[Learjet 23 aircraft undergoing assembly and testing]

Photograph of three Learjet 23 aircraft (one visible tail number: N801L) undergoing assembly and testing at the Lear Jet plant in Wichita, Kansas, circa 1963. Includes typed press release.

Typed press release included with image: "For immediate release. Wednesday / 18 December 1963. Progress at Lear Jet's Wichita Plant: Number Two airframe (seen at far left) is now undergoing hydrostatic pressurization tests. Number Three airframe (right foreground) has wings mated to fuselage and empennage assembly. This aircraft is scheduled to be rolled-out in January and will support Number One in the flight test program. Number One (center) has logged almost 25 hours in 18 flight tests. According to Henry G. Beaird, Chief of Flight Test, the new twin-jet’s performance has exceeded expectations in virtually every respect. Since her maiden flight in early October, the 9-place, pressurized Lear Jet Executive Aircraft has attained a calibrated true air speed of 605 miles-per-hour at 30,000 feet on less than maximum cruise power."