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HL1001 - Eastern Air Lines
Lockheed  L-188A Electra, N5537
first "Golden Falcon" paint scheme
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1/200 scale die-cast metal with minimal use of plastic.
All markings are tampo (pad) applied, no decals to discolor or flake.
Free-spinning propellers.
Rolling wheels.
Landing gear can be removed or added.
Model comes with a display stand.
A brief history of the aircraft type and the airline is supplied with each model.
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.


1929 saw what was to become the birth of Eastern Air Lines when Clement Keys
purchased Pitcairn Aviation. Next it became Eastern Air Transport and later Eastern Air
Lines. In 1959 Eastern became the first air line to fly the new Lockheed L-188 Electra.
Eastern offered an “all first-class service” with the aircraft wearing the famous “Golden
Falcon” paint scheme. The two-tone blue Eastern emblem represented the fact they
flew both day and night. Eastern was the last major US carrier to operate the Electras
retiring them in 1977 after carrying an estimated 27,000,000 passengers.

Specifications Lockheed Electra L-188A

Performance
Engines – (4) Allison 501-D13 @ 3,750 hp at take-off
Propellers – 13.5 ft   (4.15 m) diameter propellers – made by either Aeroproducts or
Hamilton Standard.
Fuel Capacity – 5,520 gallons   (28,895 l)
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 – 2,200 miles   (3,540 km)

Weight
Basic Operating – 59,338 lb   (26,920 kg)
Maximum Take-off – 113,000 lbs   (51,256 kg)

Dimensions
Length – 104 ft 6 ins   (31.85 m)
Wingspan – 99 ft   (30.18 m)