Time Period: Interwar Period
Country of Origin: United States
Type: Transport Aircraft
Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
Lockheed Vega Aircraft Overview
The Lockheed Vega was a groundbreaking high-wing monoplane introduced in 1927, known for its innovative design and record-setting capabilities. Its lightweight, molded plywood fuselage and powerful radial engine made it faster and more efficient than many of its contemporaries.
Initially intended as a small passenger aircraft, it became famous for its use by pioneering aviators like Amelia Earhart 🔗 (who was actually awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross 🔗 after becoming the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean) and Wiley Post, who relied on its exceptional range, speed, and reliability to achieve historic flights. The Vega became an icon of the Golden Age of Aviation, demonstrating the possibilities of modern aircraft and pushing the boundaries of exploration and performance.
The Lockheed Vega was a major step forward in aviation technology, influencing the design of future aircraft. Several Vegas are preserved in museums today, including Amelia Earhart’s Vega 5B, which is displayed at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
Lockheed Vega's Notable Achievements
The Lockheed Vega became famous for being the aircraft of choice for many pioneering aviators:
-
Amelia Earhart:
- In 1932, she used her Lockheed Vega 5B to become the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
- She also flew the Vega to set other records, including the first solo flight by a woman from Los Angeles to Newark, New Jersey.
-
Wiley Post:
- Post used a Lockheed Vega, named “Winnie Mae,” to become the first pilot to fly solo around the world in 1933.
- He also broke altitude records using a pressurized suit and the Vega.
-
Antarctic Exploration:
- Richard E. Byrd used a Vega for flights over Antarctica, showcasing its versatility in harsh conditions.
-
Racing and Speed Records:
- The Vega set numerous speed and endurance records during its time and was a popular choice for air racing.
Lockheed Vega 5C Specifications
- Crew: 1 (pilot)
- Capacity: 6 passengers
- Length: 27 feet 6 inches (8.38 meters)
- Wingspan: 41 feet (12 meters)
- Height: 8 feet 6 inches (2.59 meters)
- Wing Area: 275 square feet (25.5 m²)
- Airfoil: Clark Y (root: 18%; tip: 9.47%)
- Empty Weight: 2,565 lbs (1,163 kg); Vega 5C floatplane: 3,153 lbs (1,430 kg)
- Gross Weight: 4,500 lbs (2,041 kg); Vega 5C floatplane: 4,880 lbs (2,210 kg)
- Fuel Capacity: 160 US gallons (130 imperial gallons; 610 liters)
- Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1340C Wasp 9-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, 450 hp (340 kW)
- Propeller: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller
Lockheed Vega 5C Performance
- Maximum Speed: 185 mph (298 km/h, 161 knots); Vega 5C floatplane: 175 mph (282 km/h)
- Cruise Speed: 165 mph (266 km/h, 143 knots); Vega 5C floatplane: 160 mph (260 km/h)
- Range: 725 miles (1,167 km, 630 nautical miles); Vega 5C floatplane: 620 miles (1,000 km)
- Service Ceiling: 19,000 feet (5,800 meters); Vega 5C floatplane: 17,000 feet (5,200 meters)
- Rate of Climb: 1,300 ft/min (6.6 m/s); Vega 5C floatplane: 1,100 ft/min (5.6 m/s)
- Wing Loading: 16.4 lbs/sq ft (80 kg/m²); Vega 5C floatplane: 17.7 lbs/sq ft (86 kg/m²)
- Power-to-Weight Ratio: 0.1 hp/lb (0.16 kW/kg); Vega 5C floatplane: 0.0926 hp/lb (0.1522 kW/kg)
