Western Air Lines Lockheed L-749 Constellation  N1554V     (c/n  2505)

                                      

                                           In July of 1967 Western Air Lines merged with Pacific Northern Airlines.  The take over was
                                           completed by October of that year.   PNA's Connies were usually flown on the sectors north
                                           of Seattle (into Alaska) and hence were practically unknown at the LAX base.  This interesting
                                           shot by John F. Ciela shows the under-fuselage "Speedpak" freight panier being loaded into place
                                           at SEATAC in August of 1958.   For more on the history of this aircraft, see my entry under
                                           Pacific Northern.