Lockheed JetStar
| JetStar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| NASA JetStar | |
| Role | Transport |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Corporation |
| First flight | 1957 |
| Primary user | United States Air Force |
| Number built | 204 |
The Lockheed JetStar (company designations L-329 and L-1329; designated C-140 in USAF service) is a business jet produced from the early 1960s through the 1970s. The JetStar was the first dedicated business jet to enter service. It was also one of the largest aircraft in the class for many years, seating ten plus two crew. It is distinguishable from other small jets by its four engines, mounted on the rear of the fuselage in a similar layout to the larger Vickers VC10 airliner, and the "slipper"-style fuel tanks fixed to the wings.
Development
The JetStar originated as a private project within Lockheed, with an eye to winning a USAF requirement that was later dropped due to budget cuts. Lockheed decided to continue the project on their own for the business market.
The first two prototypes were equipped with two Bristol Siddeley Orpheus engines, the first of these flying on 4 September 1957. The second of these was also equipped with the wing-mounted "slipper tanks", which was originally to be an option. Lockheed attempted to arrange a contract to produce the Orpheus in the US, but when these negotiations failed they re-engined the second prototype, N329K, with four Pratt & Whitney JT12 in 1959. The slipper tanks were removed and placed on the first prototype, N329J. N329J served as Clarence Johnson's personal transport for some time. The JT12 fit proved successful and was selected for the production versions, the first of which flew in mid 1960. These versions entered commercial service in 1961.
Design
Variants
- Jetstar I
- Business, executive transport aircraft, with accommodation for a crew of two and ten passengers, powered by four 3,300 lbf (14.7 kN) thrust Pratt & Whitney JT12A-8 turbojet engines.
- Jetstar II
- New production version, powered by four 3,700 lbf (16.5 kN) thrust Garrett TFE731-3 turbofan engines, and fitted with revised external fuel tanks, 40 built.
- Jetstar 731
- Modified version, fitted with four Garrett TFE731-1 turbofan engines, and equipped with redesigned external fuel tanks.
- C-140A
- Flight inspection aircraft for the US Air Force, similar to the Jetstar I, five built.
- C-140B
- Passenger, cargo transport aircraft for the US Air Force, similar to the C-140A, five built.
- VC-140B
- VIP transport aircraft for the US Air Force, similar to the C-140B, six built.
- C-140C
- Two JetStar 6s were ordered by the United States Navy, originally designated UV-1, but not delivered.
- T-40
- US military designation for a proposed trainer version of the C-140 for evaluation, not built.
- AAI FanStar
- Was a conversion by American Aviation Industries with two General Electric CF34 engines in place of the four JT12 turbojets or TFE731 turbofans which first flew on 5 September 1986. Only one aircraft was converted.
Operators
Civil operators
Military operators
Accidents and incidents
Aircraft on display
Specifications (JetStar II)
Data from Lockheed Aircraft since 1913
General characteristics
Notable appearances in media
JetStars have appeared in a number of films and television series including the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger, and the 1997 film Face/Off.
See also
References
Notes
Bibliography
- Taylor, John W.R. (ed) Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1989-90. London:Jane's Yearbooks, 1989. ISBN 0 7106-0896-9
- Francillon, René J. Lockheed Aircraft since 1913. London:Putnam, 1982. ISBN 0-370-30329-6.
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