Midsize Jet - Vintage Production
Hawker 600 (BAe 125 Series 600): Complete Specs, Performance, and Buyer's Guide (2026)
Hawker Siddeley / British Aerospace
Hawker 600 (BAe 125 Series 600): Complete Specs, Performance, and Buyer's Guide (2026)
The Hawker 600 (BAe 125 Series 600), produced from 1971 to 1976, is the final Rolls Royce Viper turbojet-powered variant of the historically significant DH-125/HS-125/BAe-125 family that began in 1962 and continued for over 50 years before production ended in 2013 (over 1,600 aircraft built across all variants). The Series 600 introduced a stretched fuselage taking standard main cabin seating from 6 to 8 (or up to 14 in high-density configuration), Rolls Royce Viper 601-22 turbojets producing 3,750 lbf each, 25,000 lb maximum takeoff weight, lengthened vertical tail and ventral fin, and additional fuel tank in the extended dorsal fin. The Hawker 600 delivers 1,630 nautical miles of range with maximum fuel and reserves, 427 ktas (790 km/h) long-range cruise, and is typically operated with two pilots. From 1973, Series 600A aircraft were marketed as the Beechcraft Hawker BH.125 Series 600A. Some Series 600s were later re-engined with Honeywell TFE731 turbofans as HS-125-F600s. Pre-owned market today: $150,000 to $350,000.
For aviation enthusiasts seeking a vintage British-built business jet with proven Hawker heritage at very attainable cost, the Hawker 600 represents an important chapter in business aviation history.
Hawker 600 Specifications at a Glance
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Category | Midsize Jet - Vintage Production |
| Production Status | Discontinued 1976 |
| Designations | BAe 125 Series 600 / HS-125-600 / Hawker 600 / Beechcraft Hawker BH.125 Series 600A |
| Manufacturers | Hawker Siddeley, then British Aerospace |
| Production Years | 1971 to 1976 |
| Predecessor | BAe 125 Series 400 |
| Successor | BAe 125 Series 700 (introduced 1976, with TFE731 turbofans) |
| Final Viper Turbojet 125 | Yes |
| Crew | 2 pilots |
| Passengers (Standard) | 6 to 8 |
| Passengers (Max High-Density) | 14 |
| Engines | 2× Rolls Royce Viper 601-22 turbojets |
| Thrust per Engine | 3,750 lbf (16.7 kN) |
| Total Thrust | 7,500 lbf |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 25,000 lb (11,340 kg) |
| Max Range (Max Fuel + Reserves) | 1,630 nm (3,020 km) |
| Long-Range Cruise Speed | 427 ktas (810 km/h) |
| Initial Rate of Climb | 4,900 ft/min |
| Fuselage Stretch From Series 400 | 3 ft 1 in (0.94 m) |
| Wing Span | 47 ft 0 in (14.32 m) |
| Length | 50 ft 6 in (15.37 m) |
| Height | 17 ft 3 in (5.26 m) |
| Wing Area | 353 sq ft (32.8 m²) |
| Pre-Owned Price (2025) | $150,000 to $350,000 |
History as the Final Viper Turbojet 125
The Hawker 600 is part of the world's longest-running corporate jet production program (1962-2013, over 50 years), and represents the final Rolls Royce Viper turbojet variant before the family transitioned to Honeywell TFE731 turbofans.
Platform timeline:
- August 1962: DH-125 first flight (powered by Bristol Siddeley Viper 20)
- 1963: De Havilland absorbed into Hawker Siddeley
- 1968: Series 1A/1B introduced (Viper 521 with 3,100 lbf)
- 1967: Series 3A/3B (29 built)
- 1971: Series 600 introduced (final Viper turbojet 125)
- 1973: Marketed as Beechcraft Hawker BH.125 Series 600A
- 1976: Series 700 introduced (first TFE731 turbofan 125)
- 1976: Series 600 production ends
- 1977: Hawker Siddeley merged into British Aerospace (BAe 125)
- 1983: BAe 125-800 series introduced (Hawker 800 family)
- 1993: BAe Corporate Jets sold to Raytheon
- 2007: Raytheon Aircraft → Hawker Beechcraft
- 2013: Hawker Beechcraft bankruptcy ends 50-year 125 family production
The entire 125 family (DH/HS/BAe/Hawker) produced over 1,600 aircraft.
