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Canada's last operators keep Lockheed L-188 Electra flying for firefighting missions

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Canada's last operators keep Lockheed L-188 Electra flying for firefighting missions
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Webp buffalo
Buffalo Airways | Official Website

The Lockheed L-188 Electra first flew in 1957 as the United States' first large turboprop airliner. Today, only two Canadian companies continue to operate the L-188 Electra: Buffalo Airways and Air Spray. Most of these remaining aircraft have been modified for use as water bombers to combat wildfires.

In the 1950s, many domestic airports lacked the population or cargo demand to support pure-jet service, while piston engines were deemed insufficient for reliable and efficient mainline fleets. This led to the rise of turboprop engines.

Allison's Model 501 turboprop engine offered impressive fuel efficiency and increased flight time compared to piston counterparts. Lockheed built two aircraft types around this engine: the military C-130 Hercules and the L-188 Electra.

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The L-188 launched with American Airlines and was soon delivered to Eastern Air Lines, Braniff Airways, and Northwest Airlines. Initial sales were promising, but after several fatal crashes necessitated expensive design modifications, orders dried up, and the industry shifted towards jet-powered passenger aircraft.

"Seating 90 in pressurized comfort, and with a cruise speed of 400 mph, the L- 188 ushered in Regal Imperial service," said Northwest Airlines History Center. "It quickly assumed flagship duty on many domestic sectors. "

Northwest ordered 18 Electras; however, two crashed early on in high-profile accidents. After design flaws were fixed, Northwest's L-188 served through the 1960s before retiring in 1972.

The L-188 Electra also served as a basis for the maritime patrol Lockheed P-3 Orion developed for the US Navy in the1960s.Today,the Boeing P8 Poseidon is replacing these older models globally.

Buffalo Airways' fleet of L-188 Electras

Buffalo Airways operates out of Canada's Northwest Territories from Yellowknife Airport.Establishedin1970,it offers charter passenger,cargo ,firefighting,and fuel services.

"Our airline operates... (2) Lockheed L188 Airtankers," states Buffalo Airways.

According to various sources including ch aviation and Planespotters.net,BuffaloAirways'fleet includes between fourandnineL188swith varying reports on their active status.The confirmed registrations are:

C FBAQ "In memoryof Arnie Schreder"

C FIJX "In memoryof Mr Forbes"

C GXFC

C GZFE

Airspray'sfleetofL188Electras

AirsprayLtd,basedinEdmontonAlberta specializesinaerialwildlifesuppressionusingmodifiedairtankersorwaterbombers.Itistheworld'slargestoperatoroftheTurboCommander690695seriesandL188Electraairtankers.AccordingtoCh AviationandPlanespotters.netthediscrepantreportslistbetween nineandthirteenactiveL188sinitsfleetwithhistoricaloperationsofup tosixteenunits.overallAirSprayoperatesover60aircraftforfirecontrolsupportfrombasesinCanadaRedDeerRegionalAirportSpringbrookAlbertaWinnipegManitobaChicoCalifornia

Organizations Included in this History
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