Lockheed Model 12 Electra Junior (C-40, UC-40, JO-1, JO-2, XJO-3)
Technical Information
Background
The Lockheed Model 12 Electra Junior was designed and built by Lockheed as a smaller version of the Lockheed Model 10 Electra with eight seats for two crew and six passengers. Also known as the Lockheed 12 or simply L-12. On June 27, 1936 first flight by the prototype to qualify for a U.S. Bureau of Air Commerce design competition.
Two civilian Lockheed Model 12s were ordered by British Airways Ltd. were intended for covert military reconnaissance flights and modified with cameras then flown over Germany and Italy in the months prior to the start of World War II. One was registered as G-AFTL and was restored to flying condition.
A total of thirty-six were purchased by Militaire Luchtvaart van het Koninklijk Nederlands-Indisch Leger (ML-KNIL) Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force (NEIAF) that purchased a total of thirty-six including sixteen Model 212 for use as a bomber trainer armed with machine guns and under wing bomb racks. The other twenty were Model 12-26 transport versions.
The U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAF) purchased five Model 12A plus two others built that were designated C-40. In January 1943 redesignated UC-40.
Other variants included the C-40A / UC-40A, C-40B / UC-40B and C-40D / UC-40D used by the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF).
The U.S. Navy (USN) purchased five and had one built for them designated JO-1 and a six passenger version designated JO-2.
Also a single XJO-3 to test tricycle landing gear and for carrier landing tests and airborne radar. Finally, the R3O-2 a civilian Model 12A impressed into Navy service.
Production
Lockheed built a total of 130 Lockheed Model 12 Electra Junior. ending production in 1941.
Technical Details (Model 12A)
Crew Two (pilot and co-pilot)
Passengers Six
Engine 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior SB radial engines, 450 hp with two bladed propellers
Wingspan 49' 6"
Length 36' 4"
Height 9' 9"
Maximum Speed 225 mph at 5,000'
Range 800 miles
Passengers 6 passengers
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