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{|{{Infobox Aircraftaircraft Beginbegin
|name= Lockheed Altair
|image=Image File:Lockheed Altair.2C-23.jpg
|caption= The ''[[LadyC-23, Southernan Cross]]'',Altair converted8D frompurchased anby olderthe SiriusUS andArmy bearingAir herCorps pre-deliveryfor use as a namestaff ''ANZAC''.transport
}}{{Infobox Aircraftaircraft Typetype
|type= Civilian sport
|national origin =[[United States of America]]
Line 13:
|}
 
The '''Lockheed Altair''' was a single-engined sport aircraft ofproduced by [[Lockheed Corporation|Lockheed Aircraft Limited]] in the 1930s. It was a development of the [[Lockheed Sirius]] with a retractable undercarriage, and was the first Lockheed aircraft and one of the first aircraft designs with a fully retractable undercarriage.
 
==Development and design==
Lockheed designed an alternative wing fitted with a retractable undercarriage for the Lockheed Sirius as a result of a request from [[Charles Lindbergh]], although Lindbergh in the end chose to buy a standard Sirius. The first Altair, converted from a Sirius, flew in September 1930.<ref name="Francillon 7882 p101"> Francillon 19781982, p. 101.</ref> Like the Sirius, the Altair was a single -engined, low-winged monoplane of wooden construction. The undercarriage, which was operated by use of a hand crank, retracted inwards.
 
Four Altairs following the prototype were converted Siriusesfrom examples of the Sirius, with another six Altairs built from scratch: three by Lockheed, two by the [[Detroit Aircraft Corporation]], and one by [[AiRover]]. The AiRover Altair, dubbed ''The Flying Testbed'', was powered by a [[Menasco Motors Company|Menasco]] Unitwin engine, which used two engines to drive a single shaft.<ref name="Pearce">{{cite web|last1=Pearce|first1=William|title=Menasco 2-544 Unitwin Aircraft Engine|url=https://oldmachinepress.com/2013/12/23/menasco-2-544-unitwin/|website=oldmachinepress.com|date=24 December 2013 |access-date=25 May 2016}}</ref> The Unitwin was used in the [[Vega Starliner]], which never went into production.
 
==Operational history==
The prototype Altair was purchased by the [[United States Army Air Corps]] and designated '''Y1C-25''', with a second Altair, fitted with a metal construction fuselage was also purchased by the Army as the '''Y-1CY1C-23''' and used as a staff transport, as was a single similar aircraft operated by the [[United States Navy|US Navy]] as the '''XRO-1'''.<ref name="Francillon 78 p101-106"> Francillon 1978, pp.101-106 101–106.</ref>
 
Altairs were used to carry out a number of record -breaking long -range flightflights. One aircraft, named ''[[Lady Southern Cross]]'' was used by Australian [[aviator]] [[Charles Kingsford Smith]] to carry out the first flight between Australia and the United States between 20 October and 420 and November 4, 1934. Kingsford Smith was killed onin 7the Decemberearly hours of November 8, 1935, flying ''Lady Southern Cross'' during an attempt on the record for flying between England and Australia.<ref name="Francillon 7882 p103-4"> Francillon 19781982, pp.103-104 103–104.</ref>
 
Two Altairs were used by the Japanese newspaper ''[[Mainichi Shimbun]]'' as high -speed passenger and cargo aircraft, one remaining in use until 1944.<ref name="Francillon 7882 p105-6"> Francillon 19781982, pp.105-106 105–106.</ref>
 
==Variants==
[[File:Lockheed XRO-1 Altair at Langley 1932.jpg|thumb|right|Lockheed XRO-1 at Langley]]
;8D Altair: Two-seat long-range high-performance sports aircraft, fitted with a retractable undercarriage, powered by a 500-hp (373-kW) Pratt & Whitney SR-1340E Wasp radial piston engine; One prototype, four converted Sirius aircraft, six production aircraft.▼
 
;Sirius 8 Special: One aircraft built for the Australian aviator Charles Kingford Smith, it was converted into an Altair 8D aircraft, later named the ''Lady Southern Cross''.▼
▲;8D Altair: Two-seat long-range high-performance sports aircraft, fitted with a retractable undercarriage, powered by a 500-&nbsp;hp (373-&nbsp;kW) Pratt & Whitney SR-1340E Wasp radial piston engine; One prototype, four converted Sirius aircraft, six production aircraft.
;8G Altair: One aircraft built by the [[Vega Aircraft Corporation|AiRover Company]] as a testbed for the [[Menasco Unitwin 2-544]] engine, intended for the [[Vega Model 2 Starliner]].
▲;Sirius 8 Special: One aircraft built for the Australian aviator Charles KingfordKingsford Smith, it was converted into an Altair 8D aircraft, later named the ''Lady Southern Cross''.
;DL-2A: Two Altair 8Ds built by the [[Detroit Aircraft Corporation]].
;Y1C-23: The second Altair 8D was purchased by the US Army Air Corps, it was used as a staff transport aircraft. Later redesignated '''C-23'''.
;Y1C-25: The Altair 8D prototype was purchased by the US Army Air Corps, powered by a 450-&nbsp;hp (336-&nbsp;kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1340-17 Wasp radial piston engine.
;XRO-1: One Altair DL-2A acquired by the USU.S. Navy, it was used as staff transport aircraft.
 
==Operators==
Line 39 ⟶ 42:
*[[Mainichi Shimbun]]
;{{USA}}
*[[United States Army Air ForceForces]]
*[[United States Navy]]
 
==Specifications (Y-1Y1C-23)==
{{Aircraft specs
{{aircraft specifications|
|prime units?=imp
<!-- please answer the following questions -->
 
|plane or copter?=plane
|ref=Lockheed Aircraft since 1913<Refref name="Francillon 7882 p106"> Francillon 19781982, p. 106.</Refref>▼
|jet or prop?=prop
 
▲|ref=Lockheed Aircraft since 1913<Ref name="Francillon 78 p106"> Francillon 1978, p.106.</Ref>
<!-- Now, fill out the specs. Please include units where appropriate (main comes first, alt in parentheses). If an item doesn't apply, leave it blank. For instructions on using |more general=, |more performance=, |power original=, and |thrust original= see [[Template talk:Airtemp]]. -->
|crew=1
|length ft=28
|capacity=
|length mainin=28 ft 4 in
|length altm=8.64 m
|span mainft=42 ft 9 in
|span altin=13.03 m9
|span m=13.03
|height main=9 ft 6 in▼
|height altft=2.90 m9
▲|height mainin=9 ft 6 in
|area main=293.2 ft²▼
|areaheight altm=272.2490 m²
▲|wing area mainsqft=293.2 ft²
|airfoil=
|wing area sqm=27.24
|empty weight main=3,235 lb
|empty weight altlb=13,468235 kg
|loadedempty weight mainkg=41,895468 lb
|loadedgross weight altlb=24,220895 kg
|max takeoffgross weight mainkg=2,220
|engineeng1 (prop)name=[[Pratt & Whitney R-1340|Pratt & Whitney SR-1340E Wasp]]▼
|max takeoff weight alt=
|eng1 type of prop=9-cylinder air cooled [[radial engine]]▼
|more general=
|eng1 number=1
▲|engine (prop)=[[Pratt & Whitney R-1340|Pratt & Whitney SR-1340E Wasp]]
|eng1 hp=500
▲|type of prop=9-cylinder air cooled [[radial engine]]
|powereng1 altkw=373 kW▼
|number of props=1
|max speed mph=207
|power main=500 hp
|max speed kts=180
▲|power alt=373 kW
|max speed kmh=333
|power original=
|max speed note=at 7,000 ft (2,140 m)
|power more=
|maxcruise speed mainmph=207175 mph
|maxcruise speed altkts=180 kn, 333 km/h152
|maxcruise speed morekmh=at 7,000 ft (2,140 m)282
|range moremiles=580 ▼
|cruise speed main=175 mph
|range nmi=504
|cruise speed alt=152 kn, 282 km/h
|range mainkm=580 mi935
|ceiling mainft=23,800 ft▼
|range alt=504 [[nautical mile|nmi]], 935 km
|ceiling altm=7,255 m▼
▲|range more=
|wing loading mainlb/sqft=52.5 lb/ft²▼
▲|ceiling main=23,800 ft
|wing loading altkg/m2=81.5 kg/m²▼
▲|ceiling alt=7,255 m
|power/mass alt=0.10 hp/lb (0.17 kW/kg)▼
|climb rate main=
|climb rate alt=
▲|loading main=52.5 lb/ft²
▲|loading alt=81.5 kg/m²
|thrust/weight=
|power/mass main=0.10 hp/lb
▲|power/mass alt=0.17 kW/kg
|more performance=*'''Climb to 7,000 ft (2,140 m):''' 9.4 min
|armament=
}}
 
