Design on a new class of passenger aircraft, the Model 044 Excalibur, began in 1938, based on commercial airline requirements calling for 21 passengers and a top speed of 241 miles per hour.  Evolving airline requirements soon gave way to designs for the Model 049 Constellation, intended to carry 44 passengers.  The most advanced airliner at the time of its inception, two went into development to be delivered to commercial airline carriers for testing.

The outbreak of World War II put a stop to commercial passenger aircraft production.  The United States Army Air Force (USAAF) had similar needs to the commercial airlines for a high speed, long range transport aircraft.  This led to the first two Constellations being converted to military aircraft.  First flight for the military version of the Constellation was January 9, 1943.  The success of these aircraft led to an order for 180 military versions of the Constellation, designated as the C-69.  Eventually, 313 C-69s would be ordered by the USAAF, however the end of the war brought contract cancellations and only 15 C-69s were delivered.

After World War II, commercial production began again with 79 Constellations built and delivered to commercial carriers.  The first commercial flight was on February 3, 1946.  With high speed, reliable performance, passenger appeal, and economic operation, it wasn’t long until the Constellation became the industry’s workhorse for long distance commercial flight routes. 

In the early 1950’s the Constellation began to be displaced by newer aircraft designs, including the Super Constellation.  Used aircraft found their way into secondary markets with airlines outside the United States, extending their service life into the late 1950’s.

As jet powered aircraft entered the commercial fleets, use of the Connie tailed off quickly.  Even still, as late as the 1980s, as many as a half dozen Constellations were still in use.