On this day in aviation history, 91 years ago (May 31, 1935), the Fairchild Model 45 took flight for the first time. The 1930s were a time of booming growth in the aviation industry, spurring the rise of business-related flight. Companies labored to offer solutions for executive-type aircraft, as a means to boost sales and notoriety for the new, growing market. Fairchild attempted to enter the business aviation game via the development of their Model 45. This low-wing monoplane could seat five inside its luxurious cabin. The original Model 45 prototype was powered by a 225-hp Jacobs L-4 radial engine.
Flight testing of the Model 45 prototype revealed that although the aircraft was a solid performer, the performance overall was labeled as “sedate.” With the Jacobs engine, Fairchild predicted that the Model 45 would not be a hot ticket item on the executive aircraft market, so production was altered into the Model 45-A. The 45-A featured a more powerful engine, a 320-hp Wright R-760-E2 7-cylinder radial. Showing favorable performance during evaluation, the Model 45-A was placed into production. In total, Fairchild manufactured 16 Model 45-A aircraft.
The United States Navy purchased a single Model 45-A and redesignated the aircraft as the JK-1. This JK-1 was used as an executive transport, and its entrance into service opened the door for more military operations. After the United States entrance into WWII, two more Model 45-As were pressed into service with the Army Air Forces under the designation UC-88. The Fairchild Model 45-A was 30 feet and 1 inch long, had a wingspan of 39 feet and 6 inches, and stood just over 8 feet tall. The 45-As empty weight was 2,512 pounds, while max gross was 4,000 pounds. The aircraft could attain a maximum airspeed of 170 mph and fly for 560 nautical miles. Service ceiling for the Model 45-A was 18,700 feet.
