Lockheed C.56/C.60 Lodestar
History
Because of the great success of the Douglas DC-3 the Lockheed 14 Super Electra was not a commercial success for Lockheed, despite the better performance of the Super Electra. The DC-3 proofed to be more economical than the Super Electra.
The Lockheed 18 Lodestar was developed as a response to these shortcomings of the Lockheed 14. The fuselage was extended by 167.67 inches, so two additional rows of seats could be added. Lockheed hoped therefore that the Lodestar would be of more economical interest for the airlines.
The prototype, an extended Lockheed 14 Super Electra, first flew in September 1939.
The Lodestar received his (American) type certification in late March 1940. The additional seats contributed greatly to the reduction of the cost per passenger-kilometer, which came out at the same level as the DC-3.
Despite more than 30 examples were sold to American airlines the DC-3 had already obtained a large part of the market. Outside the United States were the sales were better, the NEIAF bought 29 examples: twenty Model 18-40 plus nine Model 18-50.
Several sub-types were built, mainly differing in the engines.
The USAAF and USN were the largest customers purchasing the Lodestar under the designation C-60, respectively R5O for transport of troops or paratroopers. When the United States were involved in the war, civilian aircraft were claimed under the designation C-56.
The RAF and RAAF purchased the Lodestar under Lend-lease conditions.
Production ended in January 1944 after a number of 625 lodestars being produced, the last device was intended for the USAF.
Kawasaki built a stretched version as Ki-56, of which 121 examples were used until the end of the war.
After the war the type was widely used as business aircraft and various modifications were also devised.
Versions.
- Model 18-07:
- with two Pratt & Whitney Hornet S1E2-G engines rated 875 hp each; 25 examples built plus two prototypes.
- C-56A: one claimed example with two Pratt & Whitney R-1690-54 engines.
- XR5O-1: One Model 18-07, for the US Navy for evaluation purposes, with two Wright R-1820-40 engines rated 1200 hp each.
- R5O-1: Two examples built for USN plus one for US Coast Guard; equipped with two Wright R-1820-97 rated 1200 hp each.
- C-56C: Twelve claimed Model 18-07s.
- C-59: Ten examples built for RAF with two Pratt & Whitney R-1690-25 Hornet engines; RAF designation Lodestar IA.
- R5O-2: One example of the C-59 equipped with two Pratt & Whitney R-1690-25 engines rated 875 hp each.
- Model 18-08:
- 33 examples built, equipped with two Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp S1C3-G engines rated 1200 hp each.
- C-56D: Seven examples of claimed Model 18-08s.
- C-57B: Seven examples for transport of troops for USAF .
- Model 18-10:
- 39 examples built, equipped with two Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp S1C3-G engines rated 1200 hp each.
- R5O-3: Three examples, originally for VIP transport , equipped with two Pratt & Whitney R-1830-34A rated 1200 hp each.
- Model 18-14:
- 4 examples built, equipped with two Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp S4C4-G engines rated 1200 hp each.
- C-57: Model 18-14 equipped with two Pratt & Whitney R-1830-53 engines rated 1200 hp each; for USAAF
- Model 18-40:
- 26 examples built; equipped with two Wright Cyclone G-1820-G104A engines rated 1200 hp each.
- C-56B: Thirteen claimed examples with two Wright 1820-97 engines
- C-56E: Two in 1943 claimed Model 18-40s.
- Model 18-50:
- 13 examples built, equipped with two Wright Cyclone G-1820-G202A engines rated 1200 hp each.
- C-56: evaluation built for USAAF
- Model 18-56:
-
- C-60: 35 examples of Model 18-56 equipped with two Wright R-1820-87 engines; some went to RAF as Lodestar II.
- C-60A: 325 examples of the C-60, for transport for parachutists.
- C-57C: three C-60A equipped with two Pratt & Whitney R-1830-51.
- C-57D: One C-57C equipped with two Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92.
