The Lockheed L-188 Electra
The Lockheed L188 Electra has the distinction of being the only large American turboprop airliner. An excellent aircraft, the Electra was beset by unfortunate and severe structural problems, and then was surpassed by rapid improvements in pure jet aircraft. The Electra was first developed in response to an American Airlines request for a medium-size short-haul airliner for US inter-city routes. However, Eastern wanted a larger plane, and negotiations led to the development of the final Electra specs. American and Eastern placed the first orders (for 35 and 40 planes, respectively), and American received the first Electra on December, 1958 (although it could not fly the first service due to a strike, and Eastern was left with this honor). The orders came rapidly then, from many US and Asian operators, as well as KLM in Europe.
However; two Electras were found to have broken up in flight (they crashed in 1959 and 1960), and a structural fault was suspected. After a speed limit was imposed, Lockheed began looking for the answer, which it found in the phrase "whirl mode". If damaged, the engine mountings developed a harmonic with the wing when a whirl mode oscillation was generated, and this eventually tore the wing off the aircraft. The fix was not cheap, but it was effective. However, by then the Electra's reputation was tarnished, and many airlines shied away from the plane - only 26 more were sold. The existing Electras continued to boast excellent reliability and economics, and were not replaced until modern short-range jets became available. The Electras were then sold to other airlines or converted to freighters, and many are still flying today. The virtues of the Electra were not ignored by the military, since it was developed into the US Navy's highly successful P-3 Orion and other subchasers.
FS2004 flight dynamics available!
FS2004 Air California L-188 Electra.
Air California used the Electra on routes to Lake Tahoe from several locations
in California. At the time, the Electra was one of the few planes able
to get into Lake Tahoe's small but high airport. This is a repaint of
the new JR Lucariny Electra by Bill Schulz - check out that sunburst on the
nose! Also requires the base
RAA file. Last updated on 5/23/06. FS2002
version by Chris Buff and Bill Shulz. You will also need to download Chris'
Zantop Electra file. Thanks guys! Last updated on 7/17/03. FS98
version by Kevin Trinkle. Last updated on 1/18/98.
FSX/FS2004 Pacific Southwest Airlines
L-188 Electra. Bill Schulz has painted JR Lucariny's Electra into
the colors of PSA. This one is painted into the early paint scheme, before
rebuilding by Lockheed (thus no "Super" Electra titles). These Electras
replaced the DC-4's on PSA's routes up and down California, and allowed them
to out-compete other airlines (until Western got its own Electras!). Check
out those beautiful nacelle textures - they were done from real photos - thanks!!
Also requires the base
RAA file. Last updated on 6/11/07. FS2002
version. You will also need to download Chris'
Zantop Electra file and the PSA
Orange version (use that MDL file). Last updated on 11/4/03. FS2000
version by Kevin Trinkle. Last updated on 6/11/00
FS2002 PSA L-188 Electra. Pacific
Southwest replaced its original Electra fleet with Boeing 727's in the late
60's, but decided in the 70's to begin service to Lake Tahoe, which has a very
small airport. Since 727's wouldn't fit, PSA purchased some Electras for
the service (one was even ex-PSA!). These were originally painted in this
PSA scheme, which included a big smile and shocking pink! Thanks, Bill!
You will also need to download Chris'
Zantop Electra file and the PSA
Orange version (use that MDL file). Last updated on 11/4/03. FS2000
version by Kevin Trinkle. Last updated on 6/11/00.
FS2004 PSA L-188 Electra.
After PSA painted the Electras in the pink scheme they decided that they needed
a new image, and the Electras were later painted into this bright orange "Catch
Our Smile" paint scheme, complete with the smile painted under the nose.
Last updated on 8/25/05. You will also need to download Chris'
Zantop Electra file. FS2000
version by Kevin Trinkle. Last updated on 6/11/00.
FS2000 Pacific Southwest Airlines L-188
Electra. Kevin has also painted the second (and final) paint
scheme worn by the original PSA Electras, the 727 delivery scheme. PSA
was known for getting a lot of passengers into their planes; notice the extra
window just behind the door? Finally - thanks! Last updated on 6/11/00.
FS2000 Western Air Lines L-188 Electra.
Kevin has also painted the PSA competitor's Electra, Western. In
this beautiful paint job they flew the medium and short hauls for the airline,
and were later painted into the "jet age" scheme. Thanks Kevin for all the Electras!
Last updated on 6/11/00.