34 The Aircraft of British Aerospace and BAE SYSTEMS 1977 - 2017
the world, gradually the specification of
the latter had been brought up to the
higher specification of the North
American model and so the differences
between them diminished.BAe and the best-selling 125
Amongst the early decisions facing
British Aerospace was further
development of the 125 to maintain
their market share. Such was demand forthe 125-700 that potential customers
had to join a nine-month waiting list. In
1979 sales exceeded targets and 55 were
sold in October 1980 and BAe celebrated
the sale of the 500th 125 which also had
the distinction of being the 300th sold in
the USA.
As sales were booming and the 125
was third in the small executive jet
market behind the American Learjet and
Cessna Citation in 1980, the BAe Boardgave the go ahead for the 125-800. The
800 was a major redesign of the whole
aircraft which made it look far more
attractive. It had a redesigned tail, new
outboard wings giving an increase in
wing span of 4½ft and deeper fuselage.
Profile changes to the nose, windscreen
and canopy improved pilot visibility and
an EFIS flightdeck was fitted. Overall fuel
capacity was greater and with its 3,000ml
range the 125-800 could easily fly
coast-to-coast across the USA. To power
the 800, the more powerful TFE-731-5R
offered 4,300lbs was chosen.
On 1 June 1983 for its public debut
the 125-800 had a ceremonial roll out
and demonstration flight from
Broughton painted as N800BA. Its actual
maiden flight had been made the week
before, unpainted, registered as G-5-11.
Registered as G-BKTF it carried out the
bulk of the 125-800’s nine-month test
programme from Hatfield. The second
prototype G-DCCC (DCCC = 800 in
Roman numerals) joined the first in June
1983, was used as a BAe demonstrator
and later sold. Certification of the new
125 was granted in the spring of 1984.
Scheduled production was 28
aircraft per annum with approximately
60% going to the United States, 20% in
the UK and the remainder around the
world. Yet not all sales were as executive
jets. In 1988 the USAF chose the
125-800 as C-29A for the Combat Flight
Inspection and Navigation role and the
Japanese Air Self-Defence Force The first of six
125-800s ordered as
flight inspection
C-29As for the USAF
on the production
line at BAe
Broughton in 1989.
The Japanese
Self-Defence Force
ordered similar
aircraft.
(BAE SYSTEMS)The BAe 125-800 prototype N800BA and
125-1000 demonstrator G-BTTX together
in the summer of 1991. (BAE SYSTEMS)