Lockheed Tristar- The Most Technologically Advanced Commercial Jet of its Time

In April 1972, after six gruelling years of design and development, the then Lockheed California Company (now Lockheed Martin) delivered the most technologically advanced commercial jet of its era, the L-1011 TriStar, to its first client, Eastern Airlines. It was, Lockheed proudly claimed, 'the first cross-country flight without the need for human hands on the controls'. As Lockheed themselves note, in a similar fashion to other iconic passenger airliners before it, the L-1011 had faced daunting challenges on the way to its inaugural flight. Divergent needs from competing airlines led to design challenges. Financial difficulties ravaged its engine's manufacturer, Rolls-Royce, whilst a recession lessened the demand for commercial airliners. Lockheed, though, battled through these challenges. Ultimately, the toll on Lockheed, was too great and after the TriStar it withdrew from the commercial aircraft business. Graham Simons reveals the full story of this airliner's design, development and service.