Photograph:
Hawker Siddeley HS-125-400 VH-TOM (c/n 25242) at Bankstown, NSW in November 1974 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United Kingdom
Description:
Light business and executive aircraft
Power Plant:
Two 3,360 lbst Bristol Siddeley Viper 522 turbojets
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 14.32 m (47 ft)
- Length: 14.45 m (47 ft 5 in)
- Height: 5.03 m (16 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 32.8 m² (353 sq ft)
- Max cruising speed at 9,144 m (30,000 ft): 806 km/h (501 mph)
- Long range cruising speed at 12,192 m (40,000 ft): 687 km/h (427 mph)
- Range with max fuel and 635 kg (1,400 lb) payload: 2,522 km (1,767 miles)
- Range with max payload of 907 kg (2,000 lb) at 687 km/h (427 mph) at 12,192 m (40,000 ft): 2,379 km (1,479 miles)
- Empty weight: 4,990 kg (11,000 lb)
- Loaded weight: 9,843 kg (21,700 lb)
History:
Known for a short time as the ‘Jet Dragon’, the DH-125 later became known as the HS-125 when the merger of several British aircraft companies took place. Designed as a small jet airliner with a crew of two and six to eight passengers, the type was successful in the business and executive role. The prototype (G-ARYA) was first flown on 13 August 1962 and, together with the second prototype (G-ARYB), carried out the certification program. They were joined in the program later by the first production machine (G-ARYC).
The first production aircraft was the Series 1, of which nine examples were completed which were fitted with the Viper 520 engine. The series received much development over the years and, up to the Series 600, production reached 358 examples, including those supplied to the Royal Air Force (RAF) as the Dominie.
The Series 1 was followed by 62 examples of the Series 1A, which had five instead of six cabin windows on each side, and up-rated engines. One Series 1A VH-CAO (c/n 25015) was obtained by the Australian Department of Civil Aviation (DCA as it then was) and, despite a wheels-up landing at Avalon, VIC early in its life, it continued in service for many years, subsequent owners including Arnjul Pty Ltd, Capitol Motors Ltd, Sherrard Aviation, and Tonwip Pty Ltd. It was eventually to be exported in 1991 as 9M-AYI, and then become N750D, but did not leave and after retirement was obtained by the Australian Aviation Museum at Bankstown, NSW. In later years it has been stored at an ultralight strip at The Oaks, NSW alongside the ex-Qantas HS-125 VH-ECE.
Because the de Havilland name was well known in the United States of America, the type was marketed there as the DH-125 resulting in the sale of many aircraft.
The next model, the Mk 2, which was similar to the 1B, was produced specially for the RAF as a navigation trainer. The Mk 3B was developed for Qantas, two being built in 1965 VH-ECE (c/n 25062) and VH-ECF (c/n 25069) as crew trainers, the cockpit layout being similar to the Boeing 707.
VH-ECF was sold overseas in November 1972 as G-BAXL to McAlpine Aviation. VH-ECE continued to fly with Qantas and by 1980 had accumulated 13,000 hours flying time and 50,000 landings. Subsequently, clearance was obtained for operation up to 70,000 landings. It was eventually retired in May 1981, at that time having accumulated 13,926 hours and 53,882 landings. It has been in open storage at an airstrip at The Oaks, west of Sydney.
VH-BBJ, a Model 3BRA (c/n 25169), was registered from November 1969 to June 1972 with Bell Bros Air Charter, later being exported as N3AL.