East Australian Airlines Lockheed L-1011-500 "1971-1984"

An operator of the original L-1011-1 and subsequent L-1011-250 TriStar, East Australian Airlines would take delivery of a further 6 longer range L-1011-500s between 1979 and 1982. Originally an order of 10, the airline would later shorten the order to just 6 (opting to pick up an additional 4 747s) after the 500 was delayed, which, to the disappointment of EAA, had been a recurring theme with the Lockheed jet. Some of the changes made to the 500 include a bigger wingspan, a higher MTOW for increased fuel loads (while having a fuselage shorter by 14 feet), active load control ailerons, higher power Rolls-Royce engines, an improved wing-to-body fairing, and extended wingtips. Despite the plagued production process, the L-1011 saw a lengthy career with East Australian, with the last L-1011, a 500, being retired in 1997. East Australian's L-1011-500s were fitted with 12 First Class, 32 Business Class, and 189 Economy Class seats.