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Lockheed JetStar

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JetStar
An Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force JetStar
General information
TypeTransport
National origin
United States
ManufacturerLockheed Corporation
StatusIn limited service
Primary usersUnited States Air Force (historical)
Number built202[1]
History
Manufactured1961–1980[1]
Introduction date
1961
First flight4 September 1957
Retired1990s (United States Air Force)

The Lockheed JetStar (company designations L-329 and L-1329; designated C-140 in US military service) is a business jet designed and produced by the American aerospace manufacturer Lockheed. It was amongst the first dedicated private jets to enter service, as well as the only such airplane to be developed by Lockheed.

Designed during the late 1950s as a private venture by Lockheed, the JetStar featured a swept wing and a cruciform tail. It could be visually distinguished from most other small jets by its use of four engines, mounted on the rear of the fuselage, as well as the large "slipper"-style fuel tanks fixed to the wings, which extend both in front and aft of the wing. On 4 September 1957, the first prototype made its maiden flight. Originally powered by a pair of Bristol Siddeley Orpheus turbojet engines, Lockheed opted to re-engine the second prototype with four Pratt & Whitney JT12 turbojets; it was in this configuration that the type entered commercial service in 1961. The JetStar was amongst the largest aircraft in its class for many years, seating up to ten passengers along with its two crew.[2] During the 1970s, in response to noise regulations and the JT12's high fuel consumption, the 731 JetStar modernisation programme and the JetStar II were introduced, which adopted newer Garrett TFE731 turbofan engines along with a revised external fuel tank design and modernised cockpit.

Amongst the buyers of the JetStar were several celebrities and public figures, including Elvis Presley, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, and Richard Nixon. One of the largest customers was the United States Air Force (USAF), which procured the C-140As as flight inspection aircraft and communication relays for the Air Force Communications Service, and the C-140B for transporting personnel for the Military Airlift Command, several of which became VIP transports and thus redesignated as VC-140Bs and were occasionally used as Air Force One during the 1970s and 1980s. Several other countries, such as Germany and Canada, transported their heads of state and other VIPs using JetStars. The last operational JetStar was retired in December 2019.

Development

[edit]
The dual engine pods on each side

The JetStar originated as a private project within Lockheed, although the company had envisioned submitting it to fulfil a United States Air Force (USAF) requirement that was later dropped due to budget cuts. Irrespective, Lockheed decided to continue independently working on the aircraft and to target it towards the civil sector.[3] The design process formally commenced on 6 January 1957.[4] Development of the Jetstar was worked on by Lockheed's noted aircraft engineer Kelly Johnson.[5]

On 4 September 1957, the first prototype conducted its maiden flight over Burbank, California, only 241 days after design work had commenced.[4][6] The first two prototypes were powered by a pair of Bristol Siddeley Orpheus turbojet engines,[2] The second prototype was the first to be equipped with the wing-mounted "slipper tanks", which had originally been intended to be an option. Lockheed attempted to secure a licence to produce the Orpheus in the US, however, these negotiations ultimately failed. In response, the company opted to re-engine the second prototype with four Pratt & Whitney JT12 turbojets in 1959.[4] The outer engines were mounted beside the inner ones, an arrangement that was later used on the Vickers VC10 and Ilyushin Il-62 airliners. The slipper tanks were removed and placed on the first prototype. The JT12 arrangement proved to be viable and was selected for the production versions, the first of which flew in mid 1960.[citation needed] One year later, the type entered commercial service.

The enactment of noise regulations in the United States and the aircraft's relatively high fuel consumption led to the development of the 731 JetStar, a modification program which installed newer Garrett TFE731 turbofan engines along with several other changes, including redesigned enlarged external fuel tanks that sit with their upper surfaces flush with the wing, rather than being centered on it, and the cockpit area being reworked with a somewhat more "modern" looking nose and window arrangement. The 731 JetStar modification program was so successful that Lockheed produced 40 new JetStars, designated the JetStar II, between 1976 and 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.[citation needed]

JetStar production totaled 204 aircraft, the final delivery took place in 1978.[7] Most original JetStars have been retired, but numerous 731 JetStars and JetStar IIs are remain airworthy and in use across various roles, mainly as corporate and private jets.[citation needed]

Design

[edit]
USAF VC-140B from below, showing its wing sweep and slipper tanks
Elvis Presley's JetStar cabin, showing the aircraft's characteristic sunken aisle
Cockpit of a Lockheed L-1329 Jetstar

