Jet-X 056
Lockheed L-188 Electra Diecast Model
Transamerica, N860U | |
| 1:400 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Lockheed L-188 Electra | | 3.25" | | 3" |
Kirk Kerkorian's Los Angeles Air Services began operations in 1948. The airline was renamed Trans International Airlines (TIA) in 1960. Kerkorian took TIA public in 1967 and used the additional cash to build a casino in Vegas call The International (later the Las Vegas Hilton). He managed to get Barbra Streisand and Elvis to perform and the new hotel and those two helped to set Vegas attendance records. In the early Super70s, he bought MGM Studios in Hollywood and returned to Las Vegas to build the MGM Grand hotel (now Bally's).
The financial services giant Transamerica began diversifying in the 1960s and ended up owning a movie distributor, a car rental agency, a machinery manufacturer, and yes this airline - though it did not change it's name to Transamerica Airlines until 1979.
After buying TIA in 1968, Transamerica acquired Universal Airlines and Saturn Airways in the Super70s. TIA was a cargo and charter airline until deregulation. On November 2, 1979, scheduled passenger flights began for the first time on a New York-Shannon-Amsterdam route, which was just the beginning of several transatlantic routes.
An inability to operate profitably left Transamerica, which was divesting itself of its non-core businesses, looking for a buyer for the airline. It could not find one and shut down Transamerica Airlines on September 30, 1986.
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 political prisoners over the Rio de La Plata. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Jet-x "400 Collection" range presents detailed, ready-made diecast models of civilian aircraft.
"Jet-x" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
