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"Lady Lodestar" | |
| On August 13, 2005, our C-60 suffered a hydraulic failure upon landing at the Hampton Roads Airport in Chesapeake, VA. The aircraft ran off the end of the runway and went through a ditch which caused both landing gear to collapse. We are currently assessing the damage to the aircraft but our current estimates are that it will take about $200,000 and several years to get this aircraft back into the air. | |
  
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The Lockheed C-60 Lodestar was the designation given to 36 Model 18-56 twin-engine commercial airliners acquired from civilian sources early in World War II. The C-60 was used by the Army Air Force as a general personnel transport. C-60A designated the 325 aircraft built to specification as military paratroop transports. C-60A’s were also used as glider tugs, target tugs, navigation trainers, and cargo transports. 35 were transferred to the Navy and Marines, and designated as R5O-6. VIP aircraft, and cargo transports. Other models similar to the C-60 include the A-29 Hudson bomber and the Navy’s PV-1 Ventura anti-submarine patrol bomber.
For more pictures of the C-60, go to the Photo Gallery Specifications: Manufacturer: Lockheed Aircraft Co. Year: 1942 Length: 49 ft. 10 in., Height: 11 ft. 1 in. Wingspan: 65 ft. 6 in. Wing Area: 551 sq. ft. Empty Weight: 12,500 lbs. Gross Weight: 17,500 lbs. Max Weight: 21,000 lbs. Number of Engines: 2 Wright R-1820-71 Cyclone, 9 cylinder radial, air cooled, 1,200 h.p. each Range: 1,600 miles Passengers: 17 Crew: 3 Cruise Speed: 200 mph Max Speed: 253 mph Ceiling: 23,300 ft. History: Typical of the C-60s after WWII, the Old Dominion Squadron’s “Lady Lodestar” (N30N) was placed in commercial service. A private corporation donated our C-60 to the CAF in 1960. Assigned to the Old Dominion Squadron in 1986, our C-60 was restored to military configuration by members of the squadron between 1987 and 1991. An engine problem occurred during its first flight after overhaul, requiring replacement of the starboard engine in late 1992. “Lady Lodestar” began its air show career in early 1993. Our goal is to keep “Lady Lodestar” flying for the next 50 years. The design of the Lockheed 18 Lodestar followed on from the Lockheed 14 Super Electra. The first prototype was flown on 21 September 1939. Lockheed failed to achieve worthwhile sales in the United States since most operators were committed to purchase of the DC-3; however, there was wide overseas interest by export customers. After the U.S. entered World War II, the U.S. Army Air Force procured 325 Lodestars. Our Lockheed is the only one regularly operated by the Commemorative Air Force, and one of only a handful of others still flying. "Lady Lodestar" is also one of only a select few World War II transport aircraft certified to carry qualified jump teams like the 82nd Airborne and the Black Daggers. | |
| C-60 N30N Sponsors: |
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| Our POC for the C-60 is COL Craig Duck. | |
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