Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart

Aviation Pioneer

Written by Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette

Aviation Art Store

www.aviationartstore.com

In June of 1928, as a passenger in a Fokker Tri-motor, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly in an airplane across the Atlantic. Amelia was not allowed to take off or land the Fokker but she was able to take over the controls during the flight giving her experience with multi-engine aircraft during long flights.

On May 20-21, 1932, Amelia Earhart became the first woman, and only the second person, to make a nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. The aircraft she selected for the flight was a newly developed monoplane build by Lockheed. The Vega 5B was a solid aircraft with a roomy cabin that became the aircraft of choice by many pilots. Amelia decided that her new aircraft should be painted bright red trimmed in gold.

The Vega was the first airplane built by Lockheed with its maiden flight in 1927. The aircraft was an advanced monoplane configuration. The large wing was braced internally. The design of the fuselage maximizes the load-carrying ability of the aircraft with generous internal space. The aircraft had a spruce wood veneer covering on both the fuselage and wing.

Earhart bought her Vega on March 17, 1930. During a test flight in September 1930, the Vega nosed over on landing. Amelia was not hurt however the airplane required repairs which would delay her flight plans. The repairs took over a year and in the rebuilding of the Vega it was reinforced to accommodate larger fuel tanks and up dated in every way including new electronics.

Earhart took off from Harbor Grace, Newfoundland on May 20, 1932. The weather over this part of the Atlantic always has been problematic and Amelia encountered its worst from the start. Boredom is the worst enemy of every aviator during long flights. Even with constant present dangers, fatigue could be fatal. Ice formed on the wing of the Vega forcing Amelia to drop three thousand feet in fog unable to see at times.

Amelia landed in a farmer’s field near Culmore, Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Her 2,026-mile flight took 14 hours, 54 minutes. After Amelia returned she was greeted and praised with the same enthusiasm that Charles Lindberg experienced.

Amelia always sought records to break and new opportunities. On August 24-25, 1932, in her Vega, Amelia flew from Los Angeles to Newark, covering 2,448 miles in 19 hours, 5 minutes. This was the first solo nonstop transcontinental flight by a woman.

Amelia Earhart’s Vega is displayed in the Smithsonian Institution, Museum's Pioneers of Flight gallery.

This page is under construction. Stay tuned.

I am presently looking for an investor who is interested in buying the original painting of Amelia's airplane. I will use the monies I receive from the original painting to publish the print. Along with the painting you will receive 100 prints of Amelia's aircraft. These prints are for you to sale or use as gifts for clients, friends, and family members.