Lockheed Vega 5B
Lockheed · United States · first flew 1927 · transport aircraft
The Lockheed Vega was a high-wing monoplane renowned for its speed and smooth wooden monocoque construction, which set numerous distance and speed records in the late 1920s and early 1930s. It was the aircraft of choice for long-distance record-breaking aviators of the era.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Streamlined high-wing monoplane with wooden monocoque fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Streamlined high-wing monoplane with wooden monocoque fuselage
- Large radial engine with NACA cowling
- Cantilever wing with no external bracing
The smooth oval-section wooden monocoque fuselage, unbraced high wing with clean leading edge, and large cowled radial produce a streamlined teardrop silhouette that distinguishes it from contemporary tube-and-fabric designs.
Specifications
- The Lockheed Vega 5B has a length of 8.38 m (27 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.5 m (41 ft).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by John K. Northrop and Gerald Vultee, the Vega first flew in 1927. The 5B was a refined variant with the NACA cowling that dramatically reduced drag. Amelia Earhart used a Vega 5B to make the first solo transatlantic flight by a woman in May 1932, and also the first solo non-stop flight across the United States by a woman.
Variants
The Vega progressed from the Model 1 through to the 5 series; the 5B introduced the NACA long-chord cowling; the closely related Lockheed Air Express had an externally braced parasol wing.
Where you'll see it
Vegas served with airlines including Alaska Washington Airways and Bowen Air Lines, and were widely used by private owners for record attempts; Wiley Post flew a Vega Winnie Mae around the world twice.
Related aircraft
- Vega
- Lockheed Electra 10-A
- Lockheed Lodestar
- P-38 Lightning
- Albatros L 76 Aeolus
- Caproni Ca.97
- Fairchild 71
- Fairchild FC-2
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.