Business Jets - The Lockheed JetStar

The Lockheed L-1329 JetStar is a business jetdown for landing, and the trim is provided by pivoting
produced from the early 1960s through the 1970s. Itthe entire vertical stabilizer, which is considered an
originated as a private project attempting to win aodd characteristic by experienced aircraft designers.
United States Air Force contract that was laterThe JetStar is considered a relatively heavy aircraft
dropped. Lockheed then decided to continue thefor its class. Weighting 25,250 lb when empty and
project for the business market. The first JetStarhaving a max takeoff weight of 44,500 lb, it has a
prototype first flew on September 4, 1957.maximum cruising speed of 0.8 Mach at 21,000 feet,
Two prototypes were initially constructed usingand a range of about 2,500 miles with a 3,500 lb
Bristol Siddeley Orpheus turbojets; one of these waspayload.
experimentally re-engined with a set of four PrattIthas a crew of two pilots and the cabin offers
& Whitney JT12 in 1959, implying a laterseating for up to ten passengers. The length of the
selection of the JT12 for production aircraft. The firstfuselage is 60 ft 5 in, with a 54 ft 5 in wingspan and
of these prototypes flew in the mid 1960's.a height of 20 ft 5 in. The aircraft has a service
The JetStar was the first business jet to enterceiling of 43,000 ft.
service when the first civil configured one wasThe subsequent JetStar II differs from the earlier
delivered in early 1961. Meanwhile the JetStar enteredaircraft primarily in its four Garrett TFE731 turbofans
service with the USAF in 1962 as the C140 navalwith their significantly improved fuel consumption,
calibration aircraft and the VC140 VIP transport inresulting in substantial improvements in operating
late 1961.costs, range and lower noise levels, while more
Besides its fairly typical business jet layout, thepower allows a higher maximum takeoff weight.
JetStar is distinguishable from other small jets by itsThis version is generally similar, with a number of
four engines, mounted on the rear of the fuselage,detail changes. The cockpit area has some
and the fuel tanks fixed to the wings. It has amodifications, larger engines, and the fuel tanks are
cruciform tail and a thirty degree swept wing, whichlarger and sit with their upper surfaces flush with the
features large fuel tanks at about half-span. Thewing, rather than being centered on it. The first of
horizontal stabilizer is mounted at the top of thethese flew on August 18, 1976, and has remained in
vertical stabilizer. A speed brake is located on theproduction until 1979.
underside of the fuselage to help slow the aircraft