Trans Australia Airlines L-188 Electra ~VH-TLA (1:200) by Hobby Master Diecast Airplanes
Item Number: HL1013
In 1954 American Air Lines was in the market for a 75 to 100 passenger aircraft 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.
In October 1958 Trans Australia Airlines (TAA) ordered 2 Lockheed L-188 Electras. One of these aircraft was VH-TLA c/n 1061 named 'John Eyre'. VH-TLA first flew on May 19, 1959 and was delivered to the airline at Melbourne on June 24, 1959. On July 8, 1959 the aircraft performed its inaugural commercial flight between Melbourne and Sydney. VH-TLA made its final commercial flight with TAA from Canberra to Sydney on April 30, 1971. Later that day the aircraft was ferried to Brisbane and put in storage. The L-188 was sold to Concare Aircraft Leasing on March 12, 1972 and registered as N188LA. The Electra changed hands a few more times before being scrapped in late 1975 early 1976.
Specifications Lockheed L-188 variants A & C
Cockpit Crew ' 3
Engines ' (4) Allison 501-D13 @ 3,750 hp @ take-off
Propellers ' 13.5 ft (4.15 m) diameter propellers ' made by either Aeroproducts or Hamilton Standard.
Fuel Capacity
Variant A - 5,520 gallons (20,900 l)
Variant C - 6,940 gallons (26,270 l)
Performance
Maximum Speed ' 448 mph (720.1 km/h)
Cruise Speed ' 373 mph (600.29 km/h)
Maximum Altitude - 28,400 ft (8,656.3 m)
Range
Variant A - 2,200 miles (3,540.6 km)
Variant C - 2,500 miles (4,023 km)
Weight
Basic Operating
Variant A - 59,338 lb (26,920 kg)
Variant C ' 61,500 lb (27,895 kg)
Maximum Take-off
Variant A - 113,000 lbs (51,256 kg)
Variant C - 116,000 lbs (52,620 kg)
Dimensions
Length ' 104 ft 6 ins (31.85 m)
Wingspan ' 99 ft (30.18 m)
Production ' 170 Electras built 55 were C variants.