North American T-39 Sabreliner

1958

Back to the Virtual Aircraft Museum
  BUSINESS TRANSPORTVirtual Aircraft Museum / USA / North American  

North American T-39 Sabreliner

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 
 MODELSabreliner 65
 ENGINE2 x Garrett TFE731-3-1D turbofans, 1678kg
 WEIGHTS
  Take-off weight10886 kg24000 lb
  Empty weight6420 kg14154 lb
 DIMENSIONS
  Wingspan15.37 m50 ft 5 in
  Length14.30 m47 ft 11 in
  Height4.88 m16 ft 0 in
 PERFORMANCE
  Cruise speed0.81M0.81M
  Ceiling13715 m45000 ft

Comments1-20 21-40 41-60 61-80
J. J. Henderson, e-mail, 19.03.2015 21:25

C.M.Koskowski, I also was at Andrews AFB from 1969-1972 assigned to the T-39's. I was the crew chief for two years on T-39 call sign "Pacer 94". I also remember General Daniel "Chappie" James and you are right, he was a great guy that treated all of us the same.

reply

C.M.Koskowski, e-mail, 19.02.2015 17:50

I was a crew /flight mech. on the t-39 at Andrews from 1969-1971.Flow with Senator Barry Goldwater and General Danie "Chappie James jr first African American four-star general what a nice person, many a store to tell. Lots of good times at Andrews and flying around country on the T-39.

reply

Carl Arend, e-mail, 08.01.2015 06:56

I was a crew chief on tail # 10638 @ Offutt Nebraska in 1980 &1981, Does anyone know where she might be resting now? She was a scrap yard in Nevada but heard she other saved,to e a gate relic at Kessler AFB

reply

Dave Clipner, e-mail, 01.12.2014 02:16

I had for 2 years from July 65 to Jul 67 on a slow Saturday morning at Ramey AFB,Puerto Rico to fill the ramp with VC-39's and VC140's. Flight time for desk pilots to get hours for pay. They came to play the Golf Course at the base.. Many came during the fall into spring time. I can remember many GCA's and ILS's into the base. Those 2 types came the closest to controlling a fighter that I had. As Ramey was a SAC base with BUFF's and Gas Passers. I don't think that Andrews had any of those type left at home..When the thoughts turned to golf at Ramey...Very fond memories of an Approach Controller /Air Traffic USAF..

reply

deaftom, e-mail, 24.11.2014 05:23

Frank Alford: The "Capitol dome" marking you remember on the T-39's tail was that of USAF's Headquarters Command, reflecting the plane's mission of supporting the transportation needs of high USAF brass.

However, you cannot be correct about Barry Goldwater's flying the T-39 "alone and by himself", as it was a two-pilot aircraft--a co-pilot was mandatory. In addition, most of Goldwater's T-39 flights made during his presidential campaign period were with my father in the other pilot's seat. In appreciation, Goldwater had his office send my family a complimentary subscription to the magazine "Arizona Highways" for years afterwards.

reply

Bob Nicholson, e-mail, 24.08.2014 10:44

I was a flight crew chief from November 1967 to November 1968. I felt this was the best experience I had in the Air Force. A great group of crew chiefs and pilots to work with. Great trips and experiences around Southeast Asia and Hong Kong. Just loved flying along.

reply

Frank Alford, e-mail, 08.07.2014 10:06

I provided security for Barry Goldwater at Luke AFB when he was running for president. He flew himself from Andrews AFB to Luke in a T-39 that had a Capital Dome logo over the tail number. I was impressed 1)With the plane and 2) that Goldwater flew that plane to Luke alone and by himself. Security Police along with Secret Service convoyed him to his home in Paradise Valley.

reply

Pete, e-mail, 27.06.2014 01:08

Flew in T-39 out of Miramar in 1969 as Air Intercept Control instructor.Jolly Green was pilot.On take off went thru June gloom fog only to lose all electronics. Spent time cyclically thru procedures. Eventually landed with no brakes at end of Miramar runway.

reply

Edwin E. Calhoun, e-mail, 11.05.2014 23:28

I frist flew the T-39A at Itazuke AB Japan. WE received the Aircraft from the USA, Went to the 4PM Briefing and told the Wing Commander that no one on Base was checked outin it. He aid you fly airplanes don't you. Next morning I read the tech Order and checked myseft in it. I later took the aircraft to Kaena AB and tdy to TSN as firswt T-39 assigned to TSN, I flew the T-39 on two TDY three month and
consider the birth of scatback. After leaving Kedan to Andrews AFB for two years, back to TSN with Scatback to TSN for a year and then back to ANDREWS FOR TWO YEARS FLYING THE t-39 AS ip.vip pILOT. retiring IN 1972 I HAS FLOWN THE t-39 FOR 4,960 HOURS. great aIRCRAFT.

reply

Edwin E. Calhoun, e-mail, 11.05.2014 23:28

I frist flew the T-39A at Itazuke AB Japan. WE received the Aircraft from the USA, Went to the 4PM Briefing and told the Wing Commander that no one on Base was checked outin it. He aid you fly airplanes don't you. Next morning I read the tech Order and checked myseft in it. I later took the aircraft to Kaena AB and tdy to TSN as firswt T-39 assigned to TSN, I flew the T-39 on two TDY three month and
consider the birth of scatback. After leaving Kedan to Andrews AFB for two years, back to TSN with Scatback to TSN for a year and then back to ANDREWS FOR TWO YEARS FLYING THE t-39 AS ip.vip pILOT. retiring IN 1972 I HAS FLOWN THE t-39 FOR 4,960 HOURS. great aIRCRAFT.

