History

The Aero Commander 1121 Jet Commander was among the first generation of executive jets produced from the early 1960s. Due to a business merger the Jet Commander became the IAI Westwind after 125 had been manufactured.

Aero Commander began development of its twin engine executive jet in 1961 to meet the needs of rapidly expanding business in the United States with many dispersed bases.

The prototype made its first flight on 27 January 1963 but the design was then enlarged with a 76cm fuselage extension and greater weight.

The second prototype first flew on 14 April 1964 and the first production aeroplane entered service in October 1964.

The merger of Rockwell (which owned Aero Commander) and North American put the Jet Commander in competition with the Sabreliner so the Jet Commander was sold to IAI which produced it as the IAI Westwind.

This model represents HB-VBX flying for a Swiss charter company in the early 1970s.

Aurora 1/72 kit with home made decals completed by Leigh Edmonds in September 2017.

Data

MODEL: Aero Commander 1121 Jet Commander

ROLE: Business jet

TIME PERIOD: 1964-

ENGINES: two General Electric CJ610-1 turbojet engines of 12.68kN thrust each

WING SPAN: 14.03m

LENGTH: 13.2m

MAXIMUM TAKE OFF WEIGHT: 7,600kg

MAXIMUM SPEED: 845km/h

CREW: 2

SCALE: 1/72

KIT:

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