Lockheed Model 9F Orion
Lockheed Corporation · United States · first flew 1933 · light aircraft
The Lockheed Model 9F Orion is one of the final production variants of the Orion airliner family, representing the mature form of Lockheed's groundbreaking retractable-undercarriage commercial monoplane design.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.38 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Near-final Orion production variant
- Retractable undercarriage low-wing commercial monoplane
- Wooden monocoque airframe with NACA cowled radial
Shares all external features with other Orion variants; only engine and detail differences distinguish sub-variants.
Specifications
- The Lockheed Model 9F Orion has a length of 8.38 m (27 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.05 m (43 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 354 km/h (220 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 pilot + 6 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The 9F was among the last Orions completed before production wound down around 1933. By this stage the wooden construction and single-engine configuration were becoming difficult to justify against emerging all-metal twin-engine airliners, and no significant orders were forthcoming.
Variants
Followed by the 9F-1 as the final Orion sub-variant; together these represent the end of the Orion production run.
Where you'll see it
Very limited service with small US operators; the type's commercial viability had been overtaken by events before the later variants even entered service.
Related aircraft
- Lockheed Model 9F-1 Orion
- Lockheed Model 10 Electra
- Lockheed Model 9E Orion
- Lockheed Model 9 Orion
- Beriev MP-1
- British Aircraft Swallow
- Cessna CR-3
- de Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth
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