Our Lockheed Electra Junior is a piece of living history. On June 25, 1937, the aircraft was completed in the original 12A design in the USA by Lockheed and registered with the number NC18130. Its first owner was FC Hall, who christened the plane "Villa" after his wife. Hall was the sponsor of record-breaking pilot Wiley Post, who six years earlier had circumnavigated the globe in just 8 days and 16 hours in the Lockheed Vega Winnie Mae. In the very year of her first registration, our gold piece took fifth place in the Bendix Trophy Air Races with a breathtaking flight from L.A. to Cleveland - just minutes behind the winner of the race, a fighter plane. In 1939, the Villa was acquired by the Gilmore Oil Company, which used the spectacularly beautiful aircraft in numerous promotions. Then, in November 1941, the aircraft was transferred to the Free French Air Force (FAFL)where, as "No. 1226", it transported many high-ranking military personnel during World War II, including Gerneral LeClerc, General Valin and General Charles de Gaulle. There is even evidence of a combat mission by the unarmed aircraft, during which hand grenades were thrown from the open side door. After the war, the veteran was sold to the Earl of Granard in England and served as a conveyance for the English aristocracy for 27 years. After two years in service with a French airline, the Villa was decommissioned in Nice in 1974 - it wasn't until 32 years later that it was made airworthy again to celebrate its 80th birthday at the historic Arlington Fly-In as the air show's antique highlight. There it was restored until 2019 and acquired by Art Deco Aviation.

Even a combat mission of the unarmed machine is documented, during which hand grenades were thrown from the open side door. After the war, the veteran was sold to the Earl of Granard in England and served as a conveyance for the English noble family for 27 years. After two years in service with a French airline, the Villa was decommissioned in Nice in 1974 - it wasn't until 32 years later that it was made airworthy again to celebrate its 80th birthday at the historic Arlington Fly-In as the air show's antique highlight. There it was restored until 2019 and acquired by Art Deco Aviation.