The 125 was originally conceived in the 1960s. Initially, the response
in Europe to a business jet was lukewarm, but in North America, the
benefits of individual jet travel were already more apparent, and the
orders soon began to arrive. This interest then extended to Europe, with
both civil and military operators placing orders. The 125 was also the
first Western aircraft to receive full certification in the former
Soviet Union.
With one eye constantly on the competition, there was a policy of
continuous improvement, which was evident both externally and
internally. More than half of the total sales were to the US, so it was
perhaps inevitable that eventually production would be transferred
across the Atlantic. Ultimately, this did not work out as planned and
the various difficulties encountered culminated in the demise of both
the aircraft and the company that built it. With over 150 images, this
book presents the history of the aircraft from its development as a
mid-cabin-sized business jet, which had huge appeal within the corporate
business jet market, to its ultimate downfall.