Beechcraft XT-36

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



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.

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 pressurised 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, however, shortly before the first flight of the prototype was to occur,[6] changing priorities resulted in the cancellation of the programme.[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

Performance

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
Related lists

References

Notes
  1. ↑ Ball 1995, p.143.
  2. 1 2 3 "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
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