The Vega Model 2 Starliner was a prototype five-seat feeder 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.
Model 2 Starliner
The Vega Starliner at Union Air Terminal, circa 1940
In 1935 Lockheed chief engineer Hall Hibbard discussed with Al Menasco the coupling of two Menasco C6S-4 engines mounted side-by side, driving a single propeller. In 1937, a Lockheed subsidiary, the AiRover Company, designed the Model 2 Starliner, to be powered by the new 520 hp (388 kW) Menasco U2-544 Unitwin engine. The Starliner was a low-wing monoplane constructed with a light-alloy semi-monocoque structure conventional tail and rearward retracting undercarriage which remained exposed when retracted. The enclosed cabin was available in two cabin layouts: a custom luxury setup for private owners or a "Starliner" five seat configuration with a smaller baggage compartment for airline use.[1] The twin engine design was intended to provide a margin of safety in the event of a failure of one engine half, with the airplane continuing to fly on the other engine half.[1][2]
The AiRover Company undertook to build the Starliner and was re-organised as the Vega Airplane Company in 1938, with Jack Wassall as project engineer. The sole Starliner emerged in early 1939 and was marketed as a small feeder-liner and custom executive transport. The first flight from Burbank on 22 April 1939 ended with an emergency landing, after the propeller slipped into fine-pitch. During the repairs the single tail unit was replaced with a Lockheed trademark twin tail.[2]
Found to be too small for airline use, the Starliner was discontinued with the need for Lockheed and Vega to concentrate on military contracts, but the Starliner name would later be reused on the Lockheed L-1649 Starliner.
Operational historyedit
The prototype was first flown by Harry Downs at Plant B-1 in Burbank, California on 22 April 1939, making an emergency landing when the propeller entered fine-pitch.[3] Flight testing continued after repairs, but another forced-landing occurred after the undercarriage failed to extend. Repaired again, the Starliner completed its flight test program, flying a total of 85 hours before the aircraft was sold to a movie studio for use as a non-flying prop.[4][2]
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Beechcraft Model 34 – Another airplane with a coupled engine that did not progress beyond the prototype stage
ERCO Ercoupe – Another twin tail light airplane from the 1930s
SNCASO SO.7010 Pégase – Another light passenger airplane with coupled engines that did not progress beyond the prototype stage
Referencesedit
External media
Images
Vega company brochure for the Model 2
Video
Film from British Pathé of the Model 2 being tested
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vega 2 Starliner.
^ abcArchives, SDASM (1939). Robert Reedy Collection Image: Vega Model 2 Brochure. San Diego: Vega Airplane Company.
^ abcFrancillon, Rene J. (1988). Lockheed aircraft since 1913 (2nd reprint ed.). Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. pp. 186–188. ISBN0870218972.
^Cefaratt, Gil (2002). Lockheed: The People Behind the Story. Turner Publishing Company. p. 44. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
^"Chapter V: Peace, Prosperity, Peril" (PDF). Of Men and Stars: A History of Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. Burbank, California: Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. July 1957. p. 8. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
^Archives, SDASM (22 May 2016). "Robert Reedy Collection Image". SDASM. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
^"Much Interest Shown in New Vega Plane". San Fernando Valley Times. p. 4. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
January 08, 2024
vega, model, starliner, prototype, five, seat, feeder, airliner, produced, vega, airplane, company, subsidiary, lockheed, designed, powered, unusual, powerplant, consisting, menasco, piston, engines, coupled, together, drive, single, propeller, single, example. The Vega Model 2 Starliner was a prototype five seat feeder 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 Model 2 StarlinerThe Vega Starliner at Union Air Terminal circa 1940Role FeederlinerNational origin United States of AmericaManufacturer Vega Aircraft CorporationFirst flight 22 April 1939Status ScrappedNumber built 1 Contents 1 Design and development 2 Operational history 3 Variants 4 Operators 5 Specifications 6 See also 7 ReferencesDesign and development editIn 1935 Lockheed chief engineer Hall Hibbard discussed with Al Menasco the coupling of two Menasco C6S 4 engines mounted side by side driving a single propeller In 1937 a Lockheed subsidiary