THE FIRST FALCON
began as the Mystère 20. Its wing was derived from the Mystère IV fighter series and its engines were two Pratt & Whitney JT-12's. Bearing more resemblance to an airliner than a light aircraft, its success is immediate and lasting. In May, 1963, Charles Lindbergh (acting on behalf of Pan American World Airways), flew to Bordeaux to witness the Mystere 20's second or third flight. On seeing it again at the 1963 Paris Air Show, Lindbergh wired Juan Trippe: "We have our plane." Production versions differed from the prototype in several respects,
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including engines (General Electric CF700-2B) and wing (larger span with drooped leading edges for better airfield performance). Ultimately, nearly 500 of these handsome aircraft—generally regarded as the best-looking business jet ever built—were manufactured. Over the years, full-span leading-edge slats, larger fuel capacity and higher thrust engines were offered as continuing product improvements.
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