Aircraft
De Havilland's DH.125—Britain’s Long-lived Bizjet
Various versions of the jet were produced for more than 50 years
G-ARYA was the first prototype DH.125
G-ARYA was the first prototype DH.125. The production aircraft incorporated numerous changes. © British Aerospace

What began life as the de Havilland DH.125 Jet Dragon was a leader in the first tranche of business jet designs that emerged in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Like a number of its counterparts, it came to be known by a plethora of names and designations as the ownership of its design changed hands. Although no longer in production, the type—in its most recent Hawker 800/850/900 guises—remains an important part of the business jet scene.

One of the most famous names in UK aircraft manufacturing, de Havilland had begun building aircraft during World War I but had found popular fame in the interwar period with its Moth series of private aircraft. During World War II, many Commonwealth pilots learned to fly in Tiger Moth trainers, while the twin-engine Mosquito light bomber/fighter was one of the conflict’s most effective aircraft.

Loading…