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The Lockheed C-36 was the military designation for the Lockheed 10 Electra, and covered three aircraft ordered by the Army Air Corps and more aircraft impressed by the USAAF during the Second World War.
The Lockheed Electra was a twin engine transport aircraft, with low mounted tapered cantilevered wings, a crew of two and room for ten passengers. The original version was powered by two Pratt & Whitney Wasp Jr radial engines. It had a high mounted tail with twin horizontal control surfaces close to the outer ends of the tail and a flat sided fuselage with large cabin windows.
The first standard Electras to enter Army service were three Lockheed 10-As, powered by two 450hp Pratt & Whitney R-985-13 engines, and capable of carrying the standard ten passengers. They were delivered as the Y1C-36 but later became the C-36. The first was delivered late in 1936, but damaged beyond repair in a crash in February 1938. The other two were passed onto the Brazilians during the Second World War, survived the war, but were lost in crashes in the early 1950s when in civil service in Brazil.
These aircraft were followed by three models of Electra that were impressed into military service with the USAAF after the outbreak of the Second World War.
The C-36A was the designation given to fifteen Model 10-As, powered by the same 450hp R-985-13 engine as the Y1C-36.
The C-36B was the designation given to five Model 10-Es, powered by two 600hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340-49 engines.
The C-36C was the designation given to seven Model 10-Bs, powered by two 440hp Wright R-975-13 engines. This was the only version of the Electra not to use Pratt & Whitney engines.
Most of the C-36s spent their military career operating within the Continental United States. Those impressed aircraft that survived were returned to their original owners after the end of the war.
Y1C-36/ C-36A
Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney R-985-13 Wasp Jrs
Power: 450hp each
Crew: 2
Wing span: 55ft
Length: 38ft 7in
Height: 10ft 1in
Empty weight: 6,454lb
Loaded weight: 10,300lb
Maximum speed: 202mph at 5,000ft
Cruising speed: 190mph
Service ceiling: 19,400ft
Normal range: 810 miles