reply

Dr. jur. Eddz Collins, e-mail, 15.04.2014 23:42

I rechecked my Flight Logbook and it reflects NA-265 (T-39). This was a first flight in 1967 from Nellis AFB (NV) to McCarren (CA) etc The Commercial paintetb acft looked a lot better than the USAF.

reply

Dr. jur Eddy Collins (JD), e-mail, 10.03.2014 23:35

DELETE cooments by "drusmanbello=she.cpm" has nothing to do with this aircraft, and it appears to be a fraudulent undertaking that he proposes.

reply

Max Odle, e-mail, 29.09.2013 01:40

First flew the T-39 at Misawa AB, Japan. Checked out by Erv Ostik and then took over as chief of the Base Flight T-39 Section. Started going into SEA in 1964 ferrying RF 101 pilots in and out of TSN. Was one of the first 30 day TDY crews to fly the Scatback Ops missions out of TSN in 1965 and 1966. Volunteered to go back to VN in 1968 in fighters, but, "based on time in the T-39 and experience in the SEA theater, I ended up at TSN flying the T-39 Scatback mission again. L /Col Roger Harrington was the Scatback Ops commander while I was at TSN from 1968 to 1969.

We had great crew chiefs and maintenance. I had about 800 hours of combat support flying as an IP and pilot and never missed a scheduled takeoff or had an aborted mission. I loved flying the T-39, It was the closest I got to flying "fighters" in my 22 year AF career. Also flew the bird at the AF Flight Instrument Center at RND AFB where Bucky Allshouse was the Center Commander. I ended up with 2,996 hours of T-39 time in a little over 7 years of flying a great airplane!

reply

Pat Keen, e-mail, 06.05.2013 03:48

I was assigned to the 377CAM Sq.and move to 7 airforce to the Scatback Operation as a flyingcrewcheif and was trained by Bob Laymon. This was a very important part of my miltary carree. I was assigned from 1971 thru 1972. I remember Bob as a good friend during those time even if we seem to fly alot back then. (remeber the Milk run we called it)

reply

Dr.jur. Eddy Collins (JD), e-mail, 04.03.2013 21:12

Sorry about the incomplete name /title, as well as forgetting the @ guess I am a bad typist!.

reply

r. jur. Eddy Collins (JD), e-mail, 04.03.2013 21:08

Don't fall for the trick of "Usman Belo /drusmanbello=she,com" placed on 23.03.2912. This person tried the same here in Germany. An attempt to paracite on your bank account later on - after you have furnished the data he is looking for. What kind of "Dr." is he?. In Germany he posed as an Attorney at Law /Rechsanwalt?? By the way I have flown the T-39, however, I think my flight log book at that time reflected the T-39 as "NA-285,"

reply

Jess Hennell, e-mail, 03.02.2013 15:44

I was lucky to be the ass crew chief and flight mech on 62-4453 Peterson field Co. 1965 /66 and later 1969 to 1973 was crew chief and flight mech on 624462 at RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall England of my 21 years it was the best 5 and a half years. I flew with some great crews would love to know what happened to some of them Maj. C Walters and Lt Tim Scruggs. I have started a group on Facebook T-39A flight mech would like to hear from any one who worked or flew on them the T-39 world was a great place to have been in.

reply

Smokey 13, 10.06.2012 21:54

Also one of the best long distance flight we had was to delivery one T39 to asia, from USA base. That tighten uo the shorts at tines. From the States to Alaska, down the chains, next longest hops was to a "island" in the Pafic, 1 /2 distance. Had to locte a "picket" ship for the half way point check. Use the dome on top of the Aircraft, had a Navagator on board & a extra tank behins the rear seat. That was a very close call, had some unextected winds along the way. The next hop was about as long. We had tails winds on that one so we landed on that island. the next hop was to delivery the aircraft. The trip home was first class. Even got to sleep in flight. Got lots of stories, if you have the clearances. Will need you call sign.

reply

Smokey 13, 10.06.2012 21:39

I "crewed" & flew as a flight mech on that A /C for a number of years. Most of the flights were VIP transport. I lost the escape door on the right side in-flight )Over OK city, Was a bit exciting. Also the hyd pump Close to COS. But I do that duty again & again. Was One of the first people assigned to the T-39. Went to many AF & non AF base that had no idea whar we were. That was one of the reasons that a Flight Mechanic was on board.

reply

Mike Evans, e-mail, 31.05.2012 01:47

Correction from previous comment. My DD 214 doesn't show I flew in and landed at several Vietnam bases so the VA is denying any benefits. I never saved anything after discharge. They say that can't even find the H D pay I received before you had to be fired at. If only I could find one of my fellow airmen.

reply

1-20 21-40 41-60 61-80

Do you have any comments?

Name    E-mail


COMPANY
PROFILE


All the World's Rotorcraft


All rhe World's Rotorcraft AVIATION TOP 100 - www.avitop.com Avitop.com