Line 107 ⟶ 102:
* [[List of Lockheed aircraft]]
* [[List of military aircraft of the United States]]
* [[List of militaryUnited aircraftStates ofNavy theaircraft United Statesdesignations (navalpre-1962)]]
}}
 
==References==
{{reflist}}
 
===Notes===
* Francillon, René J, ''Lockheed Aircraft since 1913''. London:Putnam, 1982. ISBN 0-370-30329-6.▼
{{Reflist}}
* Francillon, René J, ''Lockheed Aircraft since 1913''. Naval Institute Press: Annapolis, 1987.
 
* John Oder - Aero Museum Services is dedicated to bringing these Vintage Aircraft back into service. http://aeromuseumservices.com/
===Bibliography===
* Ron Cuskelly - Very detailed information of Lockheed Altair "Lady Southern Cross". Contains images, data etc - http://www.adastron.com/lockheed/altair/altair.htm
▲* Francillon, René J,. ''Lockheed Aircraft since 1913''. LondonAnnapolis, Maryland:Putnam Naval Institute Press, 19821987. {{ISBN |0-37087021-30329897-62}}.
*{{cite journal |last1=Layman |first1=R. D. |title=Question 15/91: Early USN Aircraft |journal=Warship International |date=1993 |volume=XXX |issue=3 |page=318 |issn=0043-0374}}
 
==External links==
{{commons category|Lockheed Model 8 Sirius}}
* [http://www.adastron.com/lockheed/altair/altair.htm Detailed information about Lockheed Altair "Lady Southern Cross".]
 
{{Lockheed}}
{{USAF transports}}
{{USN transports}}
{{aviationDetroit listsaircraft}}
 
 
[[Category:Lockheed aircraft|Altair]]
[[Category:1930s United States civil utility aircraft 1920-1929]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
 
[[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]
[[fr:Lockheed Altair]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1930]]

Latest revision as of 02:48, 17 December 2023

Altair
The C-23, an Altair 8D purchased by the US Army Air Corps for use as a staff transport
Role Civilian sport
National origin United States of America
Manufacturer Lockheed Aircraft Limited
First flight September 1930
Number built 11
Developed from Lockheed Sirius

The Lockheed Altair was a single-engined sport aircraft produced by Lockheed Aircraft Limited in the 1930s. It was a development of the Lockheed Sirius with a retractable undercarriage, and was the first Lockheed aircraft and one of the first aircraft designs with a fully retractable undercarriage.

Development and design[edit]

Lockheed designed an alternative wing fitted with a retractable undercarriage for the Lockheed Sirius as a result of a request from Charles Lindbergh, although Lindbergh in the end chose to buy a standard Sirius. The first Altair, converted from a Sirius, flew in September 1930.[1] Like the Sirius, the Altair was a single-engined, low-winged monoplane of wooden construction. The undercarriage, which was operated by use of a hand crank, retracted inwards.

