How Many Lockheed L-188 Electras Are Still Flying?

The Lockheed L-188 Electra first took to the skies in 1957, and a total of 170 aircraft were built before production ended in 1961. Around the world today, there are just 13 active L-188 Electras, the oldest of which was built in 1958, making it 65 years old. All 13 aircraft are in service with two operators – Air Spray and Buffalo Airways.

The history of the Lockheed L-188 Electra

With its unique design and unrivaled operational performance at the time, the L-188 Electra initially proved popular with airline customers worldwide, including American Airlines and Qantas. KLM was the only European carrier to operate the L-188 Electra, although the aircraft was a more common sight in regions such as Oceania and South America. The Brazilian airline Varig successfully deployed the aircraft on the São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro shuttle service for more than 30 years, operating over half a million flights in that time.

However, three fatal crashes in one year (1959-1960) led to a review of the aircraft’s engine mounts and wing structures. The expensive modifications required as a result of the review caused the L-188 Electra’s popularity to dwindle. Cargo operators subsequently began converting the aircraft to carry freight, giving the L-188 Electra a new lease of life, and a limited number remain in active service today as cargo aircraft.

Two remaining operators – Air Spray and Buffalo Airways

Eight of the active L-188 Electras are currently in service with Air Spray, operating firefighting services from its bases at Red Deer Regional Airport (YQF) in Alberta and Chico Regional Airport (CIC) in California.

Air Spray operates the oldest L-188 Electra currently still in service. The aircraft is registered as C-FVFH, and was built in 1958. The aircraft had previously flown for a handful of passenger operators, including Air California and Indonesia’s Manadala Airlines, before it arrived at Air Spray in June 1995 and was subsequently converted to a tanker.

The most recent L-188 Electra to join Air Spray’s fleet was C-FDTH, which arrived at the airline in February 2011. The aircraft entered into service in March 1959 with Eastern Air Lines. It went on to operate passenger services for the likes of Hawaiian Airlines and the UK’s Channel Express before being converted to a tanker following its arrival at Air Spray.

Five L-188 Electras operate freight and firefighting services for Buffalo Airways, based at Yellowknife Airport (YZF) in the Northwest Territories, Canada. The airline’s oldest L-188 Electra is registered as C-FBAQ. The aircraft was delivered new to Ansett Australia in February 1959, but was converted to a cargo aircraft just nine years later, and has remained that way until May 2016, when it became a tanker.

Its youngest L-188 Electra dates back to June 1961. C-GZFE began its life operating passenger services for Northwest Orient Airlines. It was converted to a cargo aircraft in 1977, before eventually joining the Buffalo Airways fleet in April 2013.

Now more than 60 years old, it remains to be seen how much life the remaining L-188 Electras have in them. But one thing is for sure – the aircraft has enjoyed a long and varied life, being put to a variety of uses around the world.

What do you think of the Lockheed L-188 Electra? Did you ever fly on the aircraft when it operated passenger services? Share your thoughts and experiences by commenting below.

Source: ATDB.aero