British Aerospace Jetstream 41
British Aerospace developed the Jetstream 41 as a step-up aircraft for Jetstream 31 operators. It came to the market with this aircraft a bit later than competitors like the Embraer Brasília and Saab 340, and possibly as a result the production run was shorter with about a hundred aircraft built.
Although the main external features of the Jetstream 31 are visible in the 41, in particular the nose, tail and cabin windows, it is a totally different aircraft. The Jetstream 41 has six cockpit windows in about the same nose shape as the Jetstream 31. The fuselage is much longer, but has the same nearly round cabin windows. The wings do not go through but underneath the fuselage. The aircraft has a large streamline body to improve air flows in this area. The nacelles around the wings house turboprop engines which power five blade props. The two-wheel main gear retracts in the nacelles. At the back of the aircraft is a long ventral fin. The vertical stabiliser is relatively broad.
Also the cruciform tails of both Jetstream is similar. That of the Jetstream 41 is less slender than that of the Jetstream 31.
Jetstream 4101, 4102, 4107, 4112, 4120, 4121 & 4122
There is only one basic version of the Jetstream 41. British Aerospace however added two digits for each country the aircraft was certified, for the specific changes required by that country. These model numbers were used:
- 4101 United States
- 4102 United Kingdom
- 4107 Australia
- 4112 Canada
- 4120 South Korea
- 4121 South Africa
- 4122 Thailand (Army)
This Jetstream 41 was originally certified in the United Kingdom, and hence this has model number 4102.
Jetstream 4124
The Jetstream 4124 deviates from the standard passenger versions as it is a search-and-rescue (SAR) aircraft for the Hong Kong government. Therefore it has a search radar underneath the fuselage, in front of the wings. There are also bulges behind the nose gear and on top of the fuselage.
The Government Flying Service of Hong Kong has two Jetstream 4124s in use as SAR aircraft. They have multiple domes for surveillance equipment.
Confusion possible with
British Aerospace Jetstream 31/32
This is the smaller brother of the Jetstream 41, and both have significant similarities. The Jetstream 31 has seven cockpit windows though, a cabin door at the back, a more slender vertical stabiliser and a much smaller wing-fuselage fairing (not to be confused with the baggage pod shown here).
Swearingen Metroliner
The Jetstream 41 is smaller than the Metroliner and but some aspects are even more alike than the Jetstream 31, in particular the two wheel main gears. The Metroliner has rectangular cabin windows though. Also, it lacks the large wing-fuselage fairing.
Saab 340
Although a bit bigger than the Jetstream 41 the Saab 340 is could still be a potential source for confusion. The Saab however has four cockpit windows, rounded rectangular cabin windows and a horizontal stabiliser with significant dihedral, attached to the fuselage.
Grumman G.159 Gulfstream I
Another aircraft of similar size and same basic configuration is the Gulfstream I. However if the big oval windows do not already provide an easy recognition point, then the low horizontal stabilisers and different nacelles do for sure.