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 from March 1968 until 1 January 1969. |
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 the G-FIZU.
The airfreighter was phased out in 2011 and the same year flown from Bournemouth to Abbotsford in Canada.
On 1 December 2014, registration G-FIZU was cancelled as exported to Canada. On 1 September 2016, the
Lockheed L-188C(F) was registered C-GIZU in Canada with Buffalo Airways at Yellowknife, Northwest
Territories. On 19 March 2007, Lockheed L-188C(F) G-FIZU was involved in an incident that could have
turned out very differently: immediately after takeoff on a night flight from Stansted to Edingburgh the
engines gave problems. The crew had to shut down the No.2 engine, declared a PAN and prepared to return
to Stansted. When on final approach with landing flap selected, both the No.1 and No.3 engines appeared
to run down. The aircraft landed using only the No.4 engine! On 30 March 1968, Lockheed L-188C Electra
II PH-LLG was seen in MAC-Martin's Air Charter colors at Groningen Airport Eelde when landing during an ILS-training.
The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the Lockheed L-188C Electra II is L188. |