vega

Lindbergh never owned NC7428. When the photo was taken it owned by Continental Air Express (C A E under the starboard wing) Lindbergh flew a lot of Lockheeds, so why not this one, but he is not recorded as ever having owned it. Stig

The Lockheed Y1C-12 was a single example of a DL-1 'Vega' that was purchased for evacuation by the USAAC during 1930. The aircraft was given the military serial umber 31-405. This aircraft was evaluated as a possible fast command transport, and flew 999 hours between 1931 and May 1935, when it was scrapped without any further orders for the basic transport being placed. However the Y1C-12 was significant as the first Lockheed designed aircraft to be purchased by the US military.

Here is a link to British Pathe footage of Charles Lindbergh flying this very aircraft (TWA, Lockheed DL-1 Vega, NC497H, c/n 135): YouTube: British Pathé - "Lindbergh Test Flight For Night Mail Aka Lindburgh Test Flight For Night Mail (1933)"

The DL-1 was a modernized version of the Lockheed Vega 5C and was developed by Detroit Aircraft. Three Detroit-Lockheed Model Ones (DL-1s) were assembled in Detroit, Michigan, with a duralumin fuselage made in the Michigan city and wooden wings made by Lockheed in Burbank. This aircraft, the first of the DL-1s, was completed in February 1930 and in June 1930, American aviatrix Amelia Earhart borrowed the aircraft and set three woman's speed and load records at Grosse Isle Airport, Detroit. 1000aircraftphotos.com/Contributions/LoopPat/4206.htm