Lockheed Saturn

The Lockheed Model 75 Saturn was a small, short-route commercial aircraft produced by the Lockheed Corporation in the mid-1940s. Lockheed announced the project on November 19, 1944.[1] The design team, led by Don Palmer, created a high-wing, twin-engine monoplane with 14 seats and a top speed of 228 mph (367 km/h). Lockheed touted the Saturn's capability to take on passengers and cargo without ramps or stairs, making it suitable for small-town airports with limited facilities.[2]

Model 75 Saturn
Role Airliner
National origin United States of America
Manufacturer Lockheed Corporation
First flight June 17, 1946
Status Prototype only
Number built 2

Tony LeVier piloted the first flight on June 17, 1946. Lockheed had received 500 conditional orders for this aircraft, priced at $85,000 each. But, by the time the design was completed, the selling price had risen to $100,000 and these orders had been cancelled, with war surplus C-47s filling the same market at a quarter the price. Lockheed lost $6 million from the development of the two prototypes, which were scrapped in 1948.

Specifications

Data from Francillon, p. 281

General characteristics

  • Crew: Two
  • Capacity: 14 passengers
  • Length: 56 ft 6 in (15.69 m)
  • Wingspan: 74 ft 0 in (22.56 m)
  • Height: 19 ft 10 in (6.05 m)
  • Wing area: 502 sq ft (46.6 m2)
  • Empty weight: 11,361 lb (5,153 kg)
  • Gross weight: 16,000 lb (7,257 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Wright 744C-7BA-1 seven cylinder radial engine, 700 hp (522 kW) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 198 kn (228 mph, 367 km/h) at sea level
  • Cruise speed: 163 kn (187 mph, 301 km/h)
  • Range: 522 nmi (600 mi, 965 km)
  • Service ceiling: 26,500 ft (8,075 m)
  • Rate of climb: 1,325 ft/min (6.7 m/s)

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lockheed Model 75 Saturn.
Notes
  1. United Press, “Lockheed Will Build Short-Haul Transport”, The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Monday 20 November 1944, Volume 51, page 1.
  2. "Pinup - Lockheed Saturn", January 1946, Popular Science bottom of page 96 with good photo on following page
Bibliography
  • Boyne, Walter J., Beyond the Horizons: The Lockheed Story. St. Martin's Press: New York, 1998.
  • Francillon, René J. Lockheed Aircraft since 1913. London:Putnam, 1982. ISBN 0-370-30329-6
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