| L-188 Electra | |
|---|---|
 The L-188 is a low wing airliner powered by four turboprops. | |
| General information | |
| Type | Turboprop airliner |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Corporation |
| Status | In service[1] |
| Primary users | Air Spray[2] Buffalo Airways Conair Group (Retired) Eastern Air Lines (Retired) American Airlines (Retired) National Airlines (Retired) |
| Number built | 170 |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1957–1961 |
| Introduction date | January 12, 1959, with Eastern Air Lines |
| First flight | December 6, 1957 |
| Developed into | Lockheed P-3 Orion |
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 fairly 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 altitude airfields.[citation needed] 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.[1][3] The airframe was also used as the basis for the Lockheed P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft.