Beechcraft T-34 Mentor

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This article is about the propeller-driven aircraft. For other uses, see T34 (disambiguation).
T-34 Mentor
A T-34B Mentor aircraft from Training Squadron 5 (VT-5) in 1976
Role Trainer aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Beechcraft
First flight 2 December 1948
Introduction 1953
Primary users United States Air Force
United States Navy
Japan Air Self Defense Force
Philippine Air Force
Produced 1953-1959
1975–1990
Number built 2,300+
Developed from Beechcraft Bonanza

The Beechcraft T-34 Mentor is a propeller-driven, single-engined, military trainer aircraft derived from the Beechcraft Model 35 Bonanza. The earlier versions of the T-34, dating from around the late 1940s to the 1950s, were piston-engined. These were eventually succeeded by the upgraded T-34C Turbo-Mentor, powered by a turboprop engine. The T-34 remains in service almost six decades after it was first designed.

Contents

[edit] Design and development

The T-34 was the brainchild of Walter Beech, who developed it as the Beechcraft Model 45 private venture at a time when there was no defense budget for a new trainer model. Beech hoped to sell it as an economical alternative to the North American T-6/NJ Texan, then in use by all services of the U.S. military.

A YT-34 on display at the Castle Air Museum in Atwater, California
Piston-engined T-34s of the March Field Aero Club at the March Air Reserve Base (ARB) in California in 2004

Three initial design concepts were developed for the Model 45, including one with the Bonanza's signature V-tail, but the final design that emerged in 1948 incorporated conventional tail control surfaces for the benefit of the more conservative military[1] (featuring a relatively large unswept vertical fin that would find its way onto the Travel Air twin-engine civil aircraft almost ten years later). The Bonanza's fuselage with four-passenger cabin was replaced with a narrower fuselage incorporating a two-seater tandem cockpit and bubble canopy,[2] which provided greater visibility for the trainee pilot and flight instructor. Structurally, the Model 45 was much stronger than the Bonanza, being designed for +10g and -4.5g, while the Continental E-185 engine of 185 horsepower (hp) at takeoff (less than a third of the power of the T-6's engine[3]) was the same as that fitted to contemporary Bonanzas.[2]

Following the prototype were three Model A45T aircraft,[2] the first two with the same engine as the prototype and the third with a Continental E-225,[1] which would prove to be close to the production version. Production did not begin until 1953, when Beechcraft began delivering T-34As to the United States Air Force (USAF) and similar Model B45 aircraft for export. Production of the T-34B for the United States Navy (USN) began in 1955, this version featuring a number of changes reflecting the different requirements of the two services. The T-34B had only differential braking for steering control on the ground instead of nosewheel steering, additional wing dihedral and, to cater for the different heights of pilots, adjustable rudder pedals instead of the moveable seats of the T-34A.[1] T-34A production was completed in 1956, with T-34Bs being built until October 1957 and licensed B45 versions built in Canada (125 manufactured by Canadian Car and Foundry),[2] Japan (173 built by Fuji Heavy Industries),[2] and Argentina (75 by FMA) until 1958. Beechcraft delivered the last Model B45s in 1959.[1] Total production of the Continental-engined versions in the US and abroad was 1,904 aircraft.[2]

[edit] Model 73 Jet Mentor

In 1955 Beechcraft developed a jet-engined derivative, again as a private venture, and again in the hope of winning a contract from the US military.[2] The Model 73 Jet Mentor shared many components with the piston-engined aircraft; major visual differences were the redesigned cockpit which was relocated further forward in the fuselage and the air intakes for the jet engine in the wing roots, supplying air to a single jet engine in the rear fuselage.[2] The first flight of the Model 73, registered N134B, was on 18 December 1955. The Model 73 was evaluated by the USAF, which ordered the Cessna T-37, and the USN, which decided upon the Temco TT Pinto. The Model 73 was not put into production.[2]

[edit] T-34C Turbo-Mentor

A T-34C Turbo-Mentor, which can be distinguished from the B (piston) model by the extended nose and exhaust stacks on either side behind the prop

