Solar Airlines Lear Jet 23
MODEL BY:
N. Nardin
Model Scale:
1/32
MODEL ADDED:
06/14/1966
historical significance
First Albuquerque Visit: 1964
Additional Information:
The Lear Jet 23, also known as the Learjet 23, is an American twinjet, high-speed business jet manufactured by Learjet. Introduced in 1964, it was Learjet’s first model and created a new market for fast and efficient small business aircraft. The aircraft accommodated two crew members and four to six passengers. Production ended in 1966 after 101 aircraft had been delivered.
Solar Airlines was a commuter airline that operated from 1964 through 1966 using Beechcraft-18 and Turbo Tradewind aircraft. The carrier was originally based in Pecos, Texas but later moved to Roswell, New Mexico. On May 1, 1965 Solar was operating an Albuquerque-Roswell-Artesia-Midland-Sweetwater-Fort Worth-Dallas route and at Midland a connecting route was operated to Pecos-Ft. Stockton-Marfa/Alpine-Presidio-Chihuahua, Mexico. Earlier in 1964 the airline reportedly served many other small communities in the Permian Basin including Jal, NM. Service to Albuquerque began by May 1, 1965.
In 1964 Lear Jet 23, number N802L, performed the required FAA’s high altitude airport tests in Albuquerque. Solar had planned to introduce a Lear Jet 23 but the company ceased operating before the aircraft began service.
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