What happened to Air France's first Constellation?

Air France was one of the Constellation's major operators and used it for years on its long-haul routes. The first example in its fleet was an L-049, the initial passenger version, with construction number 2072, delivered in June 1946 with the registration F-BAZA. This was when the model was beginning its commercial career in Europe, just months after TWA received its first aircraft in October 1945.

The aircraft later crossed over to the US registry as N9412H and, like other first-generation Constellations, passed through various owners as jets displaced piston aircraft. In May 1976 it was bought by Frank Lembo Enterprises for $45,000 to be converted into a restaurant and bar, and it flew into Greenwood Lake Airport, in West Milford, New Jersey, in 1977.

In 2000 the aircraft was sold to the State of New Jersey along with the airport itself. In 2005 its interior was remodeled to serve as the flight school's office, and the encyclopedia places it parked next to that school and a cafe at the airfield. It's an unglamorous fate for the aircraft that opened Air France's Constellation fleet, but it has allowed it to survive to this day. Another former Constellation of the French airline, registered F-BAZR, ended up as a flying engine test bed until 1974. The encyclopedia also records the L-1049G F-BGNJ, delivered on November 2, 1953, which flew with Air France until August 8, 1967, logging 24,284 hours.