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.
  • 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.
.

 

Technical information Lockheed L-18-40 Lodestar
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

 

Technical information Lockheed L-18-56 Lodestar
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
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
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 Lodestar 1 SMALL
Lockheed L18-40/C.56 Lodestar:first scheme with orange triangles.
Lockheed L18 40 Lodestar 2 SMALL
Lockheed L18-40/C.56 Lodestar: second scheme with flags as national insignia applied from February 1942 and on.
Lockheed L18 56 Lodestar 1 SMALL
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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