Lockheed L-12A Electra Junior

The Lockheed L-12 Electra Junor is a smaller version of the popular Lockheed Model 10 Electra which found favour as a Corporate and Government transport aircraft. First flying in 1936 the L-12 could carry six passengers at a faster cruising speed than the larger 10-passenger Model 10. Whilst relatively spacious inside, the wingspar passed directly through the main cabin which necessitated the installation of steps to allow for passengers to easily traverse the obstacle. In total 130 Electra Juniors were produced.

The L-12 would also see service during the Second World War as a reconnaissance and transport aircraft with the US Army Air Force adopting the designation C-40 for aircraft in US service. Additionally, a number of aircraft were converted as bomber trainers with upper turrets for the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force. The type also flew with the Royal Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force however these were standard civilian models acquired privately. The L-12's most covert exploits came in the hands of Australian, Sidney Cotton who converted examples officially owned by British Airways to take images of German and Italian bases whilst painted as a civilian aircraft.

One such covert reconnaissance aircraft was L-12A registration G-AFTL which has recently been resorted and returned to flight during 2023. The aircraft is now based at Sywell with Fighter Aviation Engineering and will be joining us for a static display as part of our Eyes in the Skies theme at RIAT25.

For more information on Fighter Aviation Engineering/Ultimate Warbirds, please visit their website here: www.warbirdflights.co.uk

Photo Credit: Tom Gautier

On display

Role	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Static	Yes	Yes	Yes