Air Express Corporation Lockheed 5C Vega

Name: Air Express Corporation Lockheed 5C Vega - Cavalcade of Wings
SKU: Model-0339

Model ID#:

0339

YEAR:

1933

Airline/Service:

Air Express Corporation

Name:

Vega

Classification:

Commercial

Type:

Air Freight Transport

Manufacturer:

Douglas

Designation:

MODEL BY:

H. Davidson

Model Scale:

1/48

MODEL ADDED:

09/25/1978

historical significance

First Albuquerque Visit: 1933

SKU: Model-0339 Categories: Commercial, Air Freight, Transport

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.

This airplane is a Lockheed Vega model 5, S/N 99, manufactured by the Lockheed Aircraft Company, Burbank, CA on September 9, 1929. It was a five passenger, closed, high-wing monoplane. It left the factory with a Pratt & Whitney Wasp C engine of 450HP.

In 1931 the Vega was rebuilt at the factory to the seven passenger configuration and became a Vega 5C. It was then sold to Midland Air Express of Kansas City, KS on June 2, 1931. A few months later it suffered an accident at Cheyenne, Wyoming on September 1, 1931. It had damage to the landing gear, fuselage bulkheads and motor mount. It was repaired and sold to Philip H. Philbin. Philbin was with the Air Express Corporation, whose address was recorded as the Ambassador Hotel, New York, New York. Under Philbin’s ownership and Air Express operation, NC47M suffered another accident at Livingston Manor, New York on December 9, 1932. On December 20, 1932 the airplane was transferred to the Air Express Corporation. On July 28, 1933 NC47M was then sold to Alaska Air Express.

Air Express Corporation flew air freight using the Lockheed Vegas from New York to Los Angeles. The main cargo was lobsters from New York to LA and flowers returned back to NY. The run was referred to as the roses & lobster run in 1933. Air Express had three Vegas and two Orion’s. The planes, including the Vega 5C, NC47M, would land in Albuquerque for fuel along the way.

The Vega was a popular plane in the 1930s and here are some photos of similar Vegas flying in those days.

One of the two Air Express Corporation’s Orion’s that flew lobsters and flowers from coast to coast is in the photo below.