Jack Fellows (American, Born 1941) "Lockheed Vega Airplane" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Masonite. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 32c Lockheed Vega stamp issued July 19, 1997. Using part-owner Jack Northrop's novel design, the new Lockheed company unveiled its streamlined Vega on July 4, 1927. Considered to be the most streamlined plane ever built, the four-passenger, high-wing monoplane could cruise at 135 mph. The plane's speed was later increased to 155 mph by enclosing the radial Pratt & Whitney Wasp engine in a smooth metal cowl. Even though it was never widely used by the commercial airlines, the Vega was made famous by former airmail pilot Wiley Post, who named his Vega "Winnie Mae" and flew it around the world in 1931 . . . and by Amelia Earhart, who flew her Vega nonstop across the Atlantic in 1932. Image Size: 16.5 x 14 in. Overall Size: 18 x 15.5 in. Unframed. (B15607)