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By: 5th November 2005 at 11:31 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-From what I've read, the L1011 was delayed due to the engine manufacturer Rolls Royce going bankrupt. I guess it would cost too much to reconfigure the systems for another type of engine. Because of this, McDonnell Douglas was able to get the DC-10 out before Lockheed's L1011. The L1011's late arrival into the three-engined wide-body market cost the company many orders to McDonnell Douglas. Even though the L1011 was more technologically advanced than the DC-10, McDonnell Douglas pretty much had the market cornered. As for Lockheed moving back into commerical aviation, I think that in an industry where about a half-dozen companies control the civilian aviation market, Lockheed will stay with their high-end military, and NASA contracts, as they have significant competition in that arena from Boeing and EADS. I hope this helps. If I'm wrong, please correct me.
Cheers,
Paul
Posts: 2,587
By: F-18 Hamburger - 5th November 2005 at 09:04
why did it's career end so early? I always thought it was a much safer and more efficient plane than the DC-10.. any plans for Lockheed to return into the civilian business?