General MacArthur’s Constellation Takes to the Sky Again at Chino

The VC-121A Constellation serial 48-613, named Bataan after General Douglas MacArthur’s personal transport, completed its third test flight at Chino Airport in California. Footage captured the aircraft through engine start, takeoff, several flybys, and landing, marking a significant milestone in the restoration of one of the most historically significant surviving Constellations.

The Bataan was assigned to General of the Army Douglas MacArthur during his postwar command and carried his name throughout his service in the Pacific theater’s aftermath. The aircraft is owned by Rod Lewis and managed by Lewis Air Legends, which has invested substantial effort in returning it to airworthy condition.

The Lockheed Constellation’s triple-tail silhouette and distinctive curved fuselage remain among the most recognizable shapes in aviation history. Powered by four Wright R-3350 radial engines, the aircraft produces the layered sound signature that defined long-distance travel and high-level military transport in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Hearing all four running at Chino is a rare experience in 2024.

The test flight footage shows the aircraft performing confidently through each phase, from the deliberate engine start sequence through clean departure and measured approach. For a transport that once carried one of the most consequential American commanders of the 20th century, watching it fly again carries a weight the footage conveys without needing to explain it.