L-188 AMERICAN MODEL

The Lockheed L-188 Electra is an American turboprop airliner built by Lockheed. It was the first turboprop airliner built in the USA.

The design of the L-188 was started by Lockheed in 1954, and the following year the company received a launch order from American Airlines. The prototype first flew on December 6, 1957.

Many airlines in the US flew the L-188, but the only European airline to order the type was KLM. TEAL in the South Pacific, NAC the Viscount and Air New Zealand flew both. TAA and Ansett in Australia operated the L-188 and QANTAS also operated 4 L-188. American Airlines was the launch customer, followed by Eastern Airlines and Braniff Airways.

The L-188 flew in commercial service until the mid-1970s. A total of 144 L-188s were built, 57 of which have been destroyed in accidents, according to Aviation Safety network. The most recent L-188 accident was in July 2003.

Lockheed developed a variant of the Electra, the P-3 Orion, for the United States Navy. The Orion was originally developed using modified civilian Electra airframes.

The L-188 is a low-wing monoplane with retractable tricycle landing gear, powered by four Allison 501D turboprops. Standard accommodation was for 66 to 88 passengers, with an optional high-density layout for 98 passengers. The initial production was the L-188A and later, a longer-range L-188C was produced.

Most of the L-188 aircraft currently in service are operated as Freighters. Lockheed proposed a development of the Electra which was later placed into production as the