Beechcraft XT-36

The Beechcraft XT-36 (company designation Model 46) was an American twin-engine trainer-transport aircraft project of the early 1950s. Due to a change in requirements, the project was cancelled before any examples of the type were built.

XT-36
Role Trainer-transport
National origin United States
Manufacturer Beechcraft
Status Cancelled

Design and development

The XT-36 was intended for use in both trainer and transport roles. It utilised a low-wing design, with twin Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engines providing power; the design specified a pressurized cabin, capable of carrying either an instructor and three students in the training role, or two crewmembers and up to twelve passengers in a transport configuration.[1] Top speed was expected to be around 350 miles per hour (560 km/h) at over 30,000 feet (9,100 m).[2] The aircraft was intended to become a standard United States Air Force type,[2] as well as licensed production being set up by Canadair as the CL-15.[3][4]

The project was started in 1951, with the rising demand for new aircrew due to the Korean War, Beechcraft was awarded a contract for the construction of the type, and built a new assembly plant for the production line.[5] Orders totaled 193 aircraft; Canadair was contracted for 227 examples. However, in 1953, shortly before the first flight of the prototype was to occur,[6] changing priorities resulted in the cancellation of the program.[7]

Variants
XT-36A
Military designation for Beech Model 46 trainer for the USAF; prototype completed but not flown.
CL-15
Licensed production by Canadair.

Specifications (estimated)

Data from The Beechcraft T-36[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: two to four
  • Capacity: 12 passengers
  • Wingspan: 70 ft (21 m)
  • Gross weight: 25,000 lb (11,340 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial piston engines, 2,300 hp (1,700 kW) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 350 mph (560 km/h, 300 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 300 mph (480 km/h, 260 kn)
  • Range: 650 mi (1,050 km, 560 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 34,000 ft (10,000 m)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

  • T-7 Navigator
  • T-29 Flying Classroom

Related lists

References
Notes
  1. Ball 1995, p.143.
  2. "The Beechcraft T-36. Flight, 4 January 1952, p.20.
  3. Air Pictorial and Air Reserve Gazette, Volume 20. Air League of the British Empire, 1958. p.395.
  4. Howe 1952, p.22.
  5. Hamlin 1952, p.77.
  6. Murphy 2003
  7. "The U.S.A.F. Budget and Canada". The Aeroplane, Volume 85, 1953. p.162.
Bibliography
  • Ball, Larry (1995). The Immortal Twin Beech. Brule, WI: Cable Publishing. ISBN 978-0964151420.
  • Hamlin, Fred (1953). The Aircraft Year Book 1952. Dallas, TX: Lincoln Press. ASIN B000E8DIX4.
  • Howe, C. D. (August 1952). "Canada on Guard". The Rotarian. Chicago: Rotary International. 81 (2).
  • Murphy, Daryl. "The Beeches that got away". Planes & People. Wings over Kansas, 2003.
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