Varney Speed Lines Lockheed 5C Vega

Additional Information:

The Lockheed Vega is a five- to seven-seat high-wing monoplane airliner built by the Lockheed Corporation. Production began in 1927 and the aircraft became famous for its use by a number of record-breaking pilots who were attracted to its high speed and long range. The Vega 5C is the seven-seat passenger transport version, built for higher gross weight operations with commercial operators.

Varney Air Lines was an American airline company that started service on April 6, 1926, as a small airmail carrier. Formed by Walter Varney, the airline was based in Boise, Idaho. In 1930, Varney was acquired by the United Aircraft and Transport Corporation, which earlier was formed by a merger of Boeing and Pratt & Whitney Aircraft and folded into an airlines group along with some other acquired airlines.

In 1934, the Air Mail scandal resulted in the passage of the Air Mail Act which didn’t allow aircraft manufacturers from operating their own airlines. As a result of the Act, the United Aircraft and Transport Corporation was broken up and the airlines group eventually became United Airlines. Since Varney was a part of United, the founding year of United is 1926, and making United Airlines the oldest commercial airline in the United States. In 1937, Varney became Continental Airlines.

Varney Speed Lines began mail and occasional passenger service to El Paso, Texas and Pueblo, Colorado in 1934. Stops were also made at Santa Fe and Las Vegas, New Mexico. At Pueblo, passengers could continue on Wyoming Air Service onto Denver and Cheyenne, Wyoming. The route was flown with aircraft number N965Y.

A Vega 5C is seen restored and flying in the 1960’s.

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