Long live the Lockheed Constellation What a...
Long live the Lockheed Constellation
What a wonderful sight to see the beautiful Lockheed Constellation
“flying” overhead in Burbank, where it was designed and built. In
1939, Howard Hughes began working with Kelly Johnson at Lockheed to
create what may be the most aesthetically pleasing passenger airplane
ever built. In service by January 1943, the Connie served us well
during WWII as a military troop carrier.
After the war, it was used by TWA to introduce us to the new and
sophisticated world of reliable pressurized air travel. It protected
our shores for years by flying radar patrols along the Defense Early
Warning lines. It was instrumental in the Berlin airlift. It was used
as late at the Vietnam War for radar surveillance and fire control.
Of over 800 built, there remain less than a dozen still flying.
I miss the sound of a heavily loaded Flying Tigers Connie taking
off from Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport.
I am extremely proud of our local citizens who built the beautiful
Constellation and many thousands of other aircraft. I congratulate
the airport staff that somehow found the money to make such a
striking and important investment in our local history.
I lament that there is no property or building dedicated to the
memory of the men and women who accomplished such great aviation
history here. Especially during this year of the centennial of
powered flight, the Burbank area is missing a great opportunity by
not recognizing our contribution to aviation history. From Charlie
Taylor -- the man who made the Wright brothers successful -- to the
birthplace of the Lockheed Skunk Works and the Portal of the Folded
Wings-Shrine to Aviation, we have over 60 years of intense aviation
history to celebrate, and this is the year to do it.
Ron Dickson
Burbank
She keeps animal shelter phone number handy
This is in regard to Grace Hampton’s June 25 letter to the
Leader.
I agree with everything that Ms. Hampton had to say about the care
and safety of our pets, but the part of her letter that gave me pause
was when she spoke of the stranded cat she saw on the Burbank
Boulevard overpass. She said: “I still think about that poor cat and
keep hoping that somebody managed to rescue him.”
In order for “someone” to know that any animal is in danger and is
in need of care or rescue, “someone” needs to be contacted. That
someone is the Burbank Animal Shelter. I keep the shelter’s phone
number in my car so if I ever see a stray dog or cat -- or any animal
in peril -- I can immediately call for assistance.
I also keep a blanket and some kibbles in my car in case I see a
stray so that I can attempt to lure the animal with the food and then
see if it is wearing a collar with an ID tag. Some people I know also
carry a collar, leash and small crate just in case they come upon a
stray. This way, if you can, you can get the animal into your
possession to bring it to the shelter. However, if you encounter any
animal that in any way seems skittish or shows aggression, it’s best
to call the shelter and let the professionals take over.
Ms. Hampton should be applauded for voicing her concern over the
stranded cat she saw, and I just wanted to follow up by offering some
suggestions that may be of help in making sure that we all know what
to do when we see a pet in peril.
Maxine Andrews-Laurell
Burbank
AMC 16 moviegoers get more for their money
How is it even remotely possible that a movie ticket for an adult
at the new, state-of-the-art, technologically advanced, comfortable,
stadium seating Burbank 16 costs the same ($9.50) as a movie ticket
for an adult at the Burbank 8, located on the third floor of a
shopping mall?
Hector Reyes
Burbank