Vultee V-1
Vultee / Airplane Development Corporation · United States · first flew 1933 · airliner
The Vultee V-1 was an American all-metal single-engine transport of the early 1930s, one of the fastest airliners of its era and a significant step forward in American commercial aviation technology.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 11.28 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- 1930s US single-engine all-metal cantilever monoplane airliner
- Retractable undercarriage and NACA cowling over a large Wright Cyclone radial
- Streamlined low-wing design with seating for eight passengers
A clean low-wing monoplane with a large NACA-cowled radial, retractable gear leaving a slight fairing in the wing, and a long narrow fuselage tapering elegantly to the tail.
Specifications
- The Vultee V-1 has a length of 11.28 m (37 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 15.24 m (50 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 378 km/h (235 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 + 8 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by Gerard Vultee and developed through the Airplane Development Corporation, the V-1 entered service with American Airlines in 1933. Its streamlined monocoque fuselage, retractable undercarriage, and powerful Wright Cyclone engine gave it a marked speed advantage over contemporary transports.
Variants
The V-1A was an improved version with a more powerful engine; later derivatives included the V-1A Special with additional range.
Where you'll see it
Operated by American Airlines, TACA, and other carriers in the United States and Latin America during the mid-1930s.
Related aircraft
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