Narrative: Lockheed L-100 1966-1973
All-Cargo Flying
Commercial version of the military Lockheed C-130 Hercules that could land on unimproved short strips, yet carry bulky loads and military vehicles. Built by the Lockheed Georgia Company based in Marietta, Georgia, in the north
Atlanta area.
The Hercules was suited to Delta's relatively short haul, small shipment operation in the 1960s. With this plane, Delta offered the first single-carrier cargo service between California and the Southeast, filling a big gap between the aerospace industries
in those regions.
Model -20
After two years of service, Delta started returning its L-100-10 fleet to Lockheed Georgia for a fuselage stretch of 8.3 feet. These aircraft were re-designated model L-100-20. Delta was the first airline to use the stretched L-100-20. Delta leased several L-100s from Lockheed while its own aircraft were out of service during the modification.
Retirement
When Delta's first widebody passenger jets—the Boeing 747 and Douglas DC-10—arrived with their speed and large underfloor "belly bin" capacity, Delta did not need a fleet of specialized cargo aircraft any longer.
Delta operated its last L-100 flight on September 1, 1973.