What Made the Series 600 Significant
The Series 600 introduced multiple substantial improvements:
1. Stretched Fuselage
- 3 ft 1 in (0.94 m) fuselage stretch: Major capacity increase
- 6 cabin windows per side: Up from 5 on Series 1A-400A/B
- Standard seating 6 → 8: Substantial improvement
- Up to 14 high-density: Maximum flexibility
2. Rolls Royce Viper 601-22 Turbojets
- 3,750 lbf per engine: Up from Series 400's 3,360 lbf Viper 522
- Higher thrust: Better hot-and-high performance
- Final turbojet variant: Before TFE731 turbofan family
3. Lengthened Vertical Tail and Ventral Fin
- Improved stability: Better high-speed handling
- Extended dorsal fin: Aerodynamic refinement
- Distinctive visual appearance: Easy identification
4. Additional Fuel Tank
- Extended dorsal fin fuel tank: Increased range
- 1,630 nm range: Up from Series 400's 990 nm
- Substantially better range: 65% improvement
5. Higher Maximum Takeoff Weight
- 25,000 lb MTOW: Up from Series 400's 23,300 lb
- More payload-range capability: Operational improvement
F600 Re-Engining Option
Some Series 600s were re-engined with Honeywell TFE731 turbofans, becoming HS-125-F600s. Benefits:
- Stage 3 noise compliance: Major operational advantage
- Better fuel efficiency: Substantially lower fuel burn
- Modern engine reliability: Established TFE731 family
- Quieter cabin: Major comfort improvement
- Extended operational utility: Continued post-2015 U.S. operations
F600 aircraft command meaningful premiums over original Viper-powered Series 600s due to operational compliance advantages.
Cabin Interior
The Hawker 600 cabin features the distinctive stretched-fuselage layout:
| Cabin Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Cabin Windows | 6 per side (distinctive feature) |
Seating Configurations
- Standard 6-Passenger: Various executive layouts
- 8-Passenger: Standard maximum executive
- Up to 14 Passengers: High-density configuration (carrier-style)
- Various interior configurations: Customer preference dependent
Cabin Features
- Rounded rectangular cabin windows: Distinctive 125 family feature
- Low-mounted swept wings: Below fuselage
- Engines mounted at rear fuselage: Quieter cabin
- Stretched cabin vs Series 400: Major capacity gain
Performance
Speed and Range
| Performance Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Long-Range Cruise Speed | 427 ktas (810 km/h, 390 kt some sources) |
| Range (Max Fuel + Reserves) | 1,630 nm (3,020 km) |
| Initial Rate of Climb | 4,900 ft/min |
Engines
Two Rolls Royce Viper 601-22 turbojet engines, each producing 3,750 lbf of thrust (7,500 lbf total).
Critical operational note: The Viper 601-22 is a turbojet (not turbofan). Stage 3 noise compliance is required for U.S. operations since December 31, 2015. The original Viper-powered Series 600 requires hush kits or operating restrictions. Aircraft re-engined with TFE731s (F600 designation) have Stage 3 compliance.
Operating Costs
| Cost Item | Per Hour |
|---|---|
| Fuel (turbojet, high burn) | $1,800 to $2,200 |
| Engine Reserve | $400 |
| Airframe Maintenance | $700 (parts supply considerations) |
| Misc Variable | $350 |
| Total Variable Cost | ~$3,250 to $3,650/hr |
The Viper-powered Series 600 has high fuel burn typical of turbojet engines of its era.
F600 (TFE731 re-engined) operating costs are substantially lower due to turbofan fuel efficiency.
Pricing
| Variant | Pre-Owned Price |
|---|---|
| Hawker 600 (1971-1976, Viper-powered) | $150,000 to $350,000 |
| Hawker F600 (TFE731 re-engined) | $400,000 to $700,000 |
Mission Profile
Best fit profiles:
- Aviation Enthusiasts: Foundational British business jet heritage
- F600 Re-Engined Operators: Stage 3 compliant, modern operating economics
- Aviation Museums and Collectors: Historically significant platform
- Specialty Cargo or Charter (with hush kits): Limited operations
- Pilot Training: Established turbojet/jet experience
Less suited if:
- You need modern integrated avionics
- You require Stage 3 noise compliance without hush kits (original Viper)
- You want fuel-efficient operations (turbojet)
- You need predictable parts availability
- You require modern factory product support
Pros and Cons
What the Hawker 600 Does Well
- Foundational 125 family heritage
- 3 ft 1 in fuselage stretch (8-passenger standard capacity)
- 25,000 lb MTOW
- 1,630 nm range (good for era)
- F600 re-engine option provides modern operating economics
- Very attainable acquisition cost ($150K-$350K)
- Established Hawker engineering
- Worldwide Hawker family service heritage
Tradeoffs to Understand
- Viper turbojets (Stage 3 noise issue, very high fuel burn)
- Production ended 1976 (50+ year old airframes)
- Parts supply via Textron Aviation (post-Hawker Beechcraft bankruptcy 2013)
- Two-pilot operation required
- Avionics dated (typically retrofitted)
- F600 conversion required for modern U.S. operations
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Hawker 600 different from the Hawker 400?
