Vega Model 2 Starliner
 | This article is actively undergoing a major edit for a little while. To help avoid edit conflicts, do not edit it while this notice is displayed. This page was last edited 5 years ago, at 20:37, 15 March 2020 (UTC) (). Please remove this template if this page hasn't been edited for a significant time. If you added this notice, remember to remove it or replace it with {{under construction}} between editing sessions. |
| Vega Model 2 Starliner | |
|---|---|
.jpg?lang=en)
| |
| The Vega Starliner at Union Air Terminal, circa 1940 | |
| Role | Business aircraft/airliner |
| National origin | United States of America |
| Manufacturer | Vega Aircraft Corporation |
| First flight | April 1939 |
| Status | Scrapped |
| Number built | 1 |
The Vega Starliner was a prototype five-seat airliner produced by the Vega Airplane Company, a subsidiary of Lockheed. It was designed to be powered by an unusual powerplant, consisting of two Menasco piston engines coupled together to drive a single propeller. A single example was built, flying in 1939, but no production followed.
Design
The twin engine design was intended to provide additional power while also adding a margin of safety. In the event one of the engines failed, the airplane could continue to fly on the other engine.
Operational history
The prototype was eventually sold to a movie studio for use as a prop.[1]
Variants
- Model 2
- Twin tail version
- Model 22
- Single tail version
Specifications
Data from Vega Airplane Company[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Capacity: 4 passengers
- Length: 32 ft 5 in (9.88 m)
- Wingspan: 41 ft 0 in (12.50 m)
- Height: 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m)
- Empty weight: 4,190 lb (1,901 kg)
- Gross weight: 6,000 lb (2,722 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Menasco Unitwin 2-544 Coupled piston engine, 520 hp (390 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 210 mph (340 km/h, 180 kn) at 7,500 ft (2,300 m)
- Cruise speed: 178 mph (286 km/h, 155 kn)
- Range: 640 mi (1,030 km, 560 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 21,500 ft (6,600 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,350 ft/min (6.9 m/s)
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Beechcraft Model 34 – Another airplane with a combined gearbox engine that did not progress beyond the prototype stage
References
- ^ "Chapter V: Peace, Prosperity, Peril". Of Men and Stars: A History of Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. Burbank, California: Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. July 1957. p. 8.
{{cite book}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); External link in|chapterurl=|chapterurl=ignored (|chapter-url=suggested) (help) - ^ Vega Airplane Company.
- Francillon, René J. (1982). Lockheed Aircraft since 1913. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-370-30329-6.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help)
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vega 2 Starliner.
| External media | |
|---|---|
| Images | |
 Vega company brochure for the Model 2 | |
| Video | |
 Film from British Pathé of the Model 2 being tested |