Airliner Series>1:200 die-cast display model>L-188>HL1001

General Background

In 1954 American Airlines was in the market for a 75 to 100 passenger for its short to medium range domestic routes. In response Lockheed developed the low wing L-188 Electra powered by four sleek turboprops instead of the usual large radial engines or jet turbines. The combination of engine and the Hamilton Standard propeller offered a much more reliable and fuel efficient aircraft that could travel at 375 mph for 2000 miles at an altitude of 20,000 – 25,000 feet. When production ended in 1961 there had been 170 Electras completed.

The Aircraft

1929 saw what was to become the birth of Eastern Air Lines when Clement Keys purchased Pitcairn Aviation. Next it became Eastern Air Transport and later Eastern Air Lines. In 1959 Eastern became the first air line to fly the new Lockheed L-188 Electra. Eastern offered an “all first-class service” with the aircraft wearing the famous “Golden Falcon” paint scheme. The two-tone blue Eastern emblem represented the fact they flew both day and night. Eastern was the last major US carrier to operate the Electras retiring them in 1977 after carrying an estimated 27,000,000 passengers.

Specifications :

First Flight:	1957
Number of Crew:	6 (3 flight deck)
Seating Capacity:	99/127
Weight
Empty:	61,500 lbs (27,895 kg)
Maximum Take Off:	116,000 lbs (52,664 kg)
Dimensions
Length:	104 ft 6 in (31.81 m)
Height:	32 ft 10 in (10 m)
Wing Span:	99 ft (30.18 m)
Wing Area:	1,300 sq. ft (120.8 m2)
Performance
Engines:	4 X Allison 501D - 3,750 hp/engine
Cruise speed:	405 mph (652 km/h) (362 knots)
Climb Rate:	2,000 fpm (609.6 mpm)
Service Ceiling:	28,400 ft (9,500 m)
Range:	2,200 miles (3,540.6 km)