The Series 600 (1971) introduced a 3 ft 1 in fuselage stretch over the Series 400, upgraded Rolls Royce Viper 601-22 engines (3,750 lbf vs Series 400's 3,360 lbf), 25,000 lb MTOW (vs 23,300 lb), and extended dorsal fin with additional fuel tank. The 600 was the major stretched derivative of the 400.
How is the Hawker 600 different from the Hawker 700?
The Series 700 (1976) was the first 125 family variant with Honeywell TFE731 turbofan engines (replacing Viper turbojets). The 700 introduced Stage 3 noise compliance, dramatically improved fuel efficiency, and modernized operational economics. The 700 marked the transition from turbojet to turbofan in the 125 family.
What is the Hawker F600?
The Hawker F600 (or HS-125-F600) is a Series 600 aircraft re-engined with Honeywell TFE731 turbofan engines. Benefits include Stage 3 noise compliance, dramatically improved fuel efficiency, modern engine reliability, and quieter cabin operation. F600 conversions are highly valuable for continued U.S. operations.
How far can a Hawker 600 fly?
The original Viper-powered Hawker 600 has a range of 1,630 nautical miles (3,020 km) with maximum fuel and reserves.
Is the Hawker 600 single-pilot certified?
No. The Hawker 600 requires two pilots.
Is the Hawker 600 Stage 3 noise compliant?
The original Viper 601-22 turbojet engines are NOT Stage 3 noise compliant. Operations in the U.S. since December 31, 2015 require hush kit modifications. F600 conversions (TFE731 turbofan re-engine) ARE Stage 3 compliant.
What is the Beechcraft Hawker BH.125 Series 600A?
In 1973, the BAe 125 Series 600A aircraft were marketed in the U.S. as the Beechcraft Hawker BH.125 Series 600A through a sales partnership. The aircraft was identical to the Series 600A; only the marketing name changed for the U.S. market.
The Bottom Line
The Hawker 600 (BAe 125 Series 600) represents the final Rolls Royce Viper turbojet variant in the historically significant 125 family that produced over 1,600 aircraft over a 50+ year production run. As the first significantly stretched 125 with 8-passenger capacity and improved engines, the Series 600 was a major step forward from the Series 400. At current pre-owned pricing of $150,000 to $350,000, the Hawker 600 is one of the most attainable midsize business jets ever available, though the original Viper engines require hush kits for U.S. Stage 3 compliance. The F600 re-engined variants (TFE731 turbofan) command premium pricing but offer Stage 3 compliance and modern operating economics, making them substantially more practical for ongoing operations.
Quantum Jets supports the platform across private jet charter, private jet rental, private jet card programs, aircraft purchase, jet purchase, jet sales, aircraft sales, aircraft management, jet management, private jet management, aircraft maintenance, aircraft refurbishment, fractional jet access, aircraft lease, and aircraft leasing structures.
Talk to a Quantum Jets broker for Hawker 600 market intelligence and pre-buy diligence with attention to engine status (Viper vs TFE731 F600 conversion).
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Hawker 600 (BAe 125 Series 600) Services from Quantum Jets
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Related Aircraft Guides:
- BAe 125 Series 700: Direct Successor (First TFE731 Turbofan 125)
- Hawker F600: TFE731 Re-Engined Series 600 Variant
- Hawker 800: Modern Successor Platform (1980s+)
Production of the Hawker 600 ended in 1976. All acquisitions are pre-owned. Stage 3 noise compliance must be verified for U.S. operations (original Viper engines require hush kits). Textron Aviation provides parts/support since Hawker Beechcraft bankruptcy 2013. Specifications accurate as of 2026.