Lockheed L-188 Electra: From Disaster to Redemption (S2E6)

Video from the channel Giving Airplane Facts about Lockheed L-188 Electra, linked on its Above Ten Thousand entry. Duration: 3:10. Language: English. Video type: Documentary.

A brief look at the history of the Lockheed L-188 Electra, Lockheed's bet on turboprop airliners in the 1950s against the Vickers Viscount and the first jets. It first flew in 1957 with four Allison 501-D13 engines, cruised at over 600 km/h, and was ordered by American Airlines, Eastern and Braniff.

Two accidents, in 1959 and 1960, revealed the instability known as "whirl mode," which forced costly modifications. It went on flying in cargo and other roles, and gave rise to the P-3 Orion patrol aircraft. A few examples remain in service, mostly in cargo.