After a production hiatus of almost 15 years, the T-34C Turbo-Mentor powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25 turboprop engine was developed in 1973.[2][4] Development proceeded at the behest of the USN, which supplied two T-34Bs for conversion.[4] After re-engining with the PT6, the two aircraft were redesignated as YT-34Cs, the first of these flying with turboprop power for the first time on 21 September 1973.[4] Mentor production re-started in 1975 for deliveries of T-34Cs to the USN and of the T-34C-1 armed version for export customers in 1977, this version featuring four underwing hardpoints.[1] The last Turbo-Mentor rolled off the production line in 1990.[2]

[edit] Operational history

The first flight of the Model 45 was on 2 December 1948, by Beechcraft test pilot Vern Carstens.[2] In 1950 the USAF ordered three Model A45T test aircraft, which were given the military designation YT-34.[2] A long competition followed to determine a new trainer, and in 1953 the Air Force put the Model 45 into service as the T-34A Mentor, while the USN followed in May 1955 with the T-34B.[2] The US Air Force began to replace the T-34A at the beginning of the 1960s, while the U.S. Navy kept the T-34B operational until the early 1970s. As of 2007, Mentors are still used by several air forces and navies.

From 1978, the T-34C Turbo-Mentor was the Argentine Naval Aviation basic trainer used by the 1st Naval Aviation Force (Training), alongside 15 T-34C-1 light attack aircraft forming the Fourth Naval Air Attack Squadron.[5] During the 1982 Falklands War, four T-34C-1s were deployed to Port Stanley on 25 April 1982, primarily to be employed in a reconnaissance role. The main encounter with British forces occurred on 1 May 1982 when three Turbo-Mentors attacked a Royal Navy Westland Sea King helicopter in the area of Berkeley Sound but were intercepted by RN Sea Harriers flown by Lts Watson and Ward,[6][7] with one of the T-34Cs being damaged by cannon fire from Ward's aircraft. The four T-34C-1 Turbo-Mentors continued to operate, flying a few reconnaissance missions, but were redeployed to Borbon Station where they were ultimately destroyed by the SAS Raid on Pebble Island on 15 May 1982.[8] Although all four hulks remained on the island for a considerable length of time, eventually, 0729/(1-A)411 was recovered on 10 June 1983 and stored for future display at the Fleet Air Arm Museum.[9]

Julie Clark in the T-34 "Free Spirit" c. 2006

In 2004, due to a series of crashes involving in-flight structural failure during simulated combat flights, the entire US civilian fleet of T-34s was grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration. The grounding has since been eased to a slate of restrictions on the permitted flight envelope. Via a series of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) established by or Alternate Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) negotiated with the FAA, including installation of certain, approved structural modifications to the wing spar and other repairs, the T-34 fleet in 2011 has been restored to full flight status by FAA at the Mentor's originally designed limitations, provided each individual example is compliant with those ADs and AMOCs.

The T-34C is still used as the primary training aircraft for United States Navy and Marine Corps pilots. The T-34C is currently being replaced by the T-6 Texan II. NAS Pensacola has already completed the transition to the T-6 and one of three training squadrons at Whiting Field has also transitioned. The remaining two squadrons will be transitioned in 2011.

NASA Dryden Flight Research Center has operated two T-34C aircraft. The first was previously flown at the Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, for propulsion experiments involving turboprop engines, and then came to Dryden as a chase aircraft in 1996. That aircraft was returned to the US Navy in 2002. Dryden obtained its second T-34C in early 2005 from the Navy's Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division at NAS Patuxent River, where it was due to be retired. At Dryden, the T-34C is primarily used for chasing remotely piloted unmanned air vehicles which fly slower than NASA's F-18's mission support aircraft can fly. It is also used for required pilot proficiency flying.[10]

The United States Army received six ex-US Navy T-34C, used as test platforms and chase planes at Edwards Air Force Base and at Fort Bragg.[11]

The Mentor is the aircraft used by the Lima Lima Flight Team and Dragon Flight, both civilian demonstration teams. It is also used by aerobatic pilot Julie Clark, who flies her T-34 "Free Spirit" (registration N134JC) at air shows.

