Lockheed Vega: The Century of Progress

The Legendary Lockheed Vega and Gatty & Post’s Record-Breaking Eight-Day Around-the-World Flight

The Lockheed Vega was one of the most famous aircraft of its time, a true pioneer in the world of aviation that broke numerous records and helped push the boundaries of long-distance air travel. Designed in the late 1920s, the Vega quickly earned a reputation for its rugged reliability, remarkable range, and the daring feats it helped pilots accomplish. Among the many legendary pilots who flew the Vega, two names stand out: Wiley Post and Harold Gatty, who made history with their groundbreaking eight-day flight around the world in 1931.

The Lockheed Vega: A Game-Changer in Aviation

The Lockheed Vega, designed by Jack Northrop and Allan Loughead, was a high-wing monoplane that boasted impressive aerodynamics for its time. Powered by a single radial engine and built from lightweight plywood, the Vega combined strength, speed, and endurance. First introduced in 1927, it quickly became the aircraft of choice for record-breaking pilots.

What made the Vega particularly special was its remarkable ability to handle long flights without sacrificing speed or reliability. The design allowed it to carry a significant amount of fuel, which made it ideal for long-distance flights across remote areas. It also had a streamlined design, which reduced drag and increased efficiency, enabling pilots to stay airborne longer than many other planes of its time.

Amelia Earhart made her historic solo transatlantic flight in a Lockheed Vega, as did other aviation greats. But no journey was as audacious or as ground-breaking as the around-the-world flight of Wiley Post and Harold Gatty in 1931.

Gatty & Post’s Record-Breaking Eight-Day Flight Around the World

Wiley Post, a former oil field roughneck turned pilot, was always seeking new ways to push the limits of aviation. Together with Harold Gatty, an Australian navigator known for his expertise in plotting complex courses, the duo set out to break the world record for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe by air. At the time, the world record was held by the German airship Graf Zeppelin, which had circled the globe in 21 days.

Post and Gatty were determined to beat this record, and they chose the Lockheed Vega, named Winnie Mae, for their mission. Winnie Mae was equipped with state-of-the-art navigation instruments for the time, including an autopilot and a radio direction finder, which allowed them to navigate through treacherous weather conditions and unfamiliar territories.

On June 23, 1931, Post and Gatty took off from Roosevelt Field, New York. Their journey was divided into several legs that took them across the Atlantic, Europe, Russia, and Asia, before finally returning to the United States. Some of the key stops included Berlin, Moscow, and Alaska. Along the way, they encountered a range of challenges, including unpredictable weather, fatigue, and mechanical issues. At one point, they even had to land on a frozen Siberian river to refuel.

Despite these challenges, Post and Gatty completed their journey in just eight days, 15 hours, and 51 minutes, arriving back at Roosevelt Field on July 1, 1931. Their incredible feat captured the imagination of the public and solidified their place in aviation history.

The Impact of Their Flight

The significance of Post and Gatty’s flight cannot be overstated. Not only did they shatter the previous record for circumnavigation, but their journey also demonstrated the potential of air travel on a global scale. The Lockheed Vega, with its rugged design and cutting-edge technology, proved to be a reliable partner in this daring mission, and it became an iconic aircraft as a result.

Their success also paved the way for future advancements in aviation. Wiley Post, ever the innovator, would later go on to make the first solo flight around the world in 1933, again in the trusty Winnie Mae. Post would also become a pioneer in high-altitude flight, developing one of the first pressurized flight suits that allowed him to fly higher than ever before.

The Century of Progress

Two years after Post and Gatty’s legendary flight, James Mattern and Bennett Griffin attempted to surpass their record using a Lockheed Vega dubbed the Century of Progress. As the newspaper clipping highlights, Mattern and Griffin’s plane flew over Bennett Field, New York, en route to Albany as part of a preliminary flight in February 1933, a test for their upcoming around-the-world attempt. Though their attempt would not match the success of Post and Gatty’s, it demonstrated the continued influence of the Lockheed Vega in aviation’s golden age of exploration and record-setting flights.

A Legacy of Innovation and Exploration

The Lockheed Vega remains one of the most iconic airplanes of early aviation history, largely thanks to the bold endeavors of pilots like Wiley Post and Harold Gatty. Their groundbreaking eight-day circumnavigation of the globe captured the spirit of adventure that defined the 1930s—a time when humanity was constantly pushing the boundaries of what was possible.

As we look back on the history of aviation, it’s clear that the Lockheed Vega played a pivotal role in proving that the skies could be conquered, not just in short hops but on a global scale. And the incredible achievements of Wiley Post and Harold Gatty will forever be etched into the annals of history as a testament to human ingenuity, determination, and the power of flight.

In honor of these daring pioneers and the mighty Lockheed Vega, let’s take a moment to appreciate how far aviation has come and the role that these early adventurers played in shaping the future of air travel. Their legacy lives on in every plane that takes to the skies today, continuing to inspire generations of pilots, explorers, and dreamers.

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