North American T-39 Sabreliner

1958


BUSINESS TRANSPORT	Virtual Aircraft Museum / USA / North American

Successful in both civil and military markets, the North American NA-246 Sabreliner was developed originally as a private venture although the programme launch, announced on 27 August 1956, was in response to the US Air Force UTX (Utility Trainer Experimental) specification issued ealier in that month. Laid out with a six-seat interior and to be flown by a two-man crew, the civil-registered prototype was completed in May 1958, although the lack of suitable engines delayed the first flight, which took place at Los Angeles, until 16 September. The initial powerplant comprised two 1134kg thrust General Electric YJ85 turbojets and, thus powered, the prototype completed its military evaluation programme at Edwards Air Force Base in December 1958. A month later the Sabreliner won its first order, for seven NA-265 or T-39A aircraft with 1361kg thrust Pratt & Whitney J60 engines. Military production eventually totalled 213 aircraft. All military models of the T-39 series were certificated to civil airworthiness standards, beginning with the T-39A on 23 March 1962. North American then launched the commercial version, which was type approved as the NA-265-40 Sabreliner 40 on 17 April 1963. Since then civil production of all models, including the final model, the Sabreliner 65A, totalled well over 600 aircraft when the last aircraft came off the line in 1981. Rockewell International's Sabreliner Division was acquired in 1983 by the specially formed Sabreliner Corporation of St Louis, Missouri to continue product support. At the end of 1990 the company completed the design of a new version of the Sabreliner designated the Model 85. This has a supercritical wing incorporating winglets, a fuselage stretch of 1.5m, and more powerful TFE731-5 turbofan engines, but further development will require a risk-sharing partner.

Specification

MODEL	Sabreliner 65
ENGINE	2 x Garrett TFE731-3-1D turbofans, 1678kg
WEIGHTS
Take-off weight	10886 kg	24000 lb
Empty weight	6420 kg	14154 lb
DIMENSIONS
Wingspan	15.37 m	50 ft 5 in
Length	14.30 m	47 ft 11 in
Height	4.88 m	16 ft 0 in
PERFORMANCE
Cruise speed	0.81M	0.81M
Ceiling	13715 m	45000 ft

Comments

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Dick Davenport, e-mail, 21.09.2010 01:33

First flew the T-39 at Yakota AB, Japan after checking out in it @ Randolph AFB in'62. Than again in '66 at Randolph AFB, at Tan Son Nhut, Vietnam in '70 (Scatback), at Elmendorf AFB, AK in '71 and then at Peterson AFB, CO in '74 before retiring. Loved the bird, reminded me of the F-86 E,F, D,L models previously flown. Great Bird! 3000 hrs of great memories and VIP passengers.

Scatback Scribe, e-mail, 29.07.2010 23:22

T-39A s.n. 61-0675 was assigned to 7th Air Force Flight Operations "Scatback" and served as the designated in-theater airlifter for Gen W.W. "Spike" Momyer, 7th AF /CC. Momyer's dedicated crew chief was MSgt Bobby Mathis, asst. CC was Sgt Nelson Crespo [Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN: July 1966 - July 1967] To learn more about "Scatback" then Google or search Facebook: Scatback - 7th Air Force Flight Operations
- Scatback Scribe -

JOHN MALONE, e-mail, 21.08.2010 21:50

I was fortunate to fly the T-39 at Robins AFB, Wiesbaden Germany, Saigon Viet Nam, Wright Patterson Ohio and Randolph Tx. A fantastic airplane! John Caton was one of our crew chiefs at Saigon.

Bobby Thrower, e-mail, 09.02.2010 01:06

June 1971-1972 I was a flight mechanic for 7th AF Flight Ops. (Scatback). I flew mosely with (then) Maj. Fritz Fries and (then) Maj.Dick Miuller. We brought 60-3484 from Tan Son Nhut, Viet Nam (Saigon) to Cal. for reman. What a trip over the islands! I'll never forget my time with Scatback and the Sabreliners. Fritz Fries recently departed this earth and now flies on God's flight plan.If money allowed, I'd have a T-39 parked in my living room.

Sam Herron, e-mail, 03.12.2009 00:42

I flew the T-39A at Randolph AFB and loved it. My left thumb was not so good on the trim "coolie hat".

Sam Christie, e-mail, 02.05.2009 04:50

Worked on 61-0636 for the four years I served at kirtland AFB.N.M.Had some great times besides a trainer it served as the base comanders transportation.We spent a bunch of hours with a can of never dull on that girl. When she touched down we felt proud as the sun danced off her wings. Great duty Iwas blessed. Amen God bless AMERICA.

Bill, e-mail, 13.02.2009 07:22

As an A&P with Continental Air Lines I worked on the Sabreliner for a short time in 1971 that was used as a pilot trainer and personal transport for Bob Six. It was ordered with thrust revercers. I believe it may have been the only one ever equipted with T /R's On Friday April 13, 1973 after dropping off Mr.and Mrs. Six at Montrose CO. On T /O the left engine T /R deployed. Control was lost and the pilot and co-pilod both died in the crash. The NTSB report states that the pilot miss use of the eng. controls????

Bill, e-mail, 13.02.2009 07:20

Jim, e-mail, 01.06.2008 07:16

Obviously you are talking about the AF "A" model. The Navy "B" had engine driven pumps. I worked the T-39's at Wiesbaden AB Germany form Jan 67 to July 70. I was in the 7101st ABW which was a SAM outfit. We also had VC-121's, VC-118's VC-131D and E's which were Convair 440's. Beautiful acft.

JOHN CATON, e-mail, 18.05.2008 06:00

I ALSO SPENT 13 YEARS ON T39S.THIS PARTICULAR ONE 61-0675 WAS SENT TO TURKEY WHEN IT CAME OUT OF THE FACTORY.FROM THERE IT WAS ASSIGNED TO CLARK AB PHILLIPINES IN 1965. IN 1967 ALL OF CLARKS T39S WERE ASSIGNED TO SAIGON VIETNAM. I HAD THE PLEASURE OF CREWING THIS BIRD FROM JUL 69 TO JUL70. 675 HAD AN HF RADIO INSTALLED AND ALL THE PILOTS LIKED TO FLY IT ON CROSS COUNTRY TRIPS SO THEY COULD CALL HOME TO THIER FAMILIES. THE T39 WAS A DEPENDABLE SMALL TRANSPORT AND VERY FORGIVING FOR THE ABUSE IT OFTEN RECIEVED.

Rick, e-mail, 02.03.2008 22:41

I worked on the Sabreliner in the USAF for 7.5 years and loved the bird. Only time I didn't like it was when some nut cycled thwe hydraulic pump when I was checking the aft equipment bay. My gosh what a shriek!

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