Volume 28 #2, Issue 130

LOCKHEED’S GOLDEN AGE GENERATION

With the Vega conquering time and distance and writing itself in aviation history, Lockheed concentrated on its core business of commercial airlines - carrying passengers, mail and cargo across the US and further afield. Of course individuals still used these aircraft to chase glory and some remarkable feats were accomplished along the way. The Lockheed revolution in the Golden Age era had begun with the high wing Vega and followed with the parasol wing Air Express and specialised long distance Explorers, through to the Sirius made famous by the Lindberghs, the Altair and the low wing Orion. By making optimum use of the one basic design, Lockheed's Golden Age single engine machines were distinctive but easily identifiable. They were easily adapted to the whim of the owner and as a consequence nearly all these aircraft were unique in one way or another. Here we follow up on the previous Vega article and take a look at the aforementioned designs and those that survive.

TALKING TRIPE

The Fokker Dr.1 is without doubt one of the most well-known fighters of WWI, largely due to the all red machine flown by Manfred von Richthofen. However, it was preceded over the Front much earlier by a similar British type; the Sopwith Triplane. By comparison the ‘Tripe’ is relatively unknown, this in part to it not being appreciated for its impact given its low build numbers and short service history. In truth the Sopwith Triplane did, for several months, wrest air superiority from the German Air Service and scored a significant number of victories, earning considerable respect from its opponents. Here we take a look at its development and combat prowess and check out the two known survivors.

SOUTHERN SPEEDSTER

It has been over a decade since an example of Hawkers powerful Fury has flown in Australian skies. New South Wales based display pilot Paul Bennet pounced on an opportunity to change this. At the end of 2023 he purchased US based Reno Racer ‘Sawbones’ and had it shipped to Australia. It was only just over a week later it was flying in southern skies, reverting to a previous and more appropriate name – ‘Southern Cross.’
In this article we present an overview if the aircraft’s history and feature stunning air to air photography.

Mystery Aircraft...

With the defeat of the Central Powers in WWI, the Kingdom of Hungary had severe restrictions placed upon it, which, among other things, forbid the country to have an air force or to manufacture military aircraft. In the run up to WWII this ban had severely impacted the clandestine build up of military aircraft through to the formation of the independent Royal Hungarian Air Force in January, 1939. Development thereafter was able to continue, extremely late, but openly. A priority was training aircraft and it was local designer András Fábián who attempted to fill the void with his Levente aircraft. He was eventually able to get it into serial production, but struggled with government stalling tactics, material supplies and the war turning against the Axis powers. Over six decades later his great nephew decided that he would build an exact reproduction and fly it over Hungary - a living tribute. In this article we follow the journey of both men and their efforts to realise a dream.

Airshows: EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Pacific Airshow, Australia.