Minicraft - 14723 - Aircraft, Propeller, Lockheed L-188 Electra - Lockheed - L188 Electra

Specific Item Information: The Lockheed L-188 Electra was first flown in 1957. It was the first large turboprop airliner built in the United States. The four-engined design had airfield performance capabilities unmatched by many jet transport aircraft even today—particularly on short runways and high field elevations. Lockheed had established a strong position in commercial airliner production with its piston-engined Constellation series. The final design was launched as the Model 188 with an order for 35 by American Airlines on June 8, 1955, followed by an Eastern Airlines order for 40 on September 27, 1955. The first aircraft took 26months to complete and by that time Lockheed had orders for 129. The prototype, a Model 188A, firstflew on December 6, 1957 Turboprops were soon replaced by turbojets and many Electras were modified as freighters. SomeElectras are still being used in various roles into the 21st century. The airframe was also used as the basis for the Lockheed P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft.

Prototype History: The Lockheed L-188 Electra is an American turboprop airliner built by Lockheed. First flown in 1957, it was the first large turboprop airliner built in the United States. Initial sales were good, but after two fatal crashes that led to expensive modifications to fix a design defect, no more were ordered. With its unique high power-to-weight ratio, huge propellers and very short wings (resulting in the majority of the wingspan being enveloped in propwash), large Fowler flaps which significantly increased effective wing area when extended, and four-engined design, the airplane had airfield performance capabilities unmatched by many jet transport aircraft even today—particularly on short runways and high field elevations. Jet airliners soon supplanted turboprops for many purposes, and many Electras were modified as freighters. Some Electras are still being used in various roles into the 21st century. The airframe was also used as the basis for the much more successful Lockheed P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft.

Road Name History: The Lockheed Corporation was an American aerospace company. Lockheed was founded in 1926 and later merged with Martin Marietta to form Lockheed Martin in 1995. The founder, Allan Lockheed, had earlier founded the similarly named but otherwise unrelated Loughead Aircraft Manufacturing Company, which was operational from 1912 through 1920.

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