I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… this is one of the most underrated aviation channels on RU-vid! I am always very impressed by the images and history Mike digs up, along with his own personal anecdotes about all these airplanes. Keep the videos coming Mike!
In the late fifties, Cessna proposed a 4-seat pressurized cabin version of the T-37 "Tweet" trainer, designated the model 407, to compete with the MS 760 Paris. Market research at the time showed little interest, so it never progressed past the mockup stage. It was ahead of its time, as it might've been a viable contender in today's Very Light Jet market. And some of the technology and flight experience gained from the Tweet was incorporated in the design of the original Citation jets.
I got to see the prototype Lear 23 sitting on the ramp in Wichita when my dad would pick up new Cessnas and ferry them to Kansas City in the early '60's. 14 years later I was flying copilot on a Lear 23 and got type rated, at the age of 23. Thanks for the biz jet tour Mike, some of them I forgot about.
Another amazing video, Mike! The curious detail is that Learjet prototype first flight was done a day before I was born. I have worked on bizz jet maintenance for years - mostly Cessna Citations and some Learjets - and they are actually my passion, since I was a kid. Greetings from Brazil!
Have to disagree with you there. IMHO, the original Learjet 23 is the most beautiful bizjet ever produced -- and one of the most beautiful aircraft of all time.
Hi Mike. I think Beech began producing the D-18 in 1937, so I believe that would make the C-45 an outgrowth of the D-18 rather than vice versa. Another great video. I love those old propeller exec transports, and I grew up at Van Nuys as the Lear Jet came into existence.
Mike, another super episode in Celebrating Aviation. You might add that the fuselage diameter on the Gulfstream series is the same as the DC-3 as determined by Leroy Grumman himself during the design phase of the series. He thought that was the perfect size for the aircraft to allow passengers to be able to stand in the plane. Mike, has about an episode featuring model kits that were rushed into production and were either based on early prototypes (Lindberg F11F, A-4 and F-86) or magazine conjectures of aircraft that bear no resemblance at all to the actual aircraft (Aurora/Lindberg Mig-19, Testors F-117). Thanks again for such wonderful subjects and stunning artwork/photos along with your knowledgable voice overs.
I appreciated the mention of the Howard 500! I'm fortunate to attend the EAA Airventure on a regular basis, and have seen two of the Howard 500's there. Such an elegant and large aircraft! There are a number of Howard biplanes in the vintage area too. I wouldn't mind seeing a review of Howard's history and aircraft, if the opportunity pops up! All I know so far is that they produced some really beautiful and graceful aircraft.
What a great episode as always Mr. Machat!! It's interesting and very informative as usual. I had no idea there were that many Business jets in the world. I always learn a great deal from your posts. As a kid growing up in the 60's (born in 1955) my friends and I called all Business jets Lear Jets, just like people used to call all photocopy machines Xerox machines. 🤣🙂. We had a close friend of the family, we lived across the street from in the mid 60's, who retired as a Lt. Colonel from the Air Force and went on to fly Gulfsteams for a private Oil Magnate up through the 90's. He was a true treasure to know, and a great role model. You Sir are also a treasure and I enjoy your channel immensely!! As always God Bless you and yours. Thanks again for everything you do. Take care always Sir!!
NEVER heard of the _"Cessna 620"_ before. *EDIT:* There are a couple other aircraft on this list -- besides the _620_ -- that I was unfamiliar with. However, I NEVER KNEW Cessna built a 4-engone transport.
I forgot to add a Paris jet story you will like. A French aviation executive I met during the time he owned Mooney Aircraft, Alexandre Couvelair, was a Parisjet owner. He foresaw the market for a turboprop with the same performance as his Parisjet. He pulled together an unlikely collaboration between Mooney, Socata, and Valmet to produce his dream, the TBM700.
FYI. The Lockheed Jetstar, the USAF AC-140, was used by the US Air Force Systems Command to check and calibrate military runway and air traffic systems and instrumentation. They were stationed at Scott AFB during the '80s where I was an aircraft maintenance officer. The pilots loved flying it. Never got a chance to get a ride one one...rats.
When Bill Lear set up his company he said “If you’re going to build cars you set up in Detroit. If you’re going to build airplanes you set up in Wichita.” There’s a reason it’s called the Air Capital.
I lived and worked at my University's airport. The queen of the fleet was an Aero Commander 560, as @1:10. We kept it our secondary hangar which was a WW2 Quonset-style hanger and the tail was too tall. So a set of mini vertical doors had been cut in above the hanger door meet-line with pulleys and ropes to swing them open/shut. You HAD to remember to open them before firing up the tug. No big deal, except I was Head Linemen of a bunch of lovable non-aviation goofballs who just wanted to drive the tug. So, I hid a switch in the ignition circuit, just in case..... I had to drive the tug as I was the only one who, somehow, could ever get it started. Plus, even alone, if I had to mess with a switch, surely this cues me to open the trapdoors. The arrangement had impending disaster written all over it and this was my solution. I give myself an "A."
