Lockheed L-188 Electra (oz16822)

About this Plan

Lockheed L-188 Electra. Free flight scale model airliner. Wingspan 54 in.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Quote: "LOCKHEED L-188 ELECTRA

The Lockheed L-188 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. With its fairly 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 today—particularly on short runways and high altitude airfields. Initial sales were good, but after two fatal crashes that led to expensive modifications to fix a design defect, no more were ordered. 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. –WIKIPEDIA

I’ve always loved this aircraft after having flown on one from So. CA to San Francisco in college. It was in PSA livery There are many markings available for this aircraft from airliners, foreign military, U.S. military fire bombers and now civilian private cargo companies.

CONSTRUCTION

WING:
The wing is constructed using the David Rees’ Sliced rib wing construction. Mike Stuart has a great tutorial on his site: https://www.ffscale.co.uk/rees.htm, Use the balsa sizes specified on the plan.

FUSELAGE:
The fuselage is built using a ladder jig. There are many different versions of the ladder jig made from foam board, balsa strips of various sizes, metal etc. Maxfliart has a tutorial on YouTube that does a great job of illustrating this process. Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yUYY1dqfH8

HORIZONTAL STAB:
The horizontal stab is built from 3/32” sq and sheet balsa. The hz stab has a dihedral of 1.25” under each tip.

VERTICAL STAB:
The vertical stab is made from 3/32” balsa sheet for the outline, built flat on the building board. When outline is dry add the 1/16” vertical spar attached at the top of the spar to the outline. Then begin adding the 1/32”x1/8” balsa ribs to the vertical stab starting at the top and work down the stab. This helps keep out warps.

NACELLES:
The nacelles are made in the box fuselage style with rounded formers on the top of the box. The inner nacelles have the gear bumps on the bottom that can be built up or carved from foam and added to the bottom of the nacelle after it’s attached to the wing. Use your favorite nose/prop block and spinners.

Regards,
Tom Akery/Sky9pilot"

Corrections?

Did we get something wrong with these details about this plan (especially the datafile)? That happens sometimes. You can help us fix it.
Add a correction