Lockheed rolled out Electra 10A, number 1052, in late 1935, early 1936 and had it delivered to the United States Navy on February 19, 1936. This Electra has the distinction of being the first military Lockheed Electra 10 aircraft and the only example of a civilian Model 10A that was ordered by the US Navy; the aircraft model was designated XR20-1 and registered 0267. While serving for the government, 0267 was used as a staff transport by the Secretary of the Navy, Claude Swanson, and was based at Anacostia.
During World War II the aircraft was used to transport Assistant Secretary of Naval Air, David Ingalls. Following the end of the war the aircraft was sold to Essair Inc., Dallas, TX, where its registration was changed to NC57573 and over the next two decades Electra 1052 was sold to eight different owners/companies primarily to carry freight and passengers.
In 1979, Dolph Overton, of North Carolina, purchased the Lockheed Electra from Skyway Aviation in Missouri and began restoring it for his new Wings and Wheels Museum. Just three years later Grace McGuire entered the picture hoping to recreate Amelia Earhart's world flight and began her search for a Lockheed Electra 10E, which she eventually found - Lockheed Electra 1042. Parent company of Pratt & Whitney, United Technologies, heard of McGuire's plan and offered to restore her aircraft; however, the company soon realized this plan would bust their budget. They soon moved to their second plan, restore one of the many Electra 10As still around and just replace the engines and use Grace McGuire's Electra for spare parts. By 1984 Grace had fallen ill and United Technologies had changed management and ditched the Grace McGuire project altogether. Grace's 10E was returned to her and Electra 1052 was delivered to the New England Air Museum where it it currently on display in Northwest Airlines colors - which, interestingly enough, it never flew with Northwest.
San Diego Air and Space Museum Archives
San Diego Air and Space Museum Archives
San Diego Air and Space Museum Archives
San Diego Air and Space Museum Archives
San Diego Air and Space Museum Archives