Wow!! Mike always has great content. But this, GEEZ, was way above what I expected for this topic. I didn't know much about 'executive jets' outside the few "famous" ones, but I do now! I will certainly watch this again, so I can remember some of the facts and details. Keep up the GREAT work Mike And all of us subscribers... spread the word and lets get Mike to 100K+ subscribers!
After finding out how much it cost my dad to own and operate his Champ, let alone his Champ and Pitts, I can’t even imagine how much it would cost to own a business jet.
Hi Mike! Looks like I am the first one to comment. I think this video is one of the best you have published. I love bizjets, mostly those first generation. Kindest regards from Mexico City!
The first incarnations of Dassault's Falcon look like mini-Caravelles. Just as pretty. Edit. The Presidential VC-140B Jetstar is breathtakingly beautiful. As elegant as the VC-137C (Boeing 707) or the VC-25 (Boeing 747), worthy of carrying, on occasion, the most prestigious callsign in the world: Air Force One.
My employer had a MU-2 back in the '90s. Flew in it from Parkersburg WV to Racine, WI, and landed in a blizzard. On the way back, bump, bump, bump. Went straight from the airport to a restaurant, and 3 Old Crow on the rocks!
Love this subject and love this video Mike. So many cool aircraft covered here. The Howard 250 and 500 are exceptional looking aircraft. Looking forward to the rest of this important series.
If it wasn't for antennas, pitot tubes and AOA vanes, the Gulfstreams wouldn't have thing sticking out. Even the flap tracks are internal. They have a unique, super clean look. Gulfstream should go all the way and find a way to hide all those things with flush solutions. I'd promise I'd buy one! 🙂
I truly love the Grumman aircraft, I do have to concede that the Jetstar is top notch and captures this age of aviation well. A very smart design. The Jetstar - one word - “Goldfinger” 😊. Did they borrow a TWA Jetstar for Goldfinder?
Worked on a G1 in the early 1970's at thre State hanger for the State of Florida. Many tales to tell about that plane. Was flown by a P51 pilot from WW II. Great memories.
Thanks Mike for another great watch. That must be L.A. Harbor at 1:02 "the Avalon steam ship." What was the business jet used in the James Bond movie "Goldfinger?" The Learjet 23 ? Thanks again for all your time and work.
Thanks, Mike for another great video. That shot of the Gulfstream II in that steep dive brought back some memories for me. My father was an Aerospace Engineer for Grumman working primarily on the Lunar Module. After that project was finished he worked on the NASA G II to modify it as a Shuttle Simulator. He talked about modifying the Thrust Reversers so the engines could be reversed slightly in flight to simulate the Shuttle's steep approach attitudes. Without that mod, the G II would probably have gone super sonic in that attitude.
As always, Mike, a fascinating video. Thank you! Totally non-important trivia: Often, in the evenings, I watch the "What's My Line" videos on YT. At present I am making my way through the playlist for 1959 and 1960. Last night, in the show I was watching (July 1960, I think it was), who should show up as 'Mr X' but Arnold Palmer! He was only just beginning to be better known at that time and the panel didn't immediately recognise him ("without a hat on", Martin Gabel remarked!) Now the same Mr Palmer appears in this video!
Be still, my heart! I caught a glimpse of the Beechcraft Staggerwing. Can't tell you why, but I think it's one of the most beautiful civilian aircraft ever built...along with Lear's 23, of course. Thanks, Mike, for your wonderful programs!
Thanks for once again producing an excellent video. However, I must point out that some of the performance and range figures that you mention must have been derived from manufacturers sales brochures. Also, that the Lockheed model 14 was dubbed the Super Electra with the model 18 being known as the Lodestar. Sorry to be so picky. And as an biased old Falcon 20 driver, I would respectfully submit that the 20 still has the best lines of any of its contemporaries. Best wishes.
Mike… thank you for this excellent overview of business aircraft. Some are very beautiful designs that receive little historical recognition, but certainly are iconic.
Thoroughly entertaining topic as always Mike, thanks! Did the Russians (CCCP as was then) have any 'business jets' equivalents during this same period?
@Pierre Parvaud Reading into it, it seems that the Yak-40 was just a really small passenger airliner. But because of its size, it often got converted into a business or private jet.
Thanks for this, Mike, it was excellent as usual. But I have to say that you got my attention talking about the McDonnell 119/220 and said it was “symbolic of McDonnell’s second 20 years in business”. You’ve mentioned before that very few new aircraft came out of MD in the final years and that most of it was derivative. But this is the first real, outright criticism I’ve heard. A real ‘shot’ if you will. So here’s my ‘By Request’. You obviously have strong feelings about the last two decades of MD, and I’d love to hear about it. I know it would be well supported because everything you post is so well researched. But if there’s a story behind their last 20 years, we’d love to hear about it. Thanks, Mike. ‘By Request’.
I was an engineer at McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis from the mid 80's to mid 90's, and Mike's comment got my attention too. The collapse of the Soviet Union didn't help the defense side of the company, but the loss of the ATF competition, the loss of the A-12 naval stealth aircraft, and the loss of a helicopter contract at the same time really hurt. I recall the stock dropping from the 70's down to the mid 20's in that time frame. Very tough times! I have vague memories about problems at Douglas, but never heard the details.
