BAC One-Eleven Takes on Boeing and Douglas in Short-Haul Airliner Market
The BAC One-Eleven was a British short-haul airliner that took on Boeing and Douglas in the 1960s. With its versatile design, it could operate into smaller regional airports and accommodate up to 79 passengers.
The One-Eleven originated from a 1956 project by Hunting Aircraft, which was later acquired by BAC. The initial prototype had two rear-mounted Bristol Orpheus turbojets but was modified to incorporate turbofans after wind tunnel evaluation.
The first One-Eleven flew on August 20, 1963, powered by Rolls-Royce Spey Mark 506 turbofans. However, the aircraft suffered a deep stall accident in October 1963, resulting in a four-year delay and significant design changes.
The BAC One-Eleven eventually received certification on April 5, 1965, and entered service with British United Airways and Braniff International. The type underwent several developments, including the Series 500, which had a longer fuselage and more powerful engines.