- R5O-6: USN version of the C-60A for the US Marines; 35 examples built.
- XC-60B: One C-60A with experimental de-icing.
- C-57C: three C-60A equipped with two Pratt & Whitney R-1830-51.
- C-60A: 325 examples of the C-60, for transport for parachutists.
- R5O-4: Twelve examples of a Seven seat VIP version equipped with two Wright R-1820-40 rated 1200 hp each. 12 examples built.
- R5O-5: USN version equipped with two Wright R-1820-40 engines rated 1200 hp each; Further identical to R5O-4, with 14 seats. 38 examples built plus three ex NEIAF machines.
. - C-60: 35 examples of Model 18-56 equipped with two Wright R-1820-87 engines; some went to RAF as Lodestar II.
| Dimensions: | |||
| Length: | 15,19 m | Wingspan: | 19,96 m |
| Height: | 3,6 m | Wing area: | 51,2 m2 |
| Weights: | |||
| Empty weight: | 5300 kg | Max. start weight: | 8000 kg |
| Performances: | |||
| Max. speed: | - km/hr | Climbing speed: | 8 min to 3000 m |
| Cruising speed: | - km/hr | ||
| Range: | 2100 km | Service ceiling: | 7140 m |
| Miscellaneous: | |||
| Engine type: | Two Wright Cyclone GR-1820-G105 rated 1100 hp each | ||
| Crew: | Four men | ||
| Passengers | 14 - 18 passengers | ||
| Dimensions: | |||
| Length: | 15,19 m | Wingspan: | 19,96 m |
| Height: | 3,6 m | Wing area: | 51,2 m2 |
| Weights: | |||
| Empty weight: | 5300 kg | Max. start weight: | 8000 kg |
| Performances: | |||
| Max. speed: | - km/hr | Climbing speed: | 8 min to 3000 m |
| Cruising speed: | - km/hr | ||
| Range: | 2100 km | Service ceiling: | 7140 m |
| Miscellaneous: | |||
| Engine type: | Two Wright Cyclone GR-1820-G205A rated 1200 hp each | ||
| Crew: | Four men | ||
| Passengers | 14 - 18 passengers | ||
Information about Dutch aircraft.
Lockheed L-18-40 Lodestar
| Serial
Serial
|
Constr. nr.
Constr. nr.
|
Date in service
Date in service
|
Date out of service
Date out of service
|
Notes
notes
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LT906 | 2101 | |||
| LT907 | 2102 | 17-03-1942 | Handed over to USAF; To 374th Troop Carrier Group, 22nd Troop Carrier Squadron; Received Australian registration VH-CAA; Later type designation changed in C-56B and the aircraft received serial 42-68347. (Still exists?) See also Adastron.com |
|
| LT908 | 18-2103 | 17-03-1942 | Handed over to USAF; To 374th Troop Carrier Group, 22nd Troop Carrier Squadron; Received Australian registration VH-CAB; Later type designation changed in C-56B and the aircraft received serial 42-68348. See also Adastron.com |
|
| LT909 | 2104 | 17-03-1942 | Handed over to USAF; To 374th Troop Carrier Group, 22nd Troop Carrier Squadron; Received Australian registration VH-CAC; Later type designation changed in C-56B and the aircraft received serial 42-68349. See also Adastron.com |
|
| LT910 | 2105 | 1947 | Us in Australia by NEI Transport Squadron; 119 Sqn based at Canberra Scrapped at Biak |
|
| LT911 | 2106 | 02-1942 | During 1941 used by B Flight 8 Sqn RAAF based at Kuantan, Malaya 02 -1942 destroyed |
|
| LT912 | 2107 | |||
| LT913 | 2108 | |||
| LT914 | 2109 | 17-03-1942 | Handed over to USAF; To 374th Troop Carrier Group, 22nd Troop Carrier Squadron; Received Australian registration VH-CAD; Later type designation changed in C-56B and the aircraft received serial 42-68350. See also Adastron.com |
|