[edit] Variants

A U.S. Navy T-34B assigned to Saufley Field.
YT-34
Prototype, three built.
T-34A
US Air Force trainer. Replaced by the Cessna T-37 around 1960 (450 built).
T-34B
US Navy trainer. Used until early 70s when it was replaced by the T-34C (423 built by Beechcraft).
YT-34C
Two T-34Bs were fitted with turboprop engines, and were used as T-34C prototypes.
T-34C Turbo-Mentor
Two-seat primary trainer, fitted with a turboprop engine.
T-34C-1
Equipped with hardpoints for training or light attack, able to carry 1,200 lb (540 kg) of weapons on four underwing pylons. The armament could include flares, incendiary bombs, rocket or gun pods and antitank missiles. Widely exported.
Turbo-Mentor 34C
Civilian version

[edit] Operators

[edit] Military operators

Military T-34 operators
A T-34A Mentor at the National Museum of the USAF
T-34C of the Ecuadorian Air Force
Beech T-34C Turbo Mentor operated by NASA
 Algeria[12]
 Argentina
 Bolivia
 Canada
 Chile
 Colombia
 Dominican Republic
 Ecuador
 El Salvador
 France
 Gabon[12]
 Indonesia
 Japan
 Mexico
 Morocco
 Peru
 Philippines
 Spain
 Taiwan[12]
 Turkey
 United States
 Uruguay
 Venezuela

[edit] Civil operators

 Chile
 Turkey
 United States

[edit] Specifications (T-34C)

3-view

Data from Janes's All The World's Aircraft 1988-89[14]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

  • Hardpoints: 4 with a capacity of 600 lb (272 kg) inner, 300 lb (136 kg) outer, 1,200 lb (544 kg) total

[edit] See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

[edit] References

Notes
  1. ^ a b c d e Morris, Frank. "A Short History of the Beechcraft Mentor." philfarq.com. Retrieved: 13 November 2007.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Phillips, Edward H. Beechcraft - Pursuit of Perfection, A History of Beechcraft Airplanes. Eagan, Minnesota: Flying Books, 1992. ISBN 0-911139-11-7.
  3. ^ "T-6 specifications." militaryfactory.com. Retrieved: 13 November 2007.
  4. ^ a b c Taylor, M. J. H., ed. Jane's American Fighting Aircraft of the 20th Century. Lombard, IL: Mallard Press, 1991. ISBN 0-7924-5627-0.
  5. ^ Villarino, Horacio. Exocet (in Spanish). Buenos Aires: Siete Dias, First edition 1983. ISBN 9-50100-116-4.
  6. ^ "Beechcraft T-34A & C Mentor." britains-smallwars.com. Retrieved: 30 August 2010.
  7. ^ Morgan 2006, p. 78. Quote: "This changed around midday when Lieutenant Soapy Watson and Sharkey Ward were vectored onto three Mentor light attack aircraft about to attack a Sea King in the area of Berkeley Sound."
  8. ^ Freedman, Sir Lawrence. The Official History of the Falklands Campaign. Abingdon, Oxon, UK: Routledge, 2005. ISBN 0-7146-5207-5.
  9. ^ "Beech T-34C." aviationmuseum.eu. Retrieved: 30 August 2010.
  10. ^ "T-34C Fact sheet." NASA. Retrieved: 30 August 2010.
  11. ^ a b Harding 1990, pp. 27–28.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i Taylor 1988, p. 329.
  13. ^ The San Diego Salute
  14. ^ Taylor 1988, pp. 329–330.
Bibliography
  • Drendel Lou. T-34 Mentor in Action. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, 1990. ISBN 0-89747-249-7.
  • Harding, Stephen. U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1990. ISBN 1-85310-102-8.
  • Morgan, David. Hostile Skies: My Falklands Air War. London: Phoenix Publishing, 2006. ISBN 978-0-7538-2199-2.
  • Taylor, John W.R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988-89. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Defence Data, 1988. ISBN 0-7106-0867-5.

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