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The Lockheed Y1C-12 was a single example of a DL-1 'Vega' that was purchased for evacuation by the USAAC.
The Vega was the original Lockheed company's main aircraft, and was a high wing monoplane aircraft, originally constructed with a wooden monocoque fuselage and wooden cantilevered wings. The Vega was a successful design, and was used on a number of pioneering flights, perhaps most famously by Amelia Earhart.
In 1929 the main stockholder in Lockheed sold his shares to the Detroit Aircraft Corporation, triggering the resignation of Allan Loughead. The Detroit-Lockheed period only lasted until 1932, when the company went bankrupt, but during that period it did develop the more modern DL-1 'Vega'. This was normally powered by 450hp Pratt & Whitney Wasp C1 engine and had a duralumin fuselage and wooden wings. One of the three DL-1s was used by Amelia Earhart to set three NAA women's speed/ load records.
In 1930 a single example of the DL-1 was purchased by the USAAC, and given the military serial umber 31-405. This aircraft was evaluated as a possible fast command transport, and flew 999 hours between 1931 and May 1935, when it was scrapped without any further orders for the basic transport being placed. However the C-12 was significant as the first Lockheed designed aircraft to be purchased by the US military.
A modified example of the DL-1B was also purchased, and given the designation Y1C-17, but that aircraft was lost during an attempt to break the eastbound transcontinental speed record.
Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-7
Power: 450hp
Crew: 1
Wing span: 41ft
Length: 27ft 6in
Height: 8ft 2in
Empty weight: 2,595lb
Gross weight: 4,720lb
Maximum weight:
Maximum speed:
Cruising speed: 150mph
Service ceiling: 19,750ft
Normal range: 670 miles
Maximum range:
Payload: 1,070lb/ 5 passengers