| LT915 | 2110 | 17-03-1942 | Arrived at Darwin in march 1942; Most probably scrapped | |
| LT916 | 2120 | 17-03-1942 | Handed over to USAF; To 374th Troop Carrier Group, 22nd Troop Carrier Squadron; Received Australian registration VH-CAE; Later type designation changed in C-56B and the aircraft received serial 42-68351. See also Adastron.com |
|
| LT917 | 2121 | 17-03-1942 | Handed over to USAF; To 374th Troop Carrier Group, 22nd Troop Carrier Squadron; Received Australian registration VH-CAF; Later type designation changed in C-56B and the aircraft received serial 42-68352. See also Adastron.com 
Lodestar LT-917. [op adastron.com]
|
|
| LT918 | 2122 | 03-03-1942 | Destroyed during attack on Broome | |
| LT919 | 2123 | 17-03-1942 | Handed over to USAF; To 374th Troop Carrier Group, 22nd Troop Carrier Squadron; Received Australian registration VH-CAG; Later type designation changed in C-56B and the aircraft received serial 42-68353. See also Adastron.com |
|
| LT920 | 2124? | |||
| LT921 | 2125 | 17-03-1942 | Handed over to USAF; To 374th Troop Carrier Group, 22nd Troop Carrier Squadron; Received Australian registration VH-CAH; Later type designation changed in C-56B and the aircraft received serial 42-68354. See also Adastron.com |
|
| LT922 | 2126 | 17-02-1942 | DC-3 VH-ACB ran into LT-922 (and also hit a USAAC B-17 41-2430) at Archerfield. The Lodestar was badly damaged and had to be scrapped..
Lodestar LT-922, damaged. [at adastron.com]
|
|
| LT923 | 2127 | 17-03-1942 | Handed over to USAF; To 374th Troop Carrier Group, 22nd Troop Carrier Squadron; Received Australian registration VH-CAI; Later type designation changed in C-56B and the aircraft received serial 42-68355. See also Adastron.com |
|
| LT924 | 2128 | 17-03-1942 | Handed over to USAF; To 374th Troop Carrier Group, 22nd Troop Carrier Squadron; Received Australian registration VH-CAJ; Later type designation changed in C-56B and the aircraft received serial 42-68356. See also Adastron.com |
|
| LT925 | 2129 | 17-03-1942 | Handed over to USAF; To 374th Troop Carrier Group, 22nd Troop Carrier Squadron; Received Australian registration VH-CAK; Later type designation changed in C-56B and the aircraft received serial 42-68357. See also Adastron.com |
Lockheed L-18-56 Lodestar
| Serial
Serial
|
Constr. nr.
Constr. nr.
|
Date in service
Date in service
|
Date out of service
Date out of service
|
Notes
notes
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LT931 | 2507 | Ex-USAAC 42-56034. Under Lend lease conditions to ML-KNIL (NEIAF). See www.adastron.com | ||
| LT932 | 2553 | 18-05-1944 ?? | Ex-USAAC 42-56060. In May 1944 under Lend lease conditions to ML-KNIL (NEIAF). See www.adastron.com | |
| LT933 | 2603 | Ex-USAAC 43-16443. Under Lend lease conditions to ML-KNIL (NEIAF). See www.adastron.com | ||
| LT934 | 2608 | 1944?? | Ex-USAAC 43-16448. Under Lend lease conditions to ML-KNIL (NEIAF). See www.adastron.com | |
| LT935 | 2618 | Ex-USAAC 43-16458. Under Lend lease conditions to ML-KNIL (NEIAF). See www.adastron.com | ||
| LT936 | 2621 | Ex-USAAC 43-16461. Under Lend lease conditions to ML-KNIL (NEIAF). See www.adastron.com |
1/72nd Scale
Kits
- Special Hobby
- Kit SH72295: Lockheed C60 Lodestar "Pacific Transport")
- Kit SH72112: Lockheed C60 Lodestar
- For an extensive building report (in Dutch) of the kit, click here.
