Lockheed Model 34 Big Dipper

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Photograph of Lockheed Model 34 Big Dipper from Code One magazine:

The Lockheed Model 34 Big Dipper was intended for the post-World War II private aircraft market. The aircraft featured side-by-side seating in an enclosed cabin and an all-movable tail surface. The Big Dipper -- only one was built -- is posed in front its big brother, a C-69 Constellation.

Source: http://www.codeonemagazine.com/gallery_slideshow.html?item_id=19

 

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Photographs of Lockheed Model 34 Big Dipper from San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive.

Sources:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/4590509162/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/4589888993/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/4590508988/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/4589888931/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/4589889027/

 

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With World War II winding down, Lockheed developed the Model 34 Big Dipper for the predicted postwar light aircraft market. The Big Dipper, which had a center fuselage-mounted engine turning a rear-mounted pusher propeller, also featured side-by-side enclosed cabin and an all-moving tailplane. Construction began in July 1945 and the aircraft was trucked from the Lockheed facility in Burbank, California, to Palmdale where testing could be conducted in secret. First flight came on 10 December with test pilot Prentice Cleaves at the controls. After forty hours of testing, the aircraft stalled on takeoff on 6 February 1946 and was destroyed. Realizing that the civil market was glutted with ex-military light aircraft, further development of the Big Dipper was discontinued.

Source:
http://www.codeonemagazine.com/gallery_slideshow.html?item_id=1693