Lockheed 12

The Lockheed Model 12 Electra Junior, produced by the Lockheed Corporation from 1936 to 1941, was a compact, twin‑engine transport that filled the niche between the single‑engine Vega and the larger Model 10 Electra. Designed under the direction of chief engineer Clarence “Kelly” Johnson, the aircraft first flew on 23 May 1936 and quickly attracted customers seeking a fast, reliable liaison plane. Powered by two 450‑hp Pratt & Whitney R‑985 Wasp Junior radial engines, the Model 12 could cruise at 225 mph, carry up to five passengers or a small cargo load, and offered a 1,200‑mile range with a retractable landing gear—a novelty for its class.

Key features included all‑metal stressed‑skin construction, a low‑wing layout that provided excellent stability, and a spacious cabin equipped with comfortable seating and optional radio navigation gear. Its nimble handling made it popular with corporate operators, air‑mail services, and several foreign air forces, most notably the Royal Air Force, which used it for liaison and training.

The Lockheed 12’s significance lies in demonstrating that a small twin‑engine aircraft could deliver commercial‑airline performance, influencing later designs such as the Model 14 Super Electra and paving the way for Lockheed’s dominance in the burgeoning post‑war aviation market.

Lockheed Corporation

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