Modelling add-on
- AirModel
- Set 39: Conversion set for Airfix Hudson.
- Aeroclub
- Set E025: Wright Cyclone 1820 G Srs
- Aires
- Set 7092: Wright R1820 cyclone engine
Also other engine sets are available, but I'm not sure about the type of the engine, some state Wright Cyclone R1820 or just Wright Cyclone.
Decals
- Dutch Decal
- Set 72002: Set for several ML-KNIL-aircraft such as Lodestar: LT919 with orange triangle.
- Set 72067: Set for several ML-KNIL-aircraft:Lodestar, C47, B25D/J Mitchell, K57 "Topsy", L4J, Fokker CX RNEIAF, Kansan, B25G Mitchell RNMFS.
- FlevoDecal
- Set FD72-012: ML KNIL 1939-1942: A set decals containing decal for five different Brewster Buffaloes plus Curtiss Hawk 75, Curtis CW-22, Curtiss CW-22, Lockheed Lodestar, Ryan STm; Lockheed 12, Bücker Bu131 Messerschmidt Me-108 and martin WH-1 and Wh-2.
1/48th Scale
Kits
- --
- Kit --: ---
Modelling add-on
- --
- Set --: --
Decals
- --
- Set --: --
td>
| Scheme | Colour name | FS number | BS number | Humbrol | XtraColor | Vallejo ModelColor | Vallejo ModelAir | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard #1 | Upper surfaces | Oud blad/US Olive Drab 41 | ~4088 | 66 | X111 | 70.887 | ||
| Jong blad/US Medium Green 42 | ~4092 | 149 | X114 | 70.885 ? | 71.014 | |||
| Undersides | Aluminium dope | ~7179 | 191 / 56 | X216 | 70.864 | 71.062 | ||
| Standard #2 [only C.60 Lodestar] |
Upper surfaces | US Olive Drab 41 | ~4088 | 66 | X111 | 70.887 | ||
| Undersides | Neutral Grey Shade 43 | ~4092 | Mix: 1*156 + 1*34 (/ 176) | X133/X207 | 70.992 | 71.097 | ||
Lockheed L18-40/C.56 Lodestar:first scheme with orange triangles.
Lockheed L18-40/C.56 Lodestar: second scheme with flags as national insignia applied from February 1942 and on.
Lockheed L18-56/C.60 Lodestar: in het USAF schema.
Literature.
| Militaire Luchtvaart in Nederlandsch-Indië in beeld Deel 2 | Hugo Hooftman | Pag. 47 - 55 | 1981 | Uitgever: Europese Bibliotheek, Zaltbommel |
| The Royal Netherlands Military Flying School 1942-1944 Bijdrage tot de Geschiedenis van het Zeewezen deel 16 | O.G. Ward & Boer, P.C. | Pag. 131 - | 1982 | Uitgever: Afdeling Maritieme Historie van Min.v.Def., 's Gravenhage |
| 40 Jaar luchtvaart in Indië | Gerard Casius & Thijs Postma | Pag. 63 | 1986 | Uitgeverij De Alk, Alkmaar |
| Luchtvaartwereld; 8e jaargang nummer 10: Lockheed Lodestar. | Gerard Casius | Pag. 287 - 295 | 1991 | Uitgeverij Ten Brink, Meppel |
| Squadrons van de Koninklijke Luchtmacht (derde herzien druk) | Willem Helfferich | Pag. 18 - | 1994 | Uitgevers Wyt, Rotterdam |
| Modelbouw in Plastic jaargang 18, nummer 1: Ombouw Lockheed Hudson tot Lockheed Lodestar | Fred Bachofner | Pag. 10 - 12 | 1989 | Uitgever: I.P.M.S. Nederland, Nederland |
Websites.
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