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This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
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JETSTAR the Unkown "Warbird"

Fri Jan 04, 2008 7:18 pm

The Lockheed Jetstar, the unkown Warbird, first designed at the "Skunkworks" with the design specs by Kelly Johnson.
Saw service in South East Asia and was fired at on the approaches to Kae saehn. Pictures from my collection later.

Fri Jan 04, 2008 7:51 pm

Hey JetStarMech,

While we wait for yours, I'll toss a couple on here I shot of the Travis AFB bird marked as C-140A s/n 95958.

Welcome to WIX!

Steve :wink:

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Sat Jan 05, 2008 6:03 am

Hmmm,
Never noticed the difference in the wing tanks before.

The ones that you usually see are mounted lower on the wing.

Sat Jan 05, 2008 12:38 pm

All them didn't have CAMO either. Some looked really cool .......

Mark H
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Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:00 pm

From the Kamm Collection, here are a couple pics of 59-5958 (the one preserved at Travis) taken at Scott AFB, May 1976. I like this paint job better.

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August

JETSTAR the Unkown "Warbird"

Sat Jan 05, 2008 5:56 pm

Thanks Guys for posting the "Military" pics of the JetStar, those pics were actually the type I was going to post, when I eventually figure out how to..
The WIXer that made note of the differrant style AUX wing fuel tanks were the JetStar model 731 (a Honeywell conversion) from the origional model-6 & -8 JetStar, the Lockheed JetStar II also had tanks mounted below the wings. Also the first models had Prattwhitney JT12-6 &-8 turbojet engines, the later models (which did not see service) had Garrett/Honeywell 731 turbfans.
Thanks Again, Tom

JETSTAR the Unkown "Warbird"

Sat Jan 05, 2008 6:04 pm

Post Script
The aircraft that is painted in the "Airforce One" scheme was actually used to transport VIPs, Generals, Vice Presedent and the Presedent.
The aircraft that has the dayglo orange/red paint scheme and unit band "AFCS" Airforce communications Service was used to check the military nav-aides in the states and overseas.

Sat Jan 05, 2008 7:08 pm

In the late 70's, I attended the aviation maintenance course at Atlanta Area Tech. We had a Jetstar, if remember correctly, was an early serial number, aircraft, I think the second prototype, as a teaching aid. I may be mistaken (long time ago) but I think this was a flight test aircraft with a "bail out hatch" in the belly aft of the cockpit. I do remember that the aircraft had been there a long time, & the brick wall it was parked in front of had marks on it where engines had puked themselves out the tailpipe. I heard that awhile back it was removed from the school, & is in a museum. I would like to find out where this aircraft went to. :?
Regards
Robbie

Jetstar "Prototype?"

Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:49 pm

If you attended a aviation school that had a Jetstar that had only two engines, unlike the typical four, and no wing aux tanks, that was a prototype aircraft!!!
Lockheed made only two of these airframes, they have a history, setting records (cross country speed) Kelly Johnson flew on one or both aircraft, Mrs, Jean Cochoran flew one and set a cross country record for female pilot in one of these.
When Lockheed finished flight testing these aircraft they were put in storage until they were donated to display or schools.
Thanks, Tom

Jetstar "Prototype?"

Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:49 pm

If you attended a aviation school that had a Jetstar that had only two engines, unlike the typical four, and no wing aux tanks, that was a prototype aircraft!!!
Lockheed made only two of these airframes, they have a history, setting records (cross country speed) Kelly Johnson flew on one or both aircraft, Mrs, Jean Cochoran flew one and set a cross country record for female pilot in one of these.
When Lockheed finished flight testing these aircraft they were put in storage until they were donated to display or schools.
Thanks, Tom

Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:59 pm

Given the JetStar's relatively large airframe, I have always thought the aircraft would be a great candidate for a converion to a pair of more modern, fuel efficient engines.

Why hasn't anyone offered such a conversion?

I live in Marietta, GA where Jetstars, C-130's, C-141's, C-5's, and F-22's are/were built. As a kid, I got numerous chances to visit the Lockheed factory. I remember sitting in Jetstar cockpits back in the day during open houses.

My favorite memory was sitting right off the departure end of Runway 9 at Dobbins during the initial flight of the C-5. In hindsight, it wasn't so smart to have spectators there, but I was 5, so what did I know...

Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:59 pm

Given the JetStar's relatively large airframe, I have always thought the aircraft would be a great candidate for a converion to a pair of more modern, fuel efficient engines.

Why hasn't anyone offered such a conversion?

I live in Marietta, GA where Jetstars, C-130's, C-141's, C-5's, and F-22's are/were built. As a kid, I got numerous chances to visit the Lockheed factory. I remember sitting in Jetstar cockpits back in the day during open houses.

My favorite memory was sitting right off the departure end of Runway 9 at Dobbins during the initial flight of the C-5. In hindsight, it wasn't so smart to have spectators there, but I was 5, so what did I know...

Mon Jan 07, 2008 10:46 pm

Kyleb wrote:Given the JetStar's relatively large airframe, I have always thought the aircraft would be a great candidate for a converion to a pair of more modern, fuel efficient engines.

Why hasn't anyone offered such a conversion?


There was... a company called American Aviation offered a re-engine package in the 80's to upgrade to two GE CF76 engines... they called it the Fanstar. I worked for a guy who had one of their promo posters... evidently only one was built.

Mon Jan 07, 2008 11:27 pm

To JetStarMech

As I recall, the sole twin engine prototype was eventually converted to the four engine configuration. It's the aircraft now on display in front of the Andrews Base ops/VIP passenger terminal.

Whyt they didn't use a real ex-C-140 has always puzzled me...as I THINK, it was put there about the time the Jetstars were retired.

One Europe based Jetstar became an ABDR trainer in Germany in the 80s.

As I kid, I got to go aboard one (I'd guess an 89MAW ship) when it came to Richards Grebaur AFB, carrying astronaut Ed White enroute to D.C. My dad was the base ops officer and I got to go aboard it when White was given a luncheon in his honor.
Yes, I got to meet him and get his autograph. For the next few years, a photo of him signing my card was printed in the annual base welcome guide.

Mon Jan 07, 2008 11:57 pm

The Jetstar prototype with two engines (c/n. 1001) was a long time resident of Canada's Vancouver International Airport as part of the BC Institute of Technology's fleet of unique ground instructional airframes.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0838282/M/

It was repatriated to the US in 2006 when it was acquired by the Seattle Museum of Flight in Everett Washington:

http://www.rbogash.com/jetstar.html
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