United States' FlagUnited States' Army Air Corps aircraft marking

United States' Lockheed C-56 Lodestar, C-60 Lodestar transport

Photos

Lockheed C-56C Lodestar transport, Cairo, 1942:
United States' Lockheed C-56C Lodestar transport, Cairo, 1942		 Lockheed C-57 Lodestar transport:
United States' Lockheed C-57 Lodestar transport
Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook 		Lockheed C-57 Lodestar transport:
United States' Lockheed C-57 Lodestar transport
Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook 		 
Lockheed Lodestar transport:
United States' Lockheed Lodestar transport		      

Design

The Lockheed Lodestar was developed from the Model 14 Super Electra and Hudson series.1,2 Initially produced as a civilian transport.1

Most airlines were going to buy the Douglas DC-3.1 There were 96 orders for export purchases.1 When the war started it was decided to be used by the military.1

Prototype

The Lodestar prototype first flew on September 21, 1939.1

The United States military ordered four planes in May 1941.2 In 1942 an order was placed for 325 C-60 Lodestars.2

Production

  • Lockheed C-56: 11
  • Lockheed C-57: 131
  • Lockheed C-60A: 3251
  • Lockheed R50-4: 121
  • Lockheed R50-5: 411
  • Lockheed R50-6: 351
  • Total: 6251

Variants

  • Lockheed C-56: US Army.3 Cyclone engines.1
  • Lockheed C-57: US Army.3 Twin Wasp engines.1,3
  • Lockheed C-59 / Lodestar Mk I: US Army.3
  • Lockheed C-60 / Lodestar Mk II: US Army.3
  • Lockheed C-60A: Major production version.1 Cyclone engines.1
  • Lockheed C-66:
  • Lockheed C-111:
  • Lockheed R50: US Navy.3
  • Lockheed R50-1: US Navy.1
  • Lockheed R50-2: US Navy.1
  • Lockheed R50-3: US Navy.1
  • Lockheed R50-4: US Navy.1
  • Lockheed R50-5: US Navy.1
  • Lockheed R50-6: US Navy.1

Usage

The Lodestar was used by Australia, Britain, Netherlands, South Africa, and the United States.1

Start of World War II

The civilian versions of the Lodestar were requisitioned after the start of World War II.2

Britain

The Royal Air Force (RAF) used the Lodestar in four squadrons operating in the Middle East.1 They were used as transport and air ambulances.1

Specifications

  Lockheed Lodestar Lockheed C-56 Lodestar Lockheed C-60A
Type Transport1,3 Transport2 Transport1
Crew   2 - 32  
Passengers 18: fully armed troops1 172 18: paratroopers1
OR 22: standard passengers1    
Payload 5,000 lb3    
Engine (Type) 2: Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp3
2: Pratt & Whitney R-1690 Hornet1 		2: Wright R-1820-71 Cyclone2  
OR 2: Wright R-1820 Cyclone1    
OR 2: Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp1    
Cylinders Cyclone: Radial 91
Wasp: Radial 141 		Radial 92  
Cooling   Air2  
HP Hornet: 850 - 875 each1
Cyclone: 1,100 - 1,200 each1
Wasp: 1,050 each3, 1,200 each1 		1,200 each2  
Propeller blades 3 each1    
Capacity      
Dimensions      
Span 65' 6"1,3
19.96 m1 		65' 6"2  
Length 49' 9"3, 49' 10"1
15.19 m1 		49' 10"2  
Height 11' 10"1,3
3.61 m1 		11' 1"2  
Wing area      
Weight      
Empty     12,075 lb1
5,477 kg1
Loaded   17,500 lb2 18,500 lb1
5,639 kg1
Performance      
Speed 275 mph3 253 mph2  
Speed @ 17,000' /
5,180 m 		    266 mph1
428 kph1
Cruising speed     200 mph1
322 kph1
Climb to 10,000 ' /
3,048 m 		    6.6 minutes1
Service ceiling   23,300'2 30,000'1
9,144 m1
Range 1,700 miles3 1,600 miles2 1,660 miles1
2,671 km1

Sources:

  1. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
  2. World War II Airplanes Volume 2, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976
  3. Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook, Ensign L. C. Guthman, 1943