Memories came flooding back for one passenger who enjoyed a rare flight on the world-famous Connie at Wings Over Illawarra yesterday.
The only flying Lockheed Super Constellation, Connie took to the skies at Illawarra Regional Airport carrying a selection of specially invited guests.
Pauline Milton emigrated to Australia from England in 1948, flying out on a Super Constellation. Because of this, she was invited by the Historic Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) to hop on board yesterday morning.
The half-hour flight was considerably shorter than Mrs Milton's first trip in a Connie.
In those early days of aviation, the passage to Australia took five days. Travelling via Rome, Cairo, Calcutta and Singapore, the journey took even longer for Mrs Milton as passengers were delayed in Singapore for five days due to engine trouble.
"It was quite amazing," Mrs Milton said.
"It was early days for flying and it was the first time I had flown."
The North Wollongong resident said the flight brought back many memories.
"I was thrilled to do it and very grateful," she said.
HARS museum chairman Michael Hough said he was delighted with the turnout at the event and expected final visitor numbers to surpass last year's count of 30,000.
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