Vultee V-1A Transport
Model Airplane News Cover Art for May, 1935
by Jo Kotula
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he Vultee V-1A was a 1930s American single-engined airliner designed by Gerard Vultee and built by the Airplane Development Corporation.

     

Vultee V-1A Transport
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The prototype (designated the V-1) was an all-metal low-wing cantilever monoplane with a retractable tailwheel landing gear. It had accommodation for a pilot and six passengers and first flew in 1933. The production aircraft were designated the V-1A and had a slightly larger and longer fuselage for two pilots and eight passengers. Production ended in 1936 after 24 aircraft had been built.

American Airlines bought eight V-1As and the prototype (after it had been modified for two pilot operation) and they entered service in 1934. By 1936 they were sold and replaced with twin-engined aircraft. A number of aircraft were operated by private companies or individuals. One was fitted with twin floats and sold to the Soviet Union. One aircraft was used in an attempt to make the first flight from New York to London to New York flight Seven former American Airlines aircraft were used by the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War, these aircraft had machine-guns and under-fuselage bomb racks fitted. Four of the aircraft were captured and used by the Nationalists.

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