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| Explorer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Exploration |
| National origin | United States of America |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed |
| Number built | 4 |
| History | |
| Developed from | Lockheed Vega |
TheLockheed Explorer was the least successful wooden airplane design produced by theLockheed Aircraft Company. TheVega fuselage was combined with a cantilevered low wing. Seating for a single pilot was provided in an open cockpit behind the wings.
Work on the Explorer was commenced in 1927 forSir Hubert Wilkins as an aircraft for use in exploration ofAntarctica. However, this configuration was judged impractical, and Wilkins opted to use a Vega equipped with floats instead. The incomplete aircraft was brought out of storage to make an attempt at a nonstop flight between Japan and the United States, funded by lumber dealer John Buffelen and members of theTacoma Chamber of Commerce. NamedCity of Tacoma, the first Pacific crossing attempt ended in disaster when overfilled fuel tanks spilled over on takeoff. Two subsequent attempts in newer Explorers also met with failure.
The wing of a wrecked Explorer was fitted to the fuselage of anOrion by aviatorWiley Post, resulting in an Orion-Explorer hybrid variously referred to as 'Wiley's Bastard' and 'Aurora', though Post himself referred to the aircraft only by its serial number. The aircraft, nose-heavy, crashed after its engine failed shortly after takeoff nearPoint Barrow, Alaska on August 15, 1935, taking the lives of Post and humoristWill Rogers.
Lockheed built a total of four Explorers, all of which were destroyed in crashes.
Data from Lockheed Aircraft since 1913[1]
General characteristics
Performance
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