Vega Model 2 Starliner
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| Vega Model 2 Starliner | |
|---|---|
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| 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 first flown by Harry Downs at Plant B-1 in Burbank, California in April 1939.[1]
Unfortunately, the small five to six seat capacity of the Starliner limited its usefulness as a feederliner. The prototype was eventually sold to a movie studio for use as a prop.[2]
The Starliner name would later be reused on the Lockheed L-1649 airliner.
Variants
- Model 2
- Twin tail version
- Model 22
- Single tail version
Specifications
Data from Vega Airplane Company[3]
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)
- Propellers: 2-bladed
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
- ^ Cefaratt, Gil (2002). Lockheed: The People Behind the Story. Turner Publishing Company. p. 44. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ "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.
Further reading
- Francillon, René J. (1982). Lockheed Aircraft since 1913. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-370-30329-6.
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External links
| External media | |
|---|---|
| Images | |
 Vega company brochure for the Model 2 | |
| Video | |
 Film from British Pathé of the Model 2 being tested |