Today, the aviation industry is populated with a handful of big manufacturer names- but dominated by Boeing and Airbus, of course. Historically, you’ll likely have heard of Douglas (later McDonnell Douglas) and perhaps Fokker, among others. But for many, the name Vultee is a little more obscure. However, in its short history, it produced the V-1 and managed to sell the aircraft to American Airlines. Let’s take a closer look at the Vultee V-1.
Origins of the V-1
The V-1 was developed in the early 1930s by Gerard “Jerry” Freebairn Vultee and Vance Breese under their company known as the Airplane Development Corporation. This firm would go on to become a subsidiary of AVCO and be formally known as the Vultee Aircraft Division.
The V-1 in its prototype form, was an all-metal low-wing cantilever design. The monoplane aircraft had a retractable tailwheel landing gear and could accommodate six passengers and one pilot. First flying in 1933, it was subsequently ‘upsized’ to accommodate two pilots and eight passengers. This larger version, reportedly developed at the request of American Airlines, would be known as the V-1A.
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All-Aero.com notes that Sixteen V-1A and V1-AD ( “deluxe” executive models) were built from 1934 and priced at $35,000. Adjusted for inflation, this value would be equivalent to $734,342 in 2022. All-Aero also notes the following specifications for the aircraft:
- Engine: Wright R-1820-F2 Cyclone F2, 735hp
- Wingspan: 50’0″ (15.24m)
- Length: 37’0″ (11.28m)
- Useful load: 3168 lb (1.44t)
- Max speed: 235 mph (378kmph)
- Cruise: 215 mph (346kmph)
- Stall: 65 mph (104kmph)
- Range: 1000 mi (1609km)
- Ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,100m)
- Seats: 8-9
Operated by American Airlines
Although American Airlines makes no mention of the V-1A within its website’s history page, it’s noted in other sources that a number of the aircraft that were built went to…