L-1011 Tristar / Trans WorldTrans World L 1011 airplane model. Work on the L 1011 prototype began early in 1969, resulting in a November 16, 1970, first flight. The engine choice of Rolls Royce's advanced three shaft design RB211 however dogged the TriStar's early career. Rolls Royce went bankrupt in February 1970 largely due to higher than estimated RB211 development costs, severely harming both Lockheed and the TriStar sales program. The problems were able to be resolved after