Aviation Workhorses: British Aerospace Jetstream

The British Aerospace Jetstream twin-turboprop airliner is a true aviation workhorse, having reliably served small airlines worldwide since 1969 and, as a trainer, various militaries since 1973. Originally designed in the mid-1960s by Handley Page, the Jetstream survived the demise of that renowned company and the cancellation of a prestigious order from the United States Air Force. It found a home with Scottish Aviation, and later British Aerospace at Prestwick, and proved very popular with commuter operators in the United States and elsewhere. The design progressively evolved through several variants, including the Jetstream 31 and Jetstream 41, and did not cease production until 1997. British Aerospace Jetstream, the second instalment in Fonthill's new Aviation Workhorses series, looks at the origins of the design and its development through several versions, including some design studies that were never built. It includes a comprehensive survey of Jetstream operators, both civil and military, a look at what it's like to fly, and an assessment of its safety record. Also included is a photographic walk-around of the main features of the design, which will interest scale modellers. With many previously unseen photographs and drawings, this is the most comprehensive history of the Jetstream ever published. AUTHOR: John Hayles is now retired after thirty-five years working in the aircraft industry with British Aerospace and Airbus, mainly on aircraft systems. He has been a keen aircraft enthusiast since the age of four, and has developed an extensive background knowledge of aviation history worldwide. He is a member of Air-Britain, the international society of aviation historians. Always interested in the lesser-known aspects of aviation history, he has had several articles published in mainstream aviation magazines. He has also been editor of the Aeroflight website since 1998. 134 colour, 6 b/w illustrations