Summary
- The Lockheed JetStar was the first business jet to be built.
- The JetStar had a comparatively large passenger capacity and remained popular for decades
- It was used in various capacities, including by several air forces and in private ownership. It has now retired from military and government roles, and is rare or retired in private use.
The Lockheed JetStar was a significant development. It was the first small business jet to be built – although other smaller twin-engine aircraft popularized the private flying concept. It first flew in 1957, and the last regularly used original JetStar was retired in 2019.
The first private jet?
The Lockheed JetStar embarked on its maiden flight on September 4th, 1957, and entered service in 1961. As such, it was the first private jet (an aircraft designed for private business use) to be launched. The Learjet 23 (pictured below), however, is often credited as being the first private jet – which, in some ways, makes sense.
Photo: OLEG PLESHKOV | Shutterstock
The JetStar was a relatively large aircraft with a passenger capacity of up to 10 (plus two crew); it was a heavier jet with four rear-mounted engines. The Learjet 23 was much lighter, with two engines and a capacity of four to six passengers and two pilots.
The Learjet captured the private market better at the time. It was smaller, faster, lighter, and more affordable. Only 100 Learjet 23 aircraft were built, but Learjet quickly followed with the Learjet 24 and Learjet 25, of which 259 and 369 units were built, respectively.
The original JetStar offered the following specifications and performance:
|
Crew |
Two pilots plus one flight attendant |
|---|---|
|
Capacity |
8-10 passengers |
|
Engines |
4 × Garrett TFE731-3 turbofans |
|
Cruise speed |
438 knots (811 km/h) |
|
Maximum altitude |
43,000 ft (13,105 m) |
|
Range |
2,604 NM (4,820 km) |
|
Aircraft length |
60 ft 5 in (18.41 m) |
Nevertheless, the Lockheed JetStar remained popular for some time. It remained in production up to 1980, with 202 aircraft built. It was the only business jet that Lockheed ever launched. The original JetStar was improved with two further variants. The JetStar 731 and JetStar II added additional fuel tanks and engine upgrades for increased range, reduced noise, and improved performance.
Rare Rear-Engined Quadjet: The Story Of The Lockheed JetStar
The aircraft has a long and varied history, catering to VIP and military operators alike.
JetStar operators
The JetStar quadjet saw a range of different uses – in both airline operations, government and military services, and with private owners. The aircraft was popular with the US Air Force (flying with the designation C-140). Over 20 JetStar aircraft served many roles, including transport, equipment testing, training, and even presidential duties (as VC-140). Several aircraft even saw service in Asia during the Vietnam War. The US retired them mostly in the 1990s.
Many other air forces operated the JetStar, including in:
- Canada
- Germany
- Mexico
- Iraq
- Iran (pictured below)
- Indonesia
- Saudi Arabia
There are reports of the Mexican Air Force and the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force operating these the latest – with the JetStar likely still operating last year. It is likely that these have now been retired or at least taken out of service.
The latest 2024 “World Air Forces” Report from Flight International does not list them in these air forces’ inventory.
The aircraft also saw limited airline service in the 1970s – as private or corporate aircraft, not passenger service. This included TWA and Eastern Air Lines in the US.
Private use was more common
The majority of examples, though, were for individual owners. Perhaps the most famous JetStar owner was Elvis Presley. He owned two different aircraft, which he named Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II.
Recently, one of Elvis Presley’s former JetStars has been back in the news. The aircraft was put up for auction in January 2023, after having sat unused for 35 years.
What Happened To Elvis Presley’s Fleet Of Private Jets?
Elvis had three planes: A Convair 880 and two Lockheed JetStars.
As is typical with many aircraft types, the JetStar remained flying in private use for much longer than in commercial or government service. Several accounts suggest it was a common sight at smaller airports (mainly in the US) well into the 2000s. The video below shows a privately operated JetStar aircraft at Portland International Airport in 2006.
Retiring the original JetStar
The last operational original JetStar aircraft was retired in 2019. This was with registration N313JS and was in service for 53 years (according to reporting by Avweb.com). The aircraft was first purchased in 1966 by the tobacco company R.J. Reynolds Company. It was later owned by the Saudi Royal Family and then a Florida-based family. This family used the aircraft for around 30 years before retiring and donating it to the Marietta Aviation History and Technology Center.
The improved JetStar II aircraft have been much more common in recent years. These were not only improved with new engines and increased range, they were also the last to be produced (up to 1979).
There are occasional reports of an aircraft flying to storage or moving location, but it seems they, too, are not in common use anymore. This, of course, makes sense. Their age and the obvious inefficiencies of four engines today would make them hard to operate. If you know something different or have seen one flying, do share it with us.
5 Ways The Lockheed JetStar Pioneered The Private Jet Age
Lockheed’s business aircraft was a true pioneer.
Would you like to share more details of the history or sightings of the Lockheed JetStar? When did you last see one in the air?
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