Aircraft Of The Month: Vultee V1A

Starring the Vultee V-1AD Special!
The V-1A was built in 1934 for American Airlines to serve as an airliner but was soon taken out of commercial service to be used as an executive aircraft. 9 deluxe versions in all were produced.

The Shannon Air Museum's Vulttee V-1AD (NC1099) Lady Peace ll is the only surviving in the world today!!

Previous airport owner Sidney Shannon Jr. had obtained the Vultee to add to his priceless collection of aircraft. In honor of his father, he opened a museum in 1976.
The museum had closed in 1985 and the aircraft were moved to the VA Aviation Museum Richmond until just recently.

The hard work and dedication of the Shannon Airport owner Luke Curtas and the Shannon Airport team made it possible to bring the museum aircraft back home including the Vultee V-1AD!

The V-1A was Jerry Vultee's 1st design!

The Lady Peace ll was owned by newspaper publisher William Randal Hearst for the purpose of flying his movie star girlfriend to fly home at night after filming. Many of the movie stars of that time flew to parties in the Vultee!

Aviation pioneer and experienced pilot Dick Merril and Harry Richmond flew the Vultee across the Atlantic, filling it with 41,000 ping pong balls so that if the Vultee ditched in the ocean, it would float!

Some specs on the Vultee:

Engine: Wright Cyclone R-1820, 735 to 850hp, air-cooled radial engine.
Dates Produced: 1934-1937
Original Cost: $35,000 (V-1A)
Carriage: 8 passengers plus the crew
Useful Load: 3,118lb
Fuel Capacity: 206 gal
Max Speed: 225mph
Range: 1,200 miles
Fuel Burn at cruise: 70 gallons per hour

Visit the Shannon Air Musuem at: http://www.shannonairmuseum.com/vultee-v1a to learn more!