Despite being built in relatively small numbers, the single-engine, high-winged Lockheed Vega was one of the most famous aircraft of the inter-war years, being used to set several records in the early 1930’s. Designed by Jack Northup and Gerrard Vultee, the Vega was a wooden aircraft of monocoque construction, where the body acted as a shell, which improved load-carrying ability. The early Vegas only carried four passengers, which made them unsuitable as airliners. With the Vega 5, a larger engine was introduced and with the 5B two extra passenger seats were added. Approximately 130 Vegas of all types were built.
Probably the most famous pilot to fly the Vega was Wily Post, who set two records for flying around the world, the second solo in July 1933 in a Vega 5C named Winnie Mae. In May, 1932 Amelia Earhart flew a modified Vega 5B (with 420 gallon fuel tanks) non-stop across the Atlantic.
The Vega 5C uses 15 gallons of aviation fuel per hour at routine usage.
Subassemblies: Light Fighter-Bomber chassis +3, Medium Fighter
Wings with STOL option+2, three fixed wheels +0.
Powertrain: 336-kW aerial HP gasoline engine with 336-kW prop
and 96-gallon self-sealing fuel tank [Wings].
Occupancy: 1 CS, 6 PS Cargo: 6.5 Body.
Armor
Body: 2/2C
Wings: 2/2C
Equipment
Body: Medium radio receiver and transmitter, navigation instruments,
autopilot.
Statistics
| Size: 28'x41'x9' | Payload: 0.84 tons | Lwt: 2.01 tons |
| Volume: 312 | Maint.: 66 hours | Price: $9,100 |
HT: 12.
HPs: 165 Body, 50 each Wing, 16 each Wheel.
| aSpeed: 170 | aAccel: 5 | aDecel: 17 | aMR: 4.5 | aSR: 2 | Stall: 45 |
Design Notes
The historical speed has been used (design speed was 173 mph), as well
as the actual wing area (275 square feet). Wing HP, cost and weight were
halved; design weight still had to be reduced by 9%.
The passenger seats are cramped, using 4 rather than 5 VSP each.
Variants
The Vega 1 had a 168-kW engine.
The Vega 2 had a 224-kW engine. The 2A was a single plane modified for a heavier load. The 2D were three planes with new engines.
The 36 Vega 5’s had a 306-kW, 313-kW or 336-kW engine.
The Vega 5A Executive had a more luxurious interior.
The Vega 5B added two more passenger seats.