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Going over the Lockheed and Vega Model Numbers and Temporary Design Numbers (both of which were distinct between the two until 1943), I have been puzzled by the mention of Vega's V-111 to V-114 temporary designations, and the Models 40 to 42, all of which refer to "target planes". Model 42 corresponds to design V-114, but I don't know about the rest. Only the 1939 Model 40 is mentioned in the following text which I found on the web:
Earlier, in August, 1937, Lockheed Aircraft had formed a subsidiary called the AiRover Company to build a small 5-passenger transport for the feeder air-line market called the Model 2 Starliner. It featured the Unitwin powerplant, a unique arrangement of two Menasco side-by-side engines driving a single propeller. It also featured a retractable tricycle landing gear. However, the plane was not a commercial success and only a few were built. In 1938, the subsidiary's name was changed to the Vega Airplane Company to perpetuate the famous Vega name. The second company design was the Model 40 ground-controlled target drone for the Army Air Corps, of which five were built and all of which were eventually lost.
This means that the USAAC already tested genuine target drones which weren't simply unmanned versions of existing airplanes! I would love to see what those early birds looked like. Who knows anything about them on this forum? Thanks for your answers!
Source: Daniel Haughton's biography on the National Aviation Hall of Fame website
http://nationalaviation.blade6.donet.com/components/content_manager_v02/view_nahf/htdocs/menu_ps.asp?NodeID=-1917716986&group_ID=1134656385&Parent_ID=-1
Earlier, in August, 1937, Lockheed Aircraft had formed a subsidiary called the AiRover Company to build a small 5-passenger transport for the feeder air-line market called the Model 2 Starliner. It featured the Unitwin powerplant, a unique arrangement of two Menasco side-by-side engines driving a single propeller. It also featured a retractable tricycle landing gear. However, the plane was not a commercial success and only a few were built. In 1938, the subsidiary's name was changed to the Vega Airplane Company to perpetuate the famous Vega name. The second company design was the Model 40 ground-controlled target drone for the Army Air Corps, of which five were built and all of which were eventually lost.
This means that the USAAC already tested genuine target drones which weren't simply unmanned versions of existing airplanes! I would love to see what those early birds looked like. Who knows anything about them on this forum? Thanks for your answers!
Source: Daniel Haughton's biography on the National Aviation Hall of Fame website
http://nationalaviation.blade6.donet.com/components/content_manager_v02/view_nahf/htdocs/menu_ps.asp?NodeID=-1917716986&group_ID=1134656385&Parent_ID=-1