The JetStar has a fairly typical business jet design layout, with a swept wing and a cruciform tail. The wing has a 30° sweepback and features large fuel tanks at about half-span, extending some distance in front and behind the wing.[2] The wings hold 10,000 pounds (4,500 kg) of fuel, and each slipper tank holds 4,000 pounds (1,800 kg) of fuel for a total fuel load of 18,000 pounds (8,200 kg). The wing also includes leading edge flaps (not slats) along the front of the wing outboard of the tanks (these leading edge flaps reduce the stalling speed by an additional three knots), while double-slotted trailing edge flaps span the entire rear surface inboard of the ailerons. The wing incorporates inflatable rubber deicing boots for the removal of ice accumulated in flight. The original prototypes were fitted with a tricycle landing gear arrangement with one wheel on each leg, following an accident in 1962, the nose gear was modified with two tires.[7]

To lower pilot workload, all of the JetStar's flight controls are power augmented.[2] Lateral control was achieved via the ailerons without the use of spoilers. The horizontal stabilizer is mounted nearly halfway up the fin to keep it clear of the engines' jet blast. One feature is that the horizontal stabilizer is trimmable by pivoting the entire tail fin and stabilizer assembly, which has a distinctive unpainted area at the base of the fin.[2] The JetStar does not have any tail deicing capability, nor was it required for certification. An air brake is located on the underside of the fuselage to aid deceleration for landing.[2]

The JetStar is a relatively heavy aircraft for its class, at 44,500 pounds (20,200 kg). Maximum cruising speed is Mach 0.8, or 567 miles per hour (912 km/h) at 21,000 feet (6,400 m). Range is typically quoted as 2,500 miles (4,000 km) with a 3,500-pound (1,600 kg) payload. A typical interior feature seating for up to eight passengers along with a full-sized lavatory, or a slightly denser arrangement that could accommodate up to ten. The JetStar is one of the few aircraft of its class that permits a person to walk upright in the cabin, although to facilitate this, the aisle is sunk slightly so that the seats are raised on either side.[2] The windows are relatively large.

Operational history

[edit]

Following the completion of flight testing, the first prototype was retained by Lockheed and used as the company's executive jet until 1982, at which point it was donated to the Pacific Vocational Institute in Vancouver, British Columbia and used for aircraft maintenance training.[4]

A key early customer for the type was the USAF; during development, Lockheed had submitted the JetStar in response to a USAF competition for a compact four-engined utility aircraft and personnel transport, for which it was selected as the winner and assigned the service designation of C-140.[6] Several models were adopted by the service; five C-140As were procured as flight inspection aircraft for the Air Force Communications Service and were used to perform airborne testing of airport navigational aids (navaids) from 1962 onwards. They entered service amid the Vietnam War and remained in active use until the early 1990s. The "Flight Check" C-140As were combat-coded aircraft that could be distinguished from the VIP transport version by their distinctive paint scheme. The C-140As were deployed to southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, where, in addition to their more usual navaid testing, they would loiter off the coast and act as communications relays between the Pentagon and the battlefield.[8] The last C-140A to be retired was placed on static display at Scott AFB, Illinois.[citation needed]

The USAF also introduced an additional eleven JetStars, designated C-140B, although the first of these actually predated the C-140As when it was delivered in late 1961. The C-140Bs were used to transport personnel by the Military Airlift Command. Six of the aircraft (tail numbers 61–2488, 61–2489, 61–2490, 61–2491, 61-2492 and 61–2493) were fitted with more luxurious interiors and operated as VIP transports by the 89th Military Airlift Wing at Andrews Air Force Base, being designated as VC-140Bs.[6] While the type was never allocated as the primary presidential aircraft, several US presidents, including Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan, made frequent use of VC-140Bs across the 1970s and 1980s, being occasionally designated as Air Force One during such flights.[9] During the presidency of Jimmy Carter, he used a dedicated VC-140B extensively for short trips and it was known within the Special Air Missions Wing as "Peanut One."[citation needed]

One of the first civil organizations in the world to operate an executive jet was Department of Transport, which operated a total of three between 1962 and 1986.[5] The organisation used these for airway inspection and personnel transport, the latter included flights carrying the Prime Minister of Canada as well as numerous domestic and foreign officials. A total of eight JetStars were active in Canada.[5]

Numerous celebrities and public figures flown on, or even owned, JetStars. Elvis Presley owned two JetStars at different times; the second was named Hound Dog II and is on display at Graceland.[10] Several other celebrities, such as Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra also owned one.[11][12] After Richard Nixon left office, he purchased a JetStar for personal use.[11] Nixon's JetStar was subsequently sold to the Shah of Iran and later to Puerto Rican boy band Menudo.[citation needed] Several heads of state, heads of government, and other VIPs are known to have made use of JetStars.

