How many metal-fuselage Lockheed Vegas were made?

[Stephan Wilkinson]

All of the recent publicity about John Magoffin's metal-fuselage Lockheed Vega that first flew on 17 December says that there were only nine metal Vegas made. Bill Yenne's book "Lockheed" says there were 10. Does anybody know which number is correct?

[daviemax]

Careful reading of Lockheed Aircraft since 1913 by Rene J. Francillon indicates there were 10 metal-fuselage Vegas built altogether: C/N's 135, 136, 137, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 161 (the latter being assembled by laid-off Detroit-Lockheed employees following the demise of that company). This book is an excellent resource for Lockheed aircraft history, published by the Naval Institute Press.

[Stephan Wilkinson]

How embarrassing. I think I actually have Francillon's book... Thank you.

[daviemax]

No problem. As a B-17 historian, I recently made an embarrassing error here on WIX that had I paid more careful attention, would have been avoided. The main thing is for us together to arrive at the truth.

Vegas are extremely important historical aircraft and fully worthy of study.

Best Wishes.

[Stephan Wilkinson]

Yes, that's why I had qualms about all the immediate, repetitive sightings of "nine metal Vegas" references. I'm always suspicious when everybody from Flying Magazine to Antique Airport is suddenly so in agreement...

I'm writing about the newly airworthy Vega for Aviation History magazine.

[daviemax]

Perhaps the source of the confusion is the last airframe constructed, as it was not produced by an active Lockheed legal entity.

[JohnB]

As much as I admire Francilion (I was reading his Lockheed book last night before going to bed) the definitive book is Revolution in the Sky, by Allen. Although old (I read it in grade school) it covers the early Lockheeds like nothing else. Wonderfully researched and detailed, it has a history of every single engine Lockheed by C/n.

I'm not a fan of Yenne....I have issues with some of his writing/research.

[Stephan Wilkinson]

Thank you. Just bought "Revolution" from Amazon. It may be "old," but I bought a new copy. $15.

[daviemax]

I don't own Revolution in the Sky but I'll find it. Thanks for the tip. Would love to hear more of the concerns you have with Francillon - I'm sure there is something to learn!

[JohnB]

Glad I could help with my recommendation. The library of anyone interested in prewar American aircraft needs that book. His companion volume on Northrop aircraft The Northrop Story, to be just as well written and researched.

Would love to hear more of the concerns you have with Francillon - I'm sure there is something to learn![/b]

I don't have any concerns with Francillon...I'm a huge fan of his. His Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War is a masterpiece, and I enjoy his Putnam efforts on Lockheed, Grumman and McDonnell Douglas as well as his more recent Douglas Propliners (not to be confused with the earlier book of the same name by Arthur Pearcy). BTW: I used his listing of surviving SE Lockheeds from his Putnam book to update my copy of Revolution.

[ALOHADAVE]

So how many Vegas had major crashes in the US? and where?
I believe I saw a piece of one in a museum recovered from a crash site.

[Fleet16b]

So how many Vegas had major crashes in the US? and where?
I believe I saw a piece of one in a museum recovered from a crash site.

Don't know how many in the States but I remember my Dad telling me about one that crashed in the 30's near Hamilton Ontario Canada

[JohnB]

Without accounting for all of them...many were "washed out" on landings and take-offs. And typical of the period (and parachute flares) a few were lost in hangar fires.
It was hardly an unsafe aircraft, a few were flying in Alaska as late as the 50s.

What museum did you see it at?

[Lockheed1B]

In answer to how many metal Vega fuselages were made, the answer is ten.
Nine were dedicated to the construction of "metal" Vegas, and one was used in the construction of a "metal" Orion.
That airplane is on display in the Swiss Air Museum.
N12288 is the soul surviving "metal" Vega.

[JohnB]

The metal Orion is the only US-built aircraft on display outside the US that I'd love to see returned.
The single engine airliners are an interesting part of the American air transport story. The NASM has the Northrop Alpha in it's air transport section, I'd love to see the Orion there as well...and a Boeing 40.