Eastern Air Lines ordered 40 188As. Size: 28 inch wingspan, 29 inches long. The Lockheed L-188A (Lockheed # 188A1007) 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 todayparticularly on short runways and high field elevations. [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. The airframe was also used as the basis for the Lockheed P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft. American Airlines was the launch customer. Eastern Air Lines, Braniff Airways and Northwest Airlines followed. Production ended in 1961 after 170 had been built. The item “1958 Lockheed Electra Eastern Airline Airplane Raise Up Metal Model Vintage 143″ is in sale since Friday, July 9, 2021. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Advertising\Merchandise & Memorabilia\Store Displays”. The seller is “npapadakis” and is located in Brooklyn, New York. This item can be shipped worldwide.