Lockheed L-14 Super Electra

The Lockheed L‑14 Super Electra was a twin‑engine, all‑metal transport aircraft produced by Lockheed Corporation in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Developed as an enlarged, more powerful version of the Model 10 Electra, the Super Electra featured a fully stressed‑skin fuselage, retractable main gear, and the latest Pratt & Whitney R‑1830 radial engines delivering up to 1,200 horsepower each. First flown on 2 September 1940, the L‑14 entered limited service with both civilian airlines and the United States Army Air Forces, where it was designated C‑57 and used primarily for liaison, light transport, and training duties. Although only a handful of airframes were completed before production shifted to larger wartime transports, the aircraft introduced several design innovations that would be refined on later Lockheed models such as the Hudson and the Constellation. Its spacious cabin could accommodate up to twelve passengers or a mixed cargo load, and the robust wing and control surfaces gave it a respectable cruising speed of 225 mph and a range of roughly 1,600 miles. The Super Electra’s brief career demonstrated Lockheed’s ability to rapidly upscale proven designs, helping to establish the company’s reputation for reliable, high‑performance transport aircraft during a critical era of aviation development.

Lockheed Corporation

Lockheed L-14 Super Electra

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