PH-LLG Lockheed L-188C Electra II c/n 2014 - MAC-Martin's Air Charter - Eelde airfield in Holland - 30 March 1968

On 24 May 1958, Martinair was founded by Martin Schröder as Martin's Luchtvervoer Maatschappij NV, known as Martin's Air Charter (MAC). In 1974, the company name was changed in Martinair Holland. Martinair Holland is a subsidiary of KLM and Nedloydd. Over the years a large number of airliners were operated. Among the types operated by Martinair was a sole Lockheed L-188C Electra II. This Lockheed L-188C Electra PH-LLG was leased from the KLM for a period in 1968.

Lockheed L-188C s/n 2014 was flown first on 17 February 1960. The airliner was registered PH-LLG with the KLM NV on 24 February 1960, delivered on 25 February 1960 and christened "Neptunus". On 22 January 1969, after the aircraft was sold to the US freight carrier Universal Airlines and registered N857U in the USA, the registration PH-LLG was cancelled. The N857U was converted to a freighter and the type was changed into a L-188C(F). When Universal Airlines ceased operations in 1972, the N857U was sold to the earlier owners Zantop, which family founded Zantop International Airlines. The ex KLM Electra's, including the L-188C(F) N857U, however were sold to Saturn Airways. In December 1976, Trans International Airlines acquired Saturn including their Electra's. When TIA was renamed Transamerica Airlines in May 1979 the N857U was transferred once again. In October 1985, the N857U was transferred to Interstate Airlines. Lockheed L-188C(F) N857U was sold to Sweden and registered SE-IZU with Falcon Cargo on 29 October 1987. On 6 April 1993, the Electra was transferred to Hunting Cargo Airlines and registered first in the UK as G-FIZU. On 20 May 1997, the freighter was transferred to Hunting Cargo Airlines Ireland and registered EI-CHY. On 23 December 1998, the Electra was registered again in the UK as G-FIZU with Atlantic Airlines. Since Atlantic Cargo and Channel Express operated it. In 2005, the G-FIZU was still active with Atlantic Airlines, 37 years after it was photographed as PH-LLG in the MAC colours at Groningen Airport Eelde in the Netherlands when landing here for an ILS-training.