Four Altairs following the prototype were converted from examples of the Sirius, with another six Altairs built from scratch: three by Lockheed, two by the Detroit Aircraft Corporation, and one by AiRover. The AiRover Altair, dubbed The Flying Testbed, was powered by a Menasco Unitwin engine, which used two engines to drive a single shaft.[2] The Unitwin was used in the Vega Starliner, which never went into production.

Operational history[edit]

The prototype Altair was purchased by the United States Army Air Corps and designated Y1C-25, with a second Altair, fitted with a metal construction fuselage was also purchased by the Army as the Y1C-23 and used as a staff transport, as was a single similar aircraft operated by the US Navy as the XRO-1.[3]

Altairs were used to carry out a number of record-breaking long-range flights. One aircraft, named Lady Southern Cross was used by Australian aviator Charles Kingsford Smith to carry out the first flight between Australia and the United States between October 20 and November 4, 1934. Kingsford Smith was killed in the early hours of November 8, 1935, flying Lady Southern Cross during an attempt on the record for flying between England and Australia.[4]

Two Altairs were used by the Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shimbun as high-speed passenger and cargo aircraft, one remaining in use until 1944.[5]

Variants[edit]

Lockheed XRO-1 at Langley
8D Altair
Two-seat long-range high-performance sports aircraft, fitted with a retractable undercarriage, powered by a 500 hp (373 kW) Pratt & Whitney SR-1340E Wasp radial piston engine; One prototype, four converted Sirius aircraft, six production aircraft.
8G Altair
One aircraft built by the AiRover Company as a testbed for the Menasco Unitwin 2-544 engine, intended for the Vega Model 2 Starliner.
Sirius 8 Special
One aircraft built for the Australian aviator Charles Kingsford Smith, it was converted into an Altair 8D aircraft, later named the Lady Southern Cross.
DL-2A
Two Altair 8Ds built by the Detroit Aircraft Corporation.
Y1C-23
The second Altair 8D was purchased by the US Army Air Corps, it was used as a staff transport aircraft. Later redesignated C-23.
Y1C-25
The Altair 8D prototype was purchased by the US Army Air Corps, powered by a 450 hp (336 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1340-17 Wasp radial piston engine.
XRO-1
One Altair DL-2A acquired by the U.S. Navy, it was used as staff transport aircraft.

Operators[edit]

 Japan
 United States

Specifications (Y1C-23)[edit]

Data from Lockheed Aircraft since 1913[6]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 28 ft 4 in (8.64 m)
  • Wingspan: 42 ft 9 in (13.03 m)
  • Height: 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m)
  • Wing area: 293.2 sq ft (27.24 m2)
  • Empty weight: 3,235 lb (1,468 kg)
  • Gross weight: 4,895 lb (2,220 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney SR-1340E Wasp 9-cylinder air cooled radial engine, 500 hp (373 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 207 mph (333 km/h, 180 kn) at 7,000 ft (2,140 m)
  • Cruise speed: 175 mph (282 km/h, 152 kn)
  • Range: 580 mi (935 km, 504 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 23,800 ft (7,255 m)
  • Wing loading: 52.5 lb/sq ft (81.5 kg/m2)
  • Power/mass: 0.10 hp/lb (0.17 kW/kg)
  • Climb to 7,000 ft (2,140 m): 9.4 min

See also[edit]

Related development

Related lists

References[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Francillon 1982, p. 101.
  2. ^ Pearce, William (24 December 2013). "Menasco 2-544 Unitwin Aircraft Engine". oldmachinepress.com. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
  3. ^ Francillon 1978, pp. 101–106.
  4. ^ Francillon 1982, pp. 103–104.
  5. ^ Francillon 1982, pp. 105–106.
  6. ^ Francillon 1982, p. 106.

Bibliography[edit]

  • Francillon, René J. Lockheed Aircraft since 1913. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1987. ISBN 0-87021-897-2.
  • Layman, R. D. (1993). "Question 15/91: Early USN Aircraft". Warship International. XXX (3): 318. ISSN 0043-0374.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lockheed Model 8 Sirius.
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