IAI 1124/1124A Westwind 1/2 - Shachaf (Gull)
In 1961 the Aero Commander Bethany division of Rockwell Standard Corporation started development of a new high-speed executive transport, the Jet Commander 1121. The was a cantilever mid-wing monoplane configuration, with a fail-safe pressurized fuselage, retractable tricycle landing gear, a convectional tail unit with swept surfaces. The two 2,850 lb thrust General Electric turbo-jet engines were mounted on each side of the aft fuselage. The 19 ft long cabin provided service for a pilot and up to eight passengers in a well-equipped and comfortable interior. The prototype first flew on 27 July 1963, and the first delivery was made on 11 January 1965. The Jet Commander can be identified by its low slung fuselage and rear mounted engines similar to its turboprop counterpart, the Rockwell Commander 690. The JC has only 3 passenger windows and no wingtip tanks which identify it from the the Westwind.
In 1968, IAI acquired the rights to manufacture the Jet Commander executive aircraft from the US company Rockwell.
The IAI 1124 Sea Scan is an American-designed Israeli medium/long-range maritime patrol aircraft that entered service in 1976. The IAI 1124 is powered by two Garrett TFE731-3-1G turbofans providing a top speed of 872 kmh and a range of 4633 km at high altitude and 2555 km at low altitude. The IAI 1124 carries a flight crew of two and a two or three man mission crew in the cabin. Generally unarmed, the IAI 1124 is fitted with two hard points, one each side of the fuselage which can be used for carrying disposable stores. It is very similar to the Jet Commander although the Westwind has additional wingtip fuel tanks, larger engines and an extended fuselage with 5 rather than 3 passenger windows.
The IAI 1124A Westwind II can be recognised by the wingtip winglets. This latest version incorporates a supercritical wing section as well. The Westwind II has better range than the Westwind I. The flight performances were improved in aircraft, was established the more economical engine Garrett Tfe731-1100g, which made it possible to increase flying range. The first IAI-1124 aircraft was placed during May 1980. The production of the aircraft was ended in 1987 after delivery to the customers of 244 versions of the aircraft.
