The fifth production V-1A (NC13768) delivered to American Airlines in the autumn of 1934.
The Lockheed Orion and Vultee V-1a were among the advanced single-engine low-wing designs that demonstrated the ability of the US aircraft industry to achieve good ratios of useful load to max take-off weight in the mid-thirties.

Continuing to demonstrate its world lead in the design of economically superior airliners, the US industry produced such types as the Boeing 247D (shown) and Douglas DC-2.

The Lockheed Orion (shown) and Vultee V-1a were among the advanced single-engine low-wing designs that demonstrated the ability of the US aircraft industry to achieve good ratios of useful load to max take-off weight in the mid-thirties.

Attempting to catch up with the Americans, Britain developed the Short C-Class flying boats, but had to resort to air-to-air refuelling to achieve non-stop flights from Eire to Newfoundland.

Continuing to demonstrate its world lead in the design of economically superior airliners, the US industry produced such types as the Boeing 247D and Douglas DC-2 (shown).

Attempting to catch up with the Americans, Britain developed the Short C-Class flying boats (shown), but had to resort to air-to-air refuelling to achieve non-stop flights from Eire to Newfoundland.

In the five years leading up to World War II, the US manufacturers produced a series of flying boats for long-distance commercial operation, demonstrating a substantial lead over the rest of the world. They included the Boeing 314 (shown), the Sikorsky S-42 and Martin's M-130 "China Clipper" which, in 1934, entered service to operate a transpacific airmail service.

In the five years leading up to World War II, the US manufacturers produced a series of flying boats for long-distance commercial operation, demonstrating a substantial lead over the rest of the world. They included the Boeing 314, the Sikorsky S-42 (shown) and Martin's M-130 "China Clipper" which, in 1934, entered service to operate a transpacific airmail service.

In the five years leading up to World War II, the US manufacturers produced a series of flying boats for long-distance commercial operation, demonstrating a substantial lead over the rest of the world. They included the Boeing 314, the Sikorsky S-42 and Martin's M-130 (shown) "China Clipper" which, in 1934, entered service to operate a transpacific airmail service.