Designed and built by Lockheed for American Airlines, the L-188 Electra first flew on December 6, 1957. The L-188 was the first turboprop airliner produced in the United States, with standard seating for 66 to 88 passengers. Powered by four Allison 501D-13 turboprops, the aircraft performed nearly as well as contemporary turbojets but cost less to operate. Unfortunately, two fatal accidents quickly eroded faith in the type and led to early cancelation of production. Electras were most infamously flown by the Argentine Navy, who used them to dispose of p o litical prisoners over the Rio de La Plata.
