Lockheed XR30-1 (R30-1) "Electra"
Information:
The Coast Guard acquired 1 Model 10-B Electra, which the Coast Guard designated XR30-1, for use as the commandant's flagship on 19 April 1936. Amelia Earhart made this type of aircraft famous as it was the Lockheed Electra she flew on her around the world flight in which she disappeared in 1937. In its civilian version it was capable of carrying twelve passengers in relative comfort at a speed of 195 miles per hour.
The Coast Guard initially registered the Lockheed as No. 383, then changed it to V151. In addition to serving the commandant, this aircraft was also made available to the Secretary of the Treasury as well. The aircraft served the Coast Guard well but was apparently traded to the Marine Corps in 1945 for a Grumman JF-2. The commandant's executive transport aircraft by then was a Lockheed R-50 Lodestar, USCG No. 12453, acquired in 1942.
Photographs:
XR30-1, Grand Central Airport at Glendale, CA; no caption/date/photo number; photographer unknown.
XR30-1; Grand Central Airport at Glendale, CA; no caption/date/photo number; photographer unknown.
R30-1; no caption/date/photo number; photographer unknown.
R-30-1, V151; Original caption stated: "Secretary Morgenthau's official Lockheed plane, powered by Wright Whirlwind engines, forms an appropriate background for Lieutenant Richard Burke, USCG; the Secretary; M.Y. Gordon, vice-president of the Wright plant; and Frank LeMan, president of the Caldwell-Wright airport."; photo taken from page 6 of the December, 1940 Coast Guard Magazine; no photo number; photographer unknown.
Sources:
Aircraft History File, U.S. Coast Guard Historian’s Office.
Arthur Pearcy, U.S. Coast Guard Aircraft Since 1916 (Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1991), pp. 155-157.
Swanborough, Gordon & Peter M. Bowers. United States Navy Aircraft Since 1911. (Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1990), pp.159-161.