In the mid-fifties, when jet planes such as the Comet and Caravelle were emerging, KLM decided not to opt for a jet airliner but for a
turboprop plane for the medium range. On 26 February 1956, KLM signed a contract with Lockheed for the delivery of twelve Lockheed L-188A
Electras II airliners, which contract was later changed to the L-188C Model. The twelve L-188C Electra's (PH-LLA to PH-LLH) were delivered
to KLM between 10 October 1959 and 14 December 1960. KLM mainly used it's Lockheed L-188C Electras II airliners on the medium-long European
routes (like Amsterdam-Madrid, Rome, Athens, Lisbon and Stockholm) and far-east routes (including Saigon and Kuala Lumpur). In March 1968,
the entire KLM L-188C Electra fleet was sold to Universal Airlines of Oakland, California. At regular intervals the KLM Electra aircraft
were flown one by one from Amsterdam for the new owner to Burbank, where the aircraft were converted by Lockheed into L-188CF cargo planes.
On 20 March 1968, the PH-LLA was the first to depart; the last one was the PH-LLG on 4 February 1969. This aircraft had performed the
last Electra scheduled flight on 31 December 1968. The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the Lockheed L-188C Electra II is L188.
The 1960-built Lockheed L-188C s/n 2015 was registered PH-LLH with the KLM NV on 16 April 1960. After delivery, the PH-LLH was christened
"Pluto" and entered service on the medium-long distance routes of the KLM. After the aircraft was sold to the US freight carrier Universal
Airlinesas and registered N858U on 11 June 1968, registration PH-LLH was cancelled on 14 June 1968. Lockheed L-188C N858U was converted to
a freighter and the type was changed into a L-188C(F). Universal Airlines ceased operations in 1972 and the N858U was sold to the former
Universal owners Zantop, which family founded Zantop International Airlines. The ex KLM Electra's, including the L-188C(F) N858U, 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 N858U was transferred once again. On 24 May 1984, the Lockheed L-188C(F) was registered C-GNWC
in Canada with Northwest Territorial Airways. On 9 October 1986, registration C-GNWC was cancelled after the Lockheed L-188C(F) was
sold to Sweden. On 2 December 1986, the aircraft was registered SE-IVT with Falcon Air. On 6 December 1992, the SE-IVT was leased
to Hunting Cargo Airlines. On 9 September 1993, the freighter was transferred to Hunting Cargo Airlines Ireland and registered EI-CHZ.
In July 1998, the Lockheed L-188C(F) Electra II was sold to Channel Express and brooken up for parts. On 24 March 1967, Lockheed
L-188C Electra II PH-LLH was seen at Rotterdam-Zestienhoven airfield (EHRD/RTM) in the early sixties KLM Royal Dutch Airlines colors.