the AiRover Company designed the Model 2 Starliner to be powered by the new 520 hp 388 kW Menasco U2 544 Unitwin engine The Starliner was a low wing monoplane constructed with a light alloy semi monocoque structure conventional tail and rearward retracting undercarriage which remained exposed when retracted The enclosed cabin was available in two cabin layouts a custom luxury setup for private owners or a Starliner five seat configuration with a smaller baggage compartment for airline use 1 The twin engine design was intended to provide a margin of safety in the event of a failure of one engine half with the airplane continuing to fly on the other engine half 1 2 The AiRover Company undertook to build the Starliner and was re organised as the Vega Airplane Company in 1938 with Jack Wassall as project engineer The sole Starliner emerged in early 1939 and was marketed as a small feeder liner and custom executive transport The first flight from Burbank on 22 April 1939 ended with an emergency landing after the propeller slipped into fine pitch During the repairs the single tail unit was replaced with a Lockheed trademark twin tail 2 Found to be too small for airline use the Starliner was discontinued with the need for Lockheed and Vega to concentrate on military contracts but the Starliner name would later be reused on the Lockheed L 1649 Starliner Operational history editThe prototype was first flown by Harry Downs at Plant B 1 in Burbank California on 22 April 1939 making an emergency landing when the propeller entered fine pitch 3 Flight testing continued after repairs but another forced landing occurred after the undercarriage failed to extend Repaired again the Starliner completed its flight test program flying a total of 85 hours before the aircraft was sold to a movie studio for use as a non flying prop 4 2 Variants editModel 2 Single tail version Model 22 Twin tail version Model 24 Cargo version 5 Operators edit nbsp United StatesMid Continent Airlines proposed 6 Vega Aircraft CorporationSpecifications edit nbsp Data from Vega Airplane Company Brochure 1 General characteristicsCrew 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 Wing area 295 sq ft 27 4 m2 Empty weight 4 190 lb 1 901 kg Gross weight 6 000 lb 2 722 kg Fuel capacity 100 US gal 83 imp gal 380 L or optionally 160 US gal 130 imp gal 610 L Powerplant 1 Menasco Unitwin 2 544 12 cylinder coupled air cooled in line piston engine 520 hp 390 kW Propellers 2 bladed constant speed propellerPerformance Maximum speed 210 mph 340 km h 180 kn at 7 500 ft 2 286 m 195 mph 169 kn 314 km h at sea level dd dd dd Cruise speed 178 mph 286 km h 155 kn 66 power at 7 500 ft 2 286 m 200 mph 174 kn 322 km h 75 power at 12 000 ft 3 658 m 155 mph 135 kn 249 km h on one engine half dd dd dd Landing speed 61 mph 53 kn 98 km h with flaps Range 640 mi 1 030 km 560 nmi on one engine half with 100 US gal 83 imp gal 380 L fuel1 060 mi 920 nmi 1 710 km on one engine half with 160 US gal 130 imp gal 610 L fuel dd dd dd Ferry range 1 060 mi 1 710 km 920 nmi Service ceiling 21 500 ft 6 600 m 10 500 ft 3 200 m on one engine half dd dd dd Rate of climb 1 350 ft min 6 9 m s 350 ft min 1 8 m s on one engine half dd dd dd Wing loading 20 3 lb sq ft 99 kg m2 Power mass 0 0869 hp lb 0 1429 kW kg See also editAircraft of comparable role configuration and era Beechcraft Model 34 Another airplane with a coupled engine that did not progress beyond the prototype stage ERCO Ercoupe Another twin tail light airplane from the 1930s SNCASO SO 7010 Pegase Another light passenger airplane with coupled engines that did not progress beyond the prototype stageReferences editExternal mediaImages nbsp Vega company brochure for the Model 2Video nbsp Film from British Pathe of the Model 2 being tested nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vega 2 Starliner a b c Archives SDASM 1939 Robert Reedy Collection Image Vega Model 2 Brochure San Diego Vega Airplane Company a b c Francillon Rene J 1988 Lockheed aircraft since 1913 2nd reprint ed Annapolis Naval Institute Press pp 186 188 ISBN 0870218972 Cefaratt Gil 2002 Lockheed The People Behind the Story Turner Publishing Company p 44 Retrieved 15 March 2020 Chapter V Peace Prosperity Peril PDF Of Men and Stars A History of Lockheed Aircraft Corporation Burbank California Lockheed Aircraft Corporation July 1957 p 8 Retrieved 15 March 2020 Archives SDASM 22 May 2016 Robert Reedy Collection Image SDASM Retrieved 16 March 2020 Much Interest Shown in New Vega Plane San Fernando Valley Times p 4 Retrieved 16 March 2020 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Vega Model 2 Starliner amp oldid 1097102702, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
