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MITSUBISHI MU-300 DIAMOND
Mitsubishi MU-300 Diamond for sale: The Japanese Jet That Became the Beechjet 400
The 1978 Surprise from Nagoya
In the late 1960s, Mitsubishi started looking at the same light business jet market that Cessna was targeting with the Citation. The company already had the MU-2 turboprop. The next step was a clean-sheet jet.
The MU-300 Diamond prototype flew for the first time on August 29, 1978. Mitsubishi chose a swept wing and a relatively large cabin, then took the difficult route of pursuing U.S. FAR Part 25 certification. The certification effort took longer than planned, and the final aircraft was heavier than the original target. FAA certification arrived on November 6, 1981.
The aircraft was developed in several versions. Diamond I used Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-4 engines. Diamond IA introduced the JT15D-4D and performance improvements. Diamond II moved to the 2,900 lbf JT15D-5.
Then Mitsubishi made the decision that changed the story.
In 1985, Beechcraft acquired the production rights and unfinished airframes. The aircraft became the Beechjet 400, followed by the 400A and later Hawker 400 versions. FAA records today still group MU-300, MU-300-10, 400 and 400A under the same MU-300/BE-400 type-rating designation.
The MU-300 Diamond prototype flew for the first time on August 29, 1978. Mitsubishi chose a swept wing and a relatively large cabin, then took the difficult route of pursuing U.S. FAR Part 25 certification. The certification effort took longer than planned, and the final aircraft was heavier than the original target. FAA certification arrived on November 6, 1981.
The aircraft was developed in several versions. Diamond I used Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-4 engines. Diamond IA introduced the JT15D-4D and performance improvements. Diamond II moved to the 2,900 lbf JT15D-5.
Then Mitsubishi made the decision that changed the story.
In 1985, Beechcraft acquired the production rights and unfinished airframes. The aircraft became the Beechjet 400, followed by the 400A and later Hawker 400 versions. FAA records today still group MU-300, MU-300-10, 400 and 400A under the same MU-300/BE-400 type-rating designation.
Specifications That Started a Dynasty
- Engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-4
- Thrust: 2,500 lbf each
- Published cruise speed: 400 kt class
- Maximum operating altitude: approximately FL410
- Seven-seat configuration was available
- Maximum takeoff weight: 14,630 lb in Mitsubishi's published specification
Three Reasons an Owner Might Choose It
- It gives you a genuinely unusual cabin and speed combination.
- The Mitsubishi engineering is part of the appeal.
- There is a real choice between the variants.
That distinction is useful when comparing aircraft that may all be advertised simply as an "MU-300."
Mitsubishi MU-300 Diamond Competitors
Cessna Citation II for sale:
Range: AOPA lists about 1,200 nm with NBAA IFR reserves.
Passengers: Up to 8 in the standard Citation II configuration.
The Citation II is the most natural period comparison. It uses the same basic JT15D-4 engine family but keeps the straight wing. Its cruise speed is lower, while its runway characteristics and large installed fleet make it a different ownership proposition. AOPA lists 375 knots and 1,200 nm for the Citation II.
Learjet 35A for sale:
Range: 2,196 nm with IFR reserves in AOPA's specification.
Passengers: Up to 10.
The Learjet 35A is the performance alternative. It cruises around 440 knots and has substantially more published range than the Diamond IA. If the mission is mostly long sectors, the Learjet deserves attention. The Diamond's advantage is the different cabin and swept-wing design at a smaller scale.
Dassault Falcon 10 for sale:
Range: roughly 1,500 nm class, depending on the source and operating assumptions.
Passengers: Typically five to seven.
The Falcon 10 is another swept-wing business jet from the same era. It is a useful comparison because both aircraft were designed around speed rather than the straight-wing approach used by early Citations. The Falcon has the stronger Dassault pedigree and a different cabin philosophy, while the Diamond is directly connected to the later Beechjet family.
Range: AOPA lists about 1,200 nm with NBAA IFR reserves.
Passengers: Up to 8 in the standard Citation II configuration.
The Citation II is the most natural period comparison. It uses the same basic JT15D-4 engine family but keeps the straight wing. Its cruise speed is lower, while its runway characteristics and large installed fleet make it a different ownership proposition. AOPA lists 375 knots and 1,200 nm for the Citation II.
Learjet 35A for sale:
Range: 2,196 nm with IFR reserves in AOPA's specification.
Passengers: Up to 10.
The Learjet 35A is the performance alternative. It cruises around 440 knots and has substantially more published range than the Diamond IA. If the mission is mostly long sectors, the Learjet deserves attention. The Diamond's advantage is the different cabin and swept-wing design at a smaller scale.
Dassault Falcon 10 for sale:
Range: roughly 1,500 nm class, depending on the source and operating assumptions.
Passengers: Typically five to seven.
The Falcon 10 is another swept-wing business jet from the same era. It is a useful comparison because both aircraft were designed around speed rather than the straight-wing approach used by early Citations. The Falcon has the stronger Dassault pedigree and a different cabin philosophy, while the Diamond is directly connected to the later Beechjet family.
The Verdict
The Mitsubishi MU-300 Diamond for sale is a fast, compact early business jet with a larger cabin than its size suggests and a direct connection to the Beechjet 400 family.
The Diamond IA is probably the most balanced version for a buyer focused on the original Mitsubishi design, while the Diamond II is the one to examine when additional engine thrust is important.
Its weakness is equally clear. This is a 1980s aircraft, and runway performance, engine status, avionics and airworthiness records can change the buying decision quickly.
If the mission is six passengers and roughly 900 to 1,000 nm, a well-documented MU-300 deserves a serious comparison with the Citation II, Learjet 35A and Falcon 10.
Looking for a Mitsubishi MU-300 for Sale?
Give us the mission first:
The Diamond IA is probably the most balanced version for a buyer focused on the original Mitsubishi design, while the Diamond II is the one to examine when additional engine thrust is important.
Its weakness is equally clear. This is a 1980s aircraft, and runway performance, engine status, avionics and airworthiness records can change the buying decision quickly.
If the mission is six passengers and roughly 900 to 1,000 nm, a well-documented MU-300 deserves a serious comparison with the Citation II, Learjet 35A and Falcon 10.
Looking for a Mitsubishi MU-300 for Sale?
Give us the mission first:
- How many passengers?
- Which routes?
- How much range do you need?
- What year or configuration do you prefer?
- What are your requirements for engines, maintenance and avionics?
- Where will the aircraft be registered and operated?
MITSUBISHI MU-300 DIAMOND OVERVIEW
MITSUBISHI MU-300 DIAMOND ROUTE PERFOMANCE
MITSUBISHI MU-300 DIAMOND VS COMPETITORS
Note: Seats (max) indicates maximum seating capacity; actual seating may vary by aircraft configuration. Range is indicative and may vary depending on configuration, payload, weather, operating conditions and other factors. Price ranges reflect current market asking prices and are provided for reference only. Actual prices may vary depending on the specific aircraft, condition, configuration, maintenance status and market conditions.