Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar
The Lockheed L -18 Lodestar was a light twin-engine transport aircraft of the U.S. American manufacturer Lockheed.
History
After a series of crashes Northwest Airlines gave back his Lockheed 14 Super Electra to the manufacturer. One of these aircraft was converted into a prototype of the Lockheed Lodestar. By extending the fuselage around five feet two additional rows of seats could be installed. The new model made its first flight on 21 September 1939.
Although this capacity expansion was not enough to make the larger Douglas DC-3 competition seriously, after all, 625 aircraft were sold in different variants. As a drive different Pratt & Whitney and Wright Cyclone engines were used.
From the Lodestar of light bombers and reconnaissance Ventura was developed.
Use
The aircraft was initially successful outside the U.S.. 29 LODESTAR acquired the government of the Dutch East Indies, 21 copies went to South African Airways. Other important customers were Trans-Canada Air Lines and BOAC with twelve with nine orders.
When the United States increased their armament efforts in the years 1940 /41, different versions to the U.S. Army Air Corps and the U.S. Navy were sold. Some machines went to the Air Force of New Zealand. After the war, these models were sold to civilian customers and predominantly used as business aircraft.
Versions
U.S. Army Air Corps and United States Army Air Forces
- C -56 - Wright R -1820 engines, 1 copy
- C- 56A- C- 56E - Pratt & Whitney R- 1690 engines, 25 copies
- C- 57A - Pratt & Whitney R -1830 engines, a copy
- C- 57B - troop carrier with Pratt & Whitney R -1830 engines, 7 copies
- C- 57C - former C -60A with Pratt & Whitney R -1830 -51 engines, 3 copies
- C- 57D - former C- 57A with Pratt & Whitney R -1830 -92 engines, 1 copy
- C -59 - Pratt & Whitney R- 1690 Hornet engines, 10 copies; Lodestar IA later the Royal Air Force.
- C-60 - Wright R -1820 -87 engines, 36 copies; later Lodestar II RAF
- C -60A - troop carrier with Pratt & Whitney R -1830 Twin Wasp engines, 125 copies
- XC -60B - C -60A, equipped with de-icing system for testing purposes, 1 copy
- C -60C - troop carrier with 21 seats, not built
- C-66 - Wright R -1820 -87 engines, 1 copy; delivered to the Air Force of Brazil
U.S. Navy
- XR5O -1 - Wright R -1820 -40 engines with 895 kW, 1 copy
- R5O -1 - Wright R -1820 -97 engines with 895 kW, 3 copies; a machine later went to the United States Coast Guard.
- R5O -2 - Pratt & Whitney R- 1690-25 engines with 634 kW, 1 copy
- R5O -3 - Pratt & Whitney R- 1830- 34A engines with 895 kW, VIP van with four seats, two copies
- R5O -4 - Wright R -1820 -40 engines with 895 kW, bar plane with 7 seats, 12 copies
- R5O -5 - RSO -4 with 14 seats, 14 copies
- R5O -6 - former C -60A -5 -LO with space for 18 paratroopers, delivered to the U.S. Marine Corps, 35 copies
Military user
- Royal Australian Air Force
- Brazilian Air Force
- Royal Canadian Air Force
- Dutch East Indies Air Force
- Royal New Zealand Air Force
- Norwegian Air Force
- Royal Air Force
- United States Army Air Force
- United States Navy
- United States Marine Corps
- United States Coast Guard
Civilian users
- Canadian Pacific Air Lines
- Trans-Canada Air Lines (12 )
Brazil Brazil
- Navegacao Aerea Brasileira ( 5)
- Panair do Brasil (14 )
- Union Airways of New Zealand (1945-1947)
- National Airways Corporation ( after 1947 )
- South African Airways (21 )
- BOAC (9 )
- Aero Portuguesa
- DETA Mozambique Airlines
Specifications
Model C -60