Fashioned after the Swiss FFA P-16 jet fighter, that was cancelled by the Swiss government in the late fifties, the sleek airframe had caught the eye of inventor and entrepreneur William (Bill) Lear, who saw it's potential for use as a twin engine business jet. After preliminary design work by his company in Switzerland, which was then called SAAC (Swiss American Aviation Corp.), Lear moved his company to Witchita, Kansas in 1962, to begin manufacturing, also changing its name to the Lear Jet Corp. The 1st prototype flew on October 7, 1963. The second generation was first flown on February 24, 1966. In 1967, the Gates Rubber Company acquired Bill's holdings in the company and renamed it the Gates Learjet Company. The Learjet's speed, range and economy of operation have made it the most popular of all business planes.
 | This plastic model kit requires plastic cement and paint for assembly, and they are sold separately |
