Lockheed Model 10 Electra

Image: NOAA Photo Library (Public Domain)

Lockheed Model 10 Electra

Designation: Lockheed 10E Electra

Lockheed Golden Age transport 1934-1941

Why it matters

The Electra was Lockheed's answer to the Boeing 247 and Douglas DC-2. It was fast, modern, and beautiful. But its place in history was sealed by Amelia Earhart. On July 2, 1937, Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan disappeared over the Pacific in a specially modified 10E during their around-the-world flight attempt. They were never found. The mystery endures nearly ninety years later, making this aircraft a symbol of both aviation's golden age ambitions and its unforgiving risks.

Specifications

Max Speed 202 mph
Range 810 miles (standard), 4,000 miles (modified long-range)
Service Ceiling 19,400 ft
Engine 2x Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp radials
Power/Thrust 450 hp each
Wingspan 55 ft
Length 38 ft 7 in
Crew 2
Production 149 built
First Flight 1934-02-23
Service Dates 1934-1950s

Notable Features

  • All-metal monocoque construction
  • Twin vertical stabilizers
  • Retractable landing gear
  • 10-passenger capacity

Patina notes

The Electra represented the cutting edge of 1930s aviation design. Its all-metal construction, streamlined shape, and twin-tail configuration influenced countless aircraft that followed. Surviving examples show the craftsmanship of Depression-era American manufacturing — hand-formed aluminum panels, art deco instrument panels, and the unmistakable Lockheed attention to detail that would later define the Constellation.

Preservation reality

About a dozen Electras survive worldwide. Several are airworthy. The most famous example is probably N16020, a restored 10E that has been used in Earhart commemorative flights. Museums with Electras include the New England Air Museum and the Western Canada Aviation Museum. Parts are scarce but the type has dedicated enthusiasts.

Where to see one

  • • New England Air Museum
  • • Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada
  • • Fantasy of Flight (Florida)

Preservation organizations

  • • The Ninety-Nines (International Organization of Women Pilots)
  • • Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum

Sources