|
On 24 May 1958, Martinair was founded by Martin Schröder as Martin's
Luchtvervoer Maatschappij NV, known as Martin's Air Charter (MAC). In
1974, the company name changed in Martinair Holland. Martinair
Holland is a subsidiary of KLM and Nedloydd. Over the years a large
number of airliners were operated. Among the types operated by Martinair
was a sole Lockheed L-188C Electra II. This Lockheed L-188C Electra
PH-LLG was leased from the KLM for a period in 1968. |
|
Lockheed L-188C c/n 2014 was flown first on 17 February 1960. The
airliner was registered PH-LLG with the KLM NV on 24 February 1960,
delivered on 25 February 1960 and christened "Neptunus". On 22 January
1969, registration PH-LLG was cancelled, after the aircraft was sold as N857U to the US freight carrier Universal
Airlines. Lockheed L-188C N857U was converted to a freighter and the type was
changed into a L-188C(F). Universal Airlines ceased operations in
1972 and the N857U was sold to the former Universal owners Zantop, which family
founded Zantop International Airlines. The ex KLM Electra's, including
the L-188C(F) N857U, however were sold to Saturn Airways. In December
1976, Trans International Airlines acquired Saturn including their
Electra's. When TIA was renamed Transamerica Airlines in May 1979 the
N857U was transferred once again. In October 1985, the N857U was
transferred to Interstate Airlines. Lockheed L-188C(F) N857U was sold to
Sweden and registered SE-IZU with Falcon Cargo on 29 October 1987. On 6
April 1993, the Electra was transferred to Hunting Cargo Airlines and
registered first in the UK as G-FIZU. On 20 May 1997, the freighter was
transferred to Hunting Cargo Airlines Ireland and registered EI-CHY. On
23 December 1998, the Electra was registered again in the UK as G-FIZU
with Atlantic Airlines. Since Atlantic Cargo and Channel Express
operated it. In 2005, the Lockheed Electra II was still active as
G-FIZU with Atlantic
Airlines, 37 years after the airliner was photographed as PH-LLG in the MAC-Martin's Air Charter
colours at Groningen Airport Eelde when landing during an ILS-training. |