Boeing 737-200 v2 ~ Tinmouse II

The 737-100 and 200 are the first generation production models of the world's most successful jet airliner family, Boeing's 737 twinjet.

The 737 was conceived as a short range small capacity airliner to round out the Boeing jet airliner family beneath the 727, 720 and 707. Announced in February 1965, the 737 was originally envisioned as a 60 to 85 seater, although following consultation with launch customer Lufthansa, a 100 seat design was settled upon. Design features included two underwing mounted turbofans and 60% structural and systems commonality with the 727, including the same fuselage cross section (making it wider than the competing five abreast DC-9 and BAC-111).

The 737-100 made its first flight on April 9 1967 and entered service in February 1968 with Lufthansa, while the last of 30 built was delivered to Malaysia-Singapore Airlines in October 1969.

By this time however the larger capacity 1.93m (6ft 4in) stretched 737-200 was in service after it had made its first flight on August 8 1967. First delivery, to United, was that December.

Developments of the -200 include the -200C convertible and quick change -200QC, while an unprepared airfield kit was also offered. The definitive Advanced 737-200 appeared in 1971, featuring minor aerodynamic refinements and other improvements.

Sales of the 737-200 far exceeded that of the shorter -100 and the 737-200 remained in production until 1988, by which time it had been superseded by the improved 737-300, after 1114 had been built. Many have been fitted with Stage 3 engine hushkits, and a number of passenger aircraft have been converted with cargo doors.

The USAF ordered 19 as navigation trainers, and some were later converted to standard transport aircraft as CT-43A. A few other air forces received 737-200s to serve in general transport, surveillance or VIP transport tasks.

 

 

 

 

Dornier Do228~ Premier Aircraft Design

The Dornier Do 228 is a small, German, twin turboprop STOL-utility aircraft manufactured by Dornier GmbH (later DASA Dornier, Fairchild-Dornier) from 1981, to 1998. In 1983, Hindustan Aeronautics bought a production licence and manufactures the 228 till this day. Approximately 270 Do 228 were built at Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, and Kanpur, India. About 195 are still in service worldwide.

History
In the late 1970s Dornier GmbH developed a new kind of wing, the TNT ("Tragflügel neuer Technologie"), subsidized by the German government. Dornier tested it on a modified Dornier Do 28D-2 "Skyservant" and with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-110 Turboprop engines. Finally Dornier changed the engine and tested the new aircraft, which was named Dornier Do 128, with two Garrett TPE 331-5 engines. The company developed a new fuselage for the TNT and TPE 331-5 in two variants (15/19 Passenger) and named both project-aircraft E-1 (later Do 228-100) and E-2 (later Do 228-200). At ILA '80 Dornier presented the new aircraft to the public. Both prototypes was flown on March 21, 1981, and May 9, 1981, for the first time. After the certification the first Do 228 entered service in the fleet of Norving Flyservice in February, 1982. Over the years Dornier offered the 228 in upgraded variants and with special equipment for special missions. In 1998, the production line was stopped for better development of the successor Dornier Do 328.

 

 

 

 

 

Lockheed L188 Electra II ~ KBT

Lockheed's Electra provided a number of airlines with their introduction to turbine powered aircraft. Today it remains popular with freight operators.

The Lockheed L-188 Electra was developed to meet a 1954 American Airlines requirement for a domestic short to medium range 75 to 100 seat airliner. In June 1955 American awarded Lockheed an order for 35 such aircraft. Lockheed's design, the L-188, was a low wing, four turboprop powered aircraft. Many other airlines shared American's interest in the L-188, and by the time the first prototype flew on December 6 1957, the order book stood at 144. Service entry was with Eastern Airlines (due to a pilot's strike at American) on January 12 1959.

However, any optimism Lockheed felt about a strong sales future would have been short lived, as a number of crashes in 1959 and 1960 (two of which where the aircraft broke up in flight) contributed to a number of order cancellations.

As an interim measure following the crashes, speed restrictions were imposed on Electras. Investigations uncovered a design defect with the engine mountings where the wing would shake and eventually break up. Lockheed undertook a significant modification program where the nacelles, nacelle mountings and wing structure were strengthened, and the speed restrictions were eventually lifted in 1961. After that the Electra proved reliable and popular in service, but the damage had been done and production wound up in 1961 after 170 had been built.

Lockheed built two basic versions of the Electra. The L-188A was the basic production aircraft, and accounted for most Electra sales. The L-188C entered service with KLM in 1959 and had greater fuel capacity and higher weights, and thus improved payload range performance.

The Electra also forms the basis for the hugely successful P-3 Orion long range maritime surveillance aircraft of which more than 600 have been built.

Most Electras currently in service are configured as freighters. From 1967 Lockheed converted 41 Electras to freighters or convertible freighter/passenger aircraft, fitting a strengthened floor and a large cargo door forward of the wing on the left side. Other companies have also converted Electras to freighters. However, a small number remain in passenger service.

 

 

NAMC YS-11 ~ AFG

The only Japanese airliner to enter production since WW2, the YS11 achieved a degree of success in its domestic market and in North America.

The YS11 was a product of the Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Company (or NAMC), a consortium of Fuji, Kawasaki, Mitsubishi, Nippi, Shin Meiwa (now Shin Maywa) and Showa. NAMC formed on June 1 1959 to design and develop a short to medium range airliner, with particular attention being paid to meeting the specific operating requirements of the Japanese domestic airlines.

NAMC selected the RollsRoyce Dart over the Allison 501 to power the new airliner. Fuji was given responsibility for the tail unit, Kawasaki the wings and engine nacelles, Mitsubishi the forward fuselage and final assembly, Nippi the ailerons and flaps, Shin Meiwa the rear fuselage and Showa the light alloy honeycomb structural components.

The YS11 first flew on August 30 1962 (a second prototype flew that December), and was awarded Japanese certification in August 1964. By that time the first production aircraft were under construction, and the type entered service with Toa Airways (now JAS) in April 1965. Initial production was of the YS11100, the follow up YS11A200 (first flight November 1967) was designed for export markets and featured an increased max takeoff weight. The YS11A300 was a combi passenger/freight model, while the YS11A400 was a pure freighter with a forward freight door.

The YS11A500, 600 and 700 were equivalent to the 200, 300 and 400, but with a 500kg (1100lb) greater max takeoff weight. Production ceased in February 1974.

By late 1998 66 YS11s remained in commercial service. The largest operators were All Nippon (6) and Japan Air Commuter (12).