Lockheed Lodestar
|
|
|
Lockheed L18-08 Lodestar (1939)
These American built airliners were ordered by SAA shortly before the outbreak of World War Two. Upon delivery the majority were taken over by the SAAF. After the war a total of 19 saw service with SAA, the last one of the type being sold in 1955. A surviving example, ZS-ASN, was donated to SAA in 1973 and is resplendent in 1940s livery at the SAA Museum Society complex at Rand Airport.
Normal passenger load: 12
ZS-ASJ, ASK, ASL (SAAF), ASM, ASN, ASO, ASP, ASR, AST, ASS, ASU, ASV, ASW, ASX, ASY, ASZ, ATA, ATB, ATC, ATD, ATE, ATF, ATG, ATH, ATI, ATJ, ATK, ATL, ATM (highlighted aircraft never joined the SAAF) AST was used by SAR&H administration and ATL was used by SAA for airline use, ATH was lost during the delivery flight.
Aircraft names at end of article.
Modelling
The following kits have been produced over the years that will allow the modeller to build a model of this aircraft.
Many years ago many modellers have based their Lodestar models on a highly modified Airfix Hudson kit.
Airmodel released a vac-u-form fuselage conversion to ease the modeller’s burden. Not that seems to have been all that successful either. (see for details)
Special Hobby has made life a lot easier for the modeller when they released their injection moulded kit. Note though that this kit is not without its own issues and if the modeller uses scale drawings to make up his own decals they will not line up with the models windows.
But the greatest challenge for the modeller would be that the engine cowlings that are provided in the kit are for the Wright Cyclone engined version. The kit does provide the Pratt and Whitney engines but not the cowlings. The SAA modeller would therefore need to acquire cowlings from a suitable donor kit to replace those supplied by Special Hobby.
ColoursScheme one
Natural metal overall with Dark Blue trim on top of the cowlings with a pin stripe and a fuselage cheat line below the windows. The tail fins had a blue band on both the inner and outer faces. SAA logo carried on nose and the aircraft had SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS (right) /SUID AFRIKAANSE LUGDIENS (left) struck through by a blue band with wings enclosing the airlines name. This band had a black pin stripe to it. The Aircraft registration was carried in large letters on the rear fuselage as well as above and below the main wings. No national flag was carried at this time.
Scheme Two
Natural metal overall with Dark Blue trim on top of the cowlings with a pin stripe and a fuselage cheat line below the windows. The tail fins had a blue band on both the inner and outer faces. SAA logo carried on nose and the aircraft had SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS (right) /SUID AFRIKAANSE LUGDIENS (left) struck through by a blue band with wings enclosing the airlines name. This band had a black pin stripe to it. A fluttering national flag appeared on the outer fin faces only and the aircraft registration was painted between the flag and the blue band. Initially the aircraft registration was carried in large letters on the fuselage but this was changed to small letters on the tail fin between the flag and the band.
This scheme has also been illustrated in natural metal overall with Cerulean Blue trim on top of the cowlings with a pin stripe and a fuselage cheat line below the windows. Most notably by the SAA Museum aircraft after they were restored. It is possible that the colours used are incorrect or suffered from fading in the sun.
Decals
At the time of writing no dedicated decals have been produced to allow the modeller to build an SAA operated Lodestar. Although being plain black registration codes and airline titles it should not be too difficult to reproduce them. The modeller will have difficulty with SAA’s badge though as to date no decal manufacturer produces the early SAA winged wheel with a Springbok in it.
