Lockheed L-14 Super Electra
Lockheed Corporation · United States · first flew 1937 · transport aircraft
The Lockheed L-14 Super Electra was a twin-engine airliner and fast transport that pioneered the use of Fowler flaps in production aircraft, enabling a shorter wingspan without sacrificing low-speed performance. It was notably used by Howard Hughes for his 1938 round-the-world speed record.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 13.47 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-tail transport with fowler flaps — first production use
- Streamlined low-wing twin of the late 1930s
- Howard Hughes used it for his 1938 world speed record
A sleek low-wing twin with twin endplate fins, retractable gear, and a smooth stressed-skin fuselage; similar to but larger than the Model 10, with a distinctive wing kink from the Fowler flap installation.
Specifications
- The Lockheed L-14 Super Electra has a length of 13.47 m (44 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 19.96 m (65 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 434 km/h (270 mph).
- Typical crew: 2, plus 12 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Introduced in 1937 as a stretched development of the Model 10 with more powerful engines and Fowler flaps, the L-14 attracted orders from airlines and military operators. It served as the basis for the Hudson maritime patrol bomber built for Britain. Though only modestly successful as an airliner, its legacy endures through the Hudson and the later Ventura.
Variants
Engine options included Wright GR-1820 Cyclones and Pratt & Whitney Hornets; the military Hudson was a direct derivative with a redesigned fuselage.
Where you'll see it
Used by Northwest Airlines, Japanese airlines, and various military forces; the RAF's Hudson was the primary military operator indirectly.
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- Blohm & Voss BV 138
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