The last operational JetStar (N313JS) was retired in December 2019, and is now preserved at the Aviation History & Technology Center in Marietta, GA.[13] However, in November 2020, a Jetstar II (N700RM) was flown from Texas to Oregon.[14] In December 2020, another Jetstar II (N710RM) was also ferried from Texas to Oregon.[15]

Variants

[edit]
JetStar I
Business, executive transport aircraft, with accommodation for a crew of two and ten passengers, powered by four 3,300 pounds-force (15 kN) thrust Pratt & Whitney JT12A-8 turbojet engines.
JetStar II
New production version, powered by four 3,700 pounds-force (16 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
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.[16] Only one aircraft was converted. The work on the interior of the demonstrator was the subject of litigation in federal court in the late 1980s and early 1990s.[17]

Operators

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Civil operators

[edit]
The NASA Dryden C-140 testing propfan designs in 1981
Algeria
Iraq
Mexico
Puerto Rico
United States

Military and government operators

[edit]
A US Air Force VC-140B
Canada
West Germany
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
  • Iraqi Government[24]
Kuwait
  • Kuwait Government[24]
Libya
  • Libyan Arab Air Force[24]
  • Libyan Government[24]
Lithuania
Mexico
Saudi Arabia
United States

Accidents and incidents

[edit]
  • On 25 March 1976, a Jetstar taking off from Chicago Midway Airport overran runway 13R and crashed killing all four occupants on board.[25]
  • On 29 March 1981, a JetStar inbound from Nigeria overran runway 08 at London Luton Airport. The co-pilot suffered severe spinal injuries but the commanding pilot and seven passengers escaped with only minor injuries.[26]
  • On 5 January 1995, an Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) JetStar crashed during an emergency landing, killing all 12 on board including General Mansour Sattari, commander of the IRIAF.[27]

Aircraft on display

[edit]
Canada
  • C-FDTX (c/n 5018) L-1329 Jetstar 6 – The Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa, has an L-1329 Jetstar 6 that the Department of Transport used to carry government officials and foreign dignitaries.[28]
  • C-FDTF (c/n 5088) L-1329 Jetstar 6 – The Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum has a Jetstar that was used by the Canadian Prime Minister and other government officials.[29]
Indonesia
Indonesian Air Force Lockheed JetStar in Dirgantara Mandala Museum
Mexico
United Kingdom
  • N25AG (c/n 5202) L-1329-25 JetStar II - fuselage preserved for guest accommodations at Apple Camping in Redberth, Pembrokeshire, Wales.[41]
The first JetStar transported Kelly Johnson, displayed at the Museum of Flight near Seattle
VC-140B at the USAF Museum
A 1962 Jetstar previously owned by Elvis Presley sat parked in Roswell, NM for decades
United States

Specifications (JetStar II)

[edit]
340
340

Data from Lockheed Aircraft since 1913[43]

General characteristics

  • Crew: two pilots and typically one flight attendant
  • Capacity: 8–10 passengers
  • Length: 60 ft 5 in (18.41 m)
  • Wingspan: 54 ft 5 in (16.59 m)
  • Height: 20 ft 5 in (6.22 m)
  • Wing area: 542.5 sq ft (50.4 m2)
  • Empty weight: 24,750 lb (11,226 kg)
  • Gross weight: 41,535 lb (18,840 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 44,500 lb (20,185 kg)
  • Powerplant: 4 × Garrett TFE731-3[44] turbofan, 3,700 lbf (16 kN) thrust each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 547 mph (883 km/h, 476 kn) at 30,000 ft (9,145 m)
  • Cruise speed: 504 mph (811 km/h, 438 kn)
  • Range: 2,995 mi (4,820 km, 2,604 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 43,000 ft (13,105 m)
  • Rate of climb: 4,150 ft/min (21.1 m/s)

See also

[edit]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

[edit]

