Correction to registration number for Lockheed 10-E

[Gary0302]

Hello all,

The Lockheed 10E shown in the link below, was actually registered as N355B (not N38BB). It is actually a Lockheed 10E (not a 10A), c/n 1042 (not 1026). I think that this photo was also taken by Paul (Tree) Mitcheltree.

http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/photo/001143337.html

I have attached another photo of the 10E while it was still based out of Zephyrhills Parachute Center. The aircraft was later purchased by Bobby Frierson and Gene Paul Thacker, where we used it for skydiving in North and South Carolina. Thanks.

[Helicopterfriend]

Made new profile and moved two pictures

Thanks for the heads up

Walt

[Gary0302]

Hi Walt,

Thanks for the quick reply. I have been trying to do some research on this aircraft, and it seems to have a very colorful history. If my initial findings are correct, Lockheed 10E c/n 1042 was originally registered as NC14972. It was then registered as XA-BCJ while flying for Mexicana de Aviacion. There is a chance that it flew for Pacific Alaska Airlines while being re-registered as NC14972. During it's service for Panair do Brasil, it was registered as PP-PAX, and after the fleet was taken over by VARIG, it was re-registered as PP-VAP. PBA (Provincetown Boston Airlines - Naples Airlines had it registered as N35PB, followed by skydiving services at Zephyrhills Parachute Center under registration N355B. Foot and hand rails were added to the fuselage from the door to the wing once it started dropping skydivers in North and South Carolina, while also having the pleasure of gracing the cover of Skies Call II (published by Andy Keech, first edition during March of 1979); one of the skydiving community's revered books of skydiving photography. A few photos of its trials and tribulations are attached.

[Helicopterfriend]

Some more information

N1602D 1935Lockheed 10-E Electra c/n 1042 PW R-1340 Muriel

08/03/1982 - New Jersey flight instructor Grace McGuire purchased the plane

N355B Transfered to Vikings of Denmark Inc. on October 1 1976 and operated by Raeford Parachute Center.

On September 15 1979 the aircraft was sold to Dolf Overton and stored at Wings and Wheels Museum in Orlando Florida.

N355B Bought on February 18 1970 by Zepherhills Parachute Center Florida. Reregistered.

N35PB 06/12/1957 - It was ferried to Martha's Vineyard on Cape Cod

N2068A Delievered On January 23 1956 PBA PP-VAP

Bought 04/20/1943 - Reregistered on 06/14/1943 VARIG

PP-PAX Received from PAN AM on 07/1938 Panair do Brasil
NC14972 leased 07/1937 - return on 06/1938 Pacific Alaska Airlines

NC14972 Returned original register on 06/14/1937 Pan American Airways

XA-BCJ Received on December 1935 Mexicana

NC14972 Ordered by Pan Am on 12/1933.

Received on 06 December 1935 and assigned to Compania Mexicana de Aviacion Pan American Airways

Thanks for the pictures

Walt

[Gary0302]

Hi Walt,

I appreciate the feedback; I have all of that information and I am still trying to verify. Also, I could not resist in throwing in a couple photos of myself; taken not long after breaking my wrist (you can probably see cast on right hand in the first shot) during one of Andy Keech's visits to our dropzone in Raeford NC, as he was compiling photos for Skies Call II.

Back in the 1970's, Paul Mitcheltree actually put together a short 16mm skydiving film containing clips from both Zephyrhills and Nova Scotia. The 10E can be seen in the foreground at :14 (just in front of the Lodestar as it is taking off), at 1:17 there is a brief glimpse of the 10E as skydivers fall away; and at 5:40 the 10E can be seen in the left lower corner.

https://vimeo.com/31295887

Years later, Paul provided some camerawork for "Amelia", released in 2009.

There is also a very short clip of one of the first 10-way RW teams as they practice their exit from the 10E, with the 16mm camera mounted just ahead of the door:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VZlIVoxYFk&feature=youtu.be

Thanks once again,
Gary

[Gary0302]

Awhile back I was able to locate another vintage photo of Lockheed 10E Electra, c/n 1042. From what I can tell so far, the original registration number assigned to c/n 1042 during production was NC 14972, but I believe that registration number XA-BCJ was assigned to c/n 1042 when it made its first commercial passenger flights during its ownership by Pan Am/Cia Mexicana de Aviacion, sometime during or near March of 1935.