Lockheed JetStar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the airline, see Jetstar Airways.
| Lockheed JetStar | |
|---|---|
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| NASA JetStar | |
| Type | Transport aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed |
| Primary user | United States Air Force |
The Lockheed L-1329 JetStar (C-140 in USAF service) is a business jet produced from the early 1960s through the 1970s. It is distinguishable from other small jets by its four engines, mounted on the rear of the fuselage in a similar layout to the Vickers VC-10 airliner, and the "slipper"-style fuel tanks fixed to the wings.
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[edit] History
A number of JetStars were produced for the United States Air Force. Five of the airframes purchased by the Air Force were configured as Flight Inspection aircraft to perform airborne testing of airport navigational aids. These aircraft were designated C-140As. They began service during the Vietnam War and remained in service until the early 1990s. The "Flight Check" C-140A JetStars were a combat-coded aircraft that could be distinguished from the VIP transport version by their distinctive camouflage paint scheme. The last C-140A to be retired was placed on static display at Scott AFB, Illinois, to honor its distinguished service.
An additional eleven airframes were designated C-140B. The C-140Bs were used to transport personnel by the Military Airlift Command. Six of the aircraft were operated as VIP transports by the 89th Military Airlift Wing at Andrews Air Force Base, near Washington DC. These VIP aircraft were designated as VC-140Bs. The VIP transport fleet occasionally served as Air Force One during the 1970s and 1980s. Several other countries, such as Germany and Canada, have used military JetStars as transports for their heads of state, heads of government, and other VIPs.
JetStar production for civilian use totaled 160 aircraft by final delivery in 1973. Noise regulations in the United States and high fuel consumption led to the development of the 731 JetStar, a modification program which added new Garrett AiResearch TFE731 turbofan engines and redesigned external fuel tanks to original JetStars. The 731 JetStar modification program was so successful that Lockheed produced 40 new JetStars, designated JetStar IIs, from 1976 through 1979. The JetStar IIs were factory new aircraft with the turbofan engines and revised external fuel tanks. Both 731 JetStars and JetStar IIs have greatly increased range, reduced noise, and better runway performance compared to the original JetStars. Most original JetStars have been retired, but many 731 JetStars and JetStar IIs are still flying in various roles.
[edit] Military Operators
- Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, United States (US Air Force).
[edit] Specifications (JetStar II)
[edit] General characteristics
- Crew: two pilots & typically one flight attendant
- Capacity: 8-10 passengers
- Length: 60 ft 5 in (18.42 m)
- Wingspan: 54 ft 5 in (16.60 m)
- Height: 20 ft 5 in (6.23 m)
- Wing area: 542 ft² (50.4 m²)
- Empty: 25,250 lb (11,477 kg)
- Maximum takeoff: 44,500 lb (20,227 kg)
- Powerplant: 4x Garrett AiResearch TFE-731-3 turbofans, 3,700 lbf (16.5 kN) thrust each
[edit] Performance
- Maximum speed: 575 mph (920 km/h)
- Range: 2,866 miles (4,585 km)
- Service ceiling: 43,000 ft (13,135 m)
- Rate of climb: ft/min ( m/min)
- Wing loading: 82.1 lb/ft² (401.3 kg/m²)
- Thrust-to-Weight: 0.333 lbf/lb (0.816 N/kg)
[edit] Popular culture
A JetStar appeared in the James Bond film Goldfinger, the John Wayne film Hellfighters , the Sylvester Stallone film Cliffhanger and the TV series Magnum PI, (Season #1, episode 'J. Digger Doyle,'(4/9/1981), Robin Masters' private jet.
[edit] Related content
Comparable aircraft
- North American T-39A Sabreliner
- British Aerospace 125
- Gulfstream III
- Learjet 25
Designation sequence
- Lockheed: L-200 - L-500 - L-1011 - L-1329
- US Military: C-137 - C-138 - C-139 - C-140 - C-141 - XC-142
