Registered in June 1934 to the Evening News Association and operated by The Detroit News. A radio reporter could broadcast from inside the aircraft and there was a camera installed in the fairing on the left wing (visible by the man wearing a trilby hat). The Orion was commandeered in 1942 by the Defense Supplies Corp as UC-85 serial 42-62601. Released in 1944 and restored as NC799W, it was scrapped after an accident in November 1947 at Los Angeles. Photograph taken by William H Engle Photo from: William Engle (son of the photographer) via Tim Martin

For The Detroit News, operating an L-5 Vega, NC32M, was not a whim. In 1934 they bought this new L-9 Orion. A radio reporter could broadcast from the plane - WWJ, on the tailfin, was the call sign of the Detroit News Radiophone. There was even a photo camera installed in the fairing on the left wing. NC799W was worn earlier by the newspaper's Pitcairn autogyro. The Orion was requisitioned as 42-62601 in 1942. Scrapped after an accident in 1947. Photo from: The Henry Ford

Used by American on "Air Express" services (see diamond insignia below cockpit). Carried up to five passengers plus mail. The firm changed name to American Airlines in 1934. Aircraft crashed on landing at Pittsburgh 10 January 1935. From Lockheed 60 years ago.

This was one of 12 9D Orions built in 1933/34. Carried up to six passengers plus mail cruising at 208 mph with 550 h.p. P&W Wasp engine. Served Northwest Airways on Air Mail Route 9 from Minneapolis to Chicago. NW Airways was formed in 1926 and changed its name to NW Airlines in April 1934. From NWAL 60 years ago.