on december 23, 1954, the hughes tool co. ordered 25 lockheed l-1449 turboprops. on march 29, 1955, this order was changed to piston powered l-1649as. hughes transferred the planes to twa in 1956, after receiving civil aeronautics board approval. the first l-1649a was delivered on may 4, 1957. fully reclining seats were later added to the plane.