Lockheed Electra
By Roel Bazuin, P.Wolf
- 3 minutes read - 637 wordsL-12 and L-212 with NEIAF
Lockheed 12, L2-38
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"In 1938 Lockheed began with the development of a military version of the Lockheed 12, the Lockheed Model 212. The NEIAF was the first customer and ordered September 27, 1938 12 Lockheed 212-26 trainers. The first NEI Lockheed 212 made, c/n 212-01 L201, had her first flight March 7 1939. The first five machines arrived at Surabaya June 1939, where they were assembled. |
In October 1939 another four were ordered, which were delivered in April 1940. These were designated Lockheed 212A-13.
Mid August 1940, the registration system of the ML-KNIL was changed. It now consisted of one or two letters indicating the manufacturer, than one digit, representing the class of the aircraft, e.g. 2 was a transitional aircraft, followed by two or more numbers indicating the sequence number.
The first three Lockheed L-12s were completed in October 1941, three in December 1941 and four in January 1942. Meanwhile, the war in Dutch East Indies was in full swing.
The first Lockheed 12 was sent to England, for Prince Bernhard, where it arrived in August 1942. The plane received RAF serial number NF753 and PB-2" [1].
2 Lockheeds on 11VB Polonia
2 Lockheeds Electra’s operated from 11VB Polonia [1]. An L-12 Electra Junior transport version, actually a 2-engine training aircraft, and an L-212, the military version of the L-12.
The L-212 had a plexiglas turret mounted on top specially for the Dutch Air Force, just behind the wing. And it was armed. The aircrafts were almost identical.
The L-12, with registration L2-102 (and later T-302) belonged to 122 squadron and was used for transport and reconnaissance. According to some sources, this aircraft was with the squadron until the end of January '47, others say until the end of '47 and then moved to Andir (Bandoeng) / Kalidjati (Soebang).
An L-12 was used for reconnaissance during 'Police action' Operation 'Product' between July 21, 1947 and August 5, 1947.
The L-12, with registration L2-102
Serial L2-39 - May 21, 1942 to RNMFS at Jackson - July 1943 to no 1 NEITS Australia - May 1944 serial L2-102, call sign VH-RDQ - 1948 re-registered as T-302 - To AURIS - (source: Jonkerweb)
Front L: J. Vleugels. Middle standing CW Bastiaans (3de from left) Direktly behind him (bare body) CW Wolf. [2].
The photo of the group of men with the Lockheed Elektra was taken in Medan, at the airport of Polonia, probably around February '47. In any case it is made between November '46 and October '47.
The registration of this aircraft is not visible on the photo [3], but in all likelihood this is the L-12a.
There is no gun turret visible, which was mounted above the door on a L-212 and should have been visible here. The whip antenna on the cockpit indicates an L-12.
The L-212, with registration L-205
There was also an L-212 active on 11VB with registration L-205.
This military version belonged to LuCoSu ('LuchtvaartCommando Sumatra' - Aviation Command Sumatra), the umbrella organization for all squadrons based on Sumatra. It was used as a staff aircraft.
It is not known during which period this aircraft was active on 11VB.
Model 12-26: transport version of the Model 212; twenty examples built for NEIAF. - (source: Jonkerweb)
(P.Guit)
Serial L2-41. Date in service 17-02-1942. - May 1944 serial L2-104, call sign VH-RDS - 1948 re-registered as T-304 - To AURIS - (source: Jonkerweb)