waiting for take off
What engine?
Pratt and Whitney R-2800
Wow, with 2 2800s that is a lot of power.
Souped up Lockheed Lodestar?
Kinda. With Wright R-3350's. FAST.
@@stevenrobinson2381 R-2800's
@@andrewalexander9492 gotcha. I'm thinking of the Ventura
@@stevenrobinson2381 That is a Venture (originally) You're thinking of the Neptune, a later (completely different) patrol aircraft which has Wright 3350's (and jet engines on some later models)
@@andrewalexander9492 no-Lockheed built a Ventura with R-3350's as a prototype-wags called it "sweater girl" because the engines protruded so far forward. That's what I was thinking of................
Kind like Dagmars.
Spam cans as far as you can see. He severely flooded the left engine on start up. Poor engine coughed forever until clear.
195s are no spam cans
White smoke (normal), no black smoke , chuffing or flames on startup like one might get if flooded. Maybe an idle stop or mixture control that's out of adjustment?
Elegant video except for the chairs in the foreground. =PC=
if one of those props comes loose that kid gonna get decapped 😮