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 Lockheed
P-3 Orion maritime
patrol aircraft.
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