Citations

[edit]
  1. 1 2 Morrison, Murdo (12 October 2018). "NBAA: Business jet designs that changed the industry". FlightGlobal.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Loftin, Laurence K. "Representative Aircraft Types". National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Archived from the original on 29 October 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  3. ↑ "JetStar 6". Archived from the original on 3 April 2008. Retrieved 14 June 2007.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Lockheed Jetstar CL-329 Prototype". The Museum of Flight. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Lockheed L-1329 Jetstar 6". ingenium.ca. Retrieved 9 September 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "C-140 Jetstar". Scott Field Heritage Air Park. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  7. 1 2 Bogash, Robert A. "Jetstar History". Welcome to Trains, Planes, and...... Robert A. Bogash. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  8. ↑ Harvey 1966, p. 69.
  9. 1 2 "Lockheed VC-140B JetStar". National Museum of the United States Air Force. 1 October 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  10. ↑ Huntington, Tom (4 June 2023). "One Man's Quest to Restore Elvis Presley's 1962 Lockheed JetStar Airplane". historynet.com.
  11. 1 2 Foster, Justin (11 May 2024). "4 Key Celebrities Who Flew The Lockheed Jetstar".
  12. ↑ Seaton, Michelle (28 August 2015). "The Stories Behind Frank Sinatra's and Elvis Presley's Private Jets". robbreport.com.
  13. ↑ Air-Britain Aviation World March 2020, p. 64.
  14. ↑ "N700RM Flight Tracking and History". flightaware.com.
  15. ↑ "N710RM Flight Tracking and History". flightaware.com.
  16. ↑ Taylor 1989, p. 339.
  17. ↑ Midcoast Aviation, Inc. v. General Electric Credit Corp., 907 F.2d 732 (7th Circuit 1990).
  18. ↑ "Iraqi Airways Lockheed L-1329 JetStar II YI-AKD / MUC". aircraftslides.blogspot.com. 26 March 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  19. ↑ "Iraqi Airways Lockheed Jetstar YI-AKB (1981)". aviationphotocompany.com. 1981. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  20. ↑ "Accident description". aviation-safety.net. 27 May 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  21. ↑ "Avión de Menudo: ¿Chatarra o pedazo de historia? -VÍDEO". 6 September 2013.
  22. ↑ "Eastern Lockheed Whisperstar Emergency Information". pinimg.com. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  23. ↑ "1971 – Eastern Airlines Aero Commander 500B N6291X and Lockheed JetStar 6 N12241 "WhisperStar" at Miami". pbase.com. 1971. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Francillon 1982, pp. 518–521.
  25. ↑ "Crash of a Lockheed L-1329 Jetstar in Chicago: 4 killed". baaa-acro.com.
  26. ↑ "ASN Aircraft accident Lockheed L-1329 JetStar 6 N267L London–Luton Airport (LTN)". Aviation-safety.net. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
  27. ↑ "Iranian Air Force Leader, Military Chiefs Die in Crash". Los Angeles Times. 7 January 1995.
  28. ↑ "Lockheed L-1329 Jetstar 6". Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  29. ↑ "Lockheed Jetstar". Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  30. ↑ "Twitter @DudiSudibyo". twitter.com/dudisudibyo (in Indonesian). 21 September 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  31. ↑ "C-140 Jet Star Pancasila — Museum Pusat TNI AU Dirgantara Mandala". dirgantara.museumjogja.org (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 17 February 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  32. ↑ "Elvis Presley's private jet up for sale". CNN. 21 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  33. ↑ Veronico, Nick. "Outdoor Exhibits - VC-140 "Jetstar"". Travis Air Force Base Heritage Center. Archived from the original on 16 June 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  34. ↑ "Lockheed C-140B "Jetstar"". Museum of Aviation. Archived from the original on 18 December 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  35. ↑ "Jetstar". PimaAir.org. Pima Air & Space Museum. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  36. ↑ Gamino, Denise (August 19, 2010). "Piece of flying history lands on LBJ ranch". Statesman. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  37. ↑ "Lockheed C-140A, 59-5962" (PDF). National Museum of the United States Air Force. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
  38. ↑ "C-140B "Jetstar"". Hill Air Force Base. 27 September 2007. Archived from the original on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  39. ↑ "Last JetStar Retires". AVweb. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  40. ↑ Perry, Kev. "USA April 2013 'The Airshows That Never Were' Tour Part 1". DTVMovements. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  41. ↑ "The Jetstar Thread". FlightAware. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  42. ↑ "Lockheed Jetstar". Pacific Coast Air Museum. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  43. ↑ Francillon 1982, p. 396.
  44. ↑ Francillon 1982, p. 394.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Francillon, René J. (1982). Lockheed Aircraft since 1913. London, UK: Putnam. ISBN 0-370-30329-6.
  • Harvey, Frank (November 1966). "The Air War in Vietnam". Flying. New York, US: Ziff-Davis Publishing Company. pp. 38–95.
  • "Pentagon Over the Islands: The Thirty-Year History of Indonesian Military Aviation". Air Enthusiast Quarterly. No. 2. n.d. pp. 154–162. ISSN 0143-5450.
  • Taylor, John W. R. (1989). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1989–90. London, UK: Jane's Yearbooks. ISBN 0-7106-0896-9.
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