Photograph:
IAI 1121 Commodore N159DP (c/n 52) at Darwin Airport, NT in August 1997 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Israel
Description:
Business and executive jet
Power Plant:
Two 2,850 lbst General Electric CJ610-1 turbojets
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 13.2 m (43 ft 3陆 in)
- Length: 15.37 m (50 ft 5 in)
- Height: 4.81 m (15 ft 9陆 in)
- Wing area: 28.18 m虏 (303.3 sq ft)
- Max speed at 7,620 m (25,000 ft): 845 km/h (525 mph)
- Max cruising speed at 10,670 m (35,000 ft): 805 km/h (500 mph)
- Economical cruising speed at 11,900 m (39,000 ft): 756 km/h (470 mph)
- Stalling speed flaps down: 163 km/h (101 mph)
- Rate of climb at sea level: 1,585 m/min (5,200 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 12,200 m (40,000 ft)
- Take-off run: 830 m (2,720 ft)
- Landing run: 700 m (2,300 ft)
- Range with max fuel and 45 mins reserve: 2,385 km (1,482 lb)
- Empty weight: 4,570 kg (10,075 lb)
- Loaded weight: 7,620 kg (16,800 lb)
History:
In 1961 the Bethany Division of Aero Commander in Connecticut, USA announced it would develop a new high-speed executive transport to be known as the Jet Commander 1121. It was a cantilever mid-wing monoplane with a fail-safe pressurised fuselage, a retractable tricycle undercarriage, a conventional tail unit with swept surfaces, and two 2,850 lbst General Electric turbojet engines. The prototype was first flown on 27 January 1963 and, after certification, production deliveries commenced in January 1965.
In 1967 North American Aviation and Rockwell Standard merged but, as North American already had the Sabreliner in production, and production of that aircraft was to be continued, the decision was made to sell all tooling and production rights for the Jet Commander to Israel Aircraft Industries.
IAI then commenced production under the designation Jet Commander and these aircraft had increased fuel capacity and a higher gross weight. Plans were made for three models, the 1121A, 1121B and 1122, to be available, leading eventually to the Westwind series. There was then a name change to Commodore Jet, the Model 1122 then becoming the 1121C. The designation 1122 was then applied to two development aircraft, which eventually became the Westwind 1123.
One example of the Commodore has been resident in Darwin, NT for many years. This aircraft (c/n 52 – ex N159DP , N159MP, N159YC, N696GW, N1121G, N701AP) was first registered in 1966 to a private owner. It subsequently had a number of other owners, the last being Continental Jet of Tennessee,USA in December 1987. It was brought to Australia in the early 1990s and was expected to become VH-NYJ. However, it was retired and was donated to the Darwin Aviation Museum where it was expected to be mounted on a pylon outside the museum.聽It was noted outside the museum complex in 1997 and has remained there.聽 It is assumed it will be restored for static display in due course and not placed on a pole.