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Electra! The Lockheed L-188
by Peter J. Gates
As an example of the Government in action, T.A.A. were forced under the ‘Airlines Equipment Act’ to lease from Ansett A.N.A. two of their DC-6B aircraft, whilst leasing three of their Vickers Viscount 700 aircraft to Ansett A.N.A.!
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This severely penalised T.A.A. but was certainly in favour of Ansett A.N.A. which was having great difficulty in competing with T.A.A.’s Viscounts.
T.A.A. had been responsible for the introduction of some revolutionary aircraft since its inception, notably the Convair 240’s and of course the Vickers Viscount 700 series. |
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Trans Australia Airlines, like other world airlines, had been making plans for the introduction of larger and faster aircraft to complement their Viscount fleet, and had in mind the Sud Aviation SE-210 Caravelle jet airliner as the flagship of their fleet.
The aircraft, which was first flown on 27th May 1955 was considered far too large and sophisticated for the Australian market by Ansett A.N.A. > |
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The Australian Government agreed and was appalled at the thought of the huge sums of money needed to upgrade airports throughout the country.
Ansett A.N.A. on the other hand firmly believed in the Electra as the ideal aircraft for the Australian market.
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The Australian Government however was again thinking British and directed both companies to order the Viscount 800 series and applied considerable pressure. >
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At this point in time qantas Airways entered the picture. They too were in the market for an economical aircraft to operate their Asia and Pacific routes, and after many years of happy association with the Lockheed company and their Constellation series, opted for the Electra.
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This type of pressure forced T.A.A. into the purchase of the Electra, when the Government did an about-face based on the Qantas orders. > |
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To this day there are many airline staff who still have a bitter taste in their mouth over the Government’s decision.
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Ansett A.N.A. placed an order for their first Electra on 9th December 1958 and the aircraft VH-RMA was delivered on 27th February 1959. >
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The first T.A.A. Electra VH-TLA ‘John Eyre’ was delivered on 15th June 1959. |
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It is interesting to note that both T.A.A. and Ansett A.N.A. later purchased the Viscount 800 series to supplement their growing prop-jet fleets. >
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Once in service the spacious interior of the Electra became a firm favourite with the Australian air traveller.
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The airlines spent large sums of money advertising the speed and reliability of the ‘Giant of the Jet Age’. The Electra combined with the Viscount and Fokker Friendship became the backbone of Australia’s airlines. >
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Throughout the country both T.A.A. and Ansett A.N.A. threw open the aircraft to public inspection, and on the 25th February a bright-eyed boy received the thrill of his young life when he boarded VH-RMB at Brisbane’s Eagle Farm Airport and found himself seated in the captain’s seat of this huge aircraft. It was a thrill I’ll never forget!
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Specifications (Model 188A)
General characteristics
Crew: Five (3 flight deck)
Capacity: 98 passengers
Length: 104 ft 6 in (31.85 m)
Wingspan: 99 ft 0 in (30.18 m)
Height: 32 ft 10 in (10.00 m)
Wing area: 1,300 sq ft (120.8 m²)
Empty weight: 57,400 lb (26,036 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 113,000 lb (51,256 kg)
Powerplant: 4× Allison 501-D13 turboprop engines, 3,750 eshp (2,800 kW) each.
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Performance
Maximum speed: 390 knots (448 mph, 721 km/h) at 12,000 ft (3,660 m)
Cruise speed: 324 knots (373 mph, 600 km/h)
Range: 1,913 nmi (2,200 mi, 3,540 km) with maximum payload, 2,409 nmi, 2,770 mi, 4,455 km with 17,500 lb (7,938 kg) payload
Service ceiling: 28,400 ft (8,665 m)
Rate of climb: 1,970 ft/min (10 m/s)
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Drawings
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