Lockheed 5 Vega

[RayS]

This is the MPM 1/72 kit to be finished as the RAAF's only Lockheed 5 operated by them. In a previous life it was G-ABGK and then VH-UVK before being impressed into RAAF service in November 1941. It was damaged in a ground accident in mid 1942, repaired, and then eventually scrapped in 1945 after being surplus to RAAF requirements.

[hrtpaul]

That looks cool mate

[VH-WAL]

Vega DL-1A: NC372E/G-ABFE/G-ABGK/VH-UVK/A42-1

A one-off special, based on the metal-fuselaged DL-1, was built by the Detroit Aircraft Corporation, and exported to the United Kingdom for Lt. Cmdr. Glen Kidston. It was initially registered in the UK as G-ABFE, then was re-registered as G-ABGK to incorporate Kidston's initials.[3] He used this Vega to set a record-breaking time from the UK to South Africa in April 1931. Following Kidston's death the following month, the aircraft was eventually sold to Australian airline owner Horrie Miller for entry by him into the MacRobertson Air Race. Piloted in the race by Miller's Chief Pilot, Capt. Jimmy Woods, it overturned on landing at Aleppo en route, whereupon Woods withdrew from the race and the DL-1A was eventually shipped to Australia. Following repairs and re-registration to VH-UVK, the aircraft was used for charter and leisure flying by Miller, before being impressed by the Royal Australian Air Force in 1941. In 1944, the aircraft was transferred to the Dept. Civil Aviation. Via information from RAAF pilots, DCA declared the Vega to have serious pitch control problems and it would be scrapped. Attempts by James Woods to reclaim the aircraft were ignored, and it was destroyed in October 1945. It was the only Vega to operate in Australia.[3]

this is cut and paste from wikipedia, I had read this story before, Jimmy Woods sought compensation from the Commonwealth for years after (unsuccessfully), he didnt get a brass razoo for it

[RayS]

Thanks for the history Wal, had read similar on ADF Serials.

So it is done. There is no known image of it in RAAF guise except for an entry in the aircraft log that is was painted into camouflage colours at 1AD. So looking at another similar type (Stinson Reliant) which pictures do exist of, I decided on a foliage green over sky scheme with basic national markings. Decals came from a Venture P-40 sheet where I found an A29 serial with the appropriate numbers to make up A42-1. The only mods were to change the shape of the exhausts, leave off the cooling intake at the rear of the cowl and modify the kit pitot probe.