One of the most classic designs in the aeronautical field came into being in 1931 with the advent of the Lockheed Model 9 series - - the "Orion". These aircraft were the last in the remarkable series of "wooden wonders". The success of the earlier high wing Lockheed "Vega" line, which made its debut in 1927, brought about a succession of Lockheed and Detroit-Lockheed aircraft based on that outstanding design.
The first "Orion", c/n 168, X960Y (NC960Y) was completed in March 1931 and made its maiden flight the following month with chief test pilot Marshall Headle at the controls. Little trouble was encountered during the trials and speeds up to 225 mph were recorded. Like its predecessors, the "Orions" were made from the same basic mold and jigs. Construction was all wood, including plywood skin and a final, fine linen covering.
Advanced features included a full N.A.C.A. aluminum engine cowl over the 450 hp Pratt and Whitney "Wasp" engine. A fully retractable main landing gear was incorporated, the first designed and used on a commercial aircraft. This gear system was first worked out on a company "Sirius", demonstrated in September 1930 and incorporated in the first of the "Altair" line. A hand crank method of retraction was initially employed, but by the time of the "Orion" production, a hydraulic hand pump system had been developed. Six passengers could be carried in the fuselage although, admittedly, in rather confined quarters.
Many safe miles flown in airline service and headlines won by a few made, at the hands of expert speed pilots, proved the advanced design and reliability of the "Orion". Those that went into airline use as a passenger transport had their life span limited, however. In 1934 the Civil Aeronautics Authority issued a ruling prohibiting further use of single engine passenger aircraft from operating on all major networks. It also became mandatory to have a co-pilot and thus a two-seat cockpit arrangement on all such flights. The requirements of the ruling brought an end to the "Orion" as a passenger carrying airlines' airplane, but a number of leading lines converted their "Orions" to cargo or mail carrying machines exclusively. Others disposed of them and looked to new aircraft.
Some of these 'suddenly surplus' Orions were acquired by the Spanish Republican armed forces and used as fast transports and in some cases makeshift bombers. The Orion shown here represents one of two Cyclone-engined Orions that ended up in Spain as fast transports. With a top speed pushing 250 mph they could outrun all but the very fastest Fascist fighters. Of the four or five Orions that fought on the Republican side, none survived.
