https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Sabreliner
The North American Sabreliner, later sold as the Rockwell Sabreliner, is an
American mid-sized business jet developed by North American Aviation. It was
offered to the United States Air Force (USAF) in response to its Utility Trainer
Experimental (UTX) program. It was named "Sabreliner" due to the similarity of
the wing and tail to North American's F-86 Sabre jet fighter. Military variants,
designated T-39 Sabreliner, were used by the USAF, United States Navy (USN) and
United States Marine Corps (USMC) after the USAF placed an initial order in
1959. The Sabreliner was also developed into a commercial variant.
The civilian production version, or Series 40, was slightly refined over the
prototype, with more speed and a roomier cabin. North American then stretched
the design by 3 feet 2 inches, providing greater cabin space, and marketed it as
the Series 60, which was certificated in April 1967. The cabin was made taller
for the Series 70 and General Electric CF700 turbofans were installed for the
Series 75A (also branded as the Series 80).
By 1973, North American had merged with Rockwell Standard under the name
Rockwell International. In 1976 Rockwell contracted Raisbeck Engineering to
redesign the wing of the Sabreliner series. The resulting Raisbeck Mark V wing
was the first supercritical wing in service in the United States. The Mark V
wing was combined with Garrett AiResearch TFE731 turbofan engines, to create the
Series 65. Sabreliner models 60 and 80 were retrofitted with the Mark V wing as
the Series 60A (STC SA687NW) and Series 80A (STC SA847NW).
Sabreliner production came to a close in 1981. The next year, Rockwell sold its
Sabreliner division to a private equity firm which formed Sabreliner
Corporation, the support organization for continuing operators.
Role
Trainer aircraft
Business jet
Manufacturer
North American Aviation
Rockwell International
First flight
September 16, 1958
Introduction
1962
Status
In active service
Primary users
United States Air Force
United States Navy
United States Marine Corps
Produced
Number built
800+
Over 800 Sabreliners were produced, of which 200 were T-39s. A number of retired
military T-39s have also entered the civilian world, since the military versions
also carry FAA type certification. As of May 2007, 56 examples have been lost in
accidents. The Series 65 was the last series run and 76 of them were produced,
mostly for the private market. Monsanto has the oldest continuously operating
company corporate jet division starting with its purchase of a Saberliner 40.
T-39s were used in support of combat operations in Southeast Asia during the
Vietnam War. In late 1965 T-39s replaced Martin B-57 Canberras on flights to
transport high-priority cargo, such as exposed film from photoreconnaissance
missions, from outlying bases to Saigon.
The Sabreliner requires a minimum crew of two, and depending on cabin
configuration, can carry up to seven passengers (NA-265 through NA-265-40) or
ten passengers (NA-265-60 and subsequent models). As a Navy flight training
aircraft, it will typically fly with a pilot, one or two NFO instructors and two
to three student NFOs or student navigators/CSOs.
Specifications (T3J-1/T-39D)
General characteristics
Length: 44 ft (13.41 m)
Wingspan: 44 ft 6 in (13.56 m)
Height: 16 ft (4.88 m)
Empty weight: 9,257 lb (4,199 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 17,760 lb (8,056 kg)
Performance
Maximum speed: 478 knots (550 mph, 885 km/h)
Cruise speed: 435 knots (500 mph, 800 km/h)
Range: 2,170 nm (2,500 mi, 4,020 km)
Service ceiling: 40,000+ ft (12,200+ m)
Thrust/weight: 0.338
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