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The Lockheed C-101 ‘Vega’ was the designation given to a single example of the Lockheed Vega that was impressed by the USAAF in 1942
The Vega was a high winged monoplane with a fixed undercarriage, powered by an air cooled radial engine. The only C-101 was built in 1930 as a Vega 5C, and was the last Vega to be produced by Lockheed, before the company was taken over by the Detroit Aircraft Company. The Vega 5C was a seven seat aircraft, capable of operating at a heavier weight than earlier versions of the aircraft. Twenty eight were built from new, and several older aircraft were converted to the new standard.
The sole C-101 entered USAAF service in 1942, and was used by the Army Corps of Engineers. It was returned to its civilian owner in August 1944. The aircraft was destroyed in a crash at El Paso in Texas on 9 June 1945.
Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1340
Power: 600hp
Crew: 1
Wing span: 41ft
Length: 27ft 6in
Height: 8ft 6in
Empty weight: 2,565lb
Gross weight: 4,750lb
Payload: 1,500lb/ six passengers
Cruising speed: 190mph
Service ceiling: 17,000ft
Normal range: 620 miles
Lockheed Aircraft Since 1913, René J Francillon