Rockwell (North American) Sabreliner 50
As its entry into the burgeoning business jet market, North American designed the Sabreliner as a private venture, though with an eye towards the military market as well. It was named the Sabreliner because of the similarity of its wing design with the F-86 Sabre fighter, one of North American's iconic aircraft. The prototype NA-265 flew in 1958, and was marketed as the Series 40 for civilian operators, while the USAF bought it as an executive transport and trainer, the T-39A, in 1961.
Sales were decent if not spectacular, though most Sabreliner production went to military customers, specifically the USAF and US Navy. Over 800 were built, and many remain in service; most of those still around are turbofan-powered Model 75s.
This is the only Sabreliner 50 produced: though it was essentially a Sabreliner 60, it was designed from the start as an electronics testbed with a radar nose. The nose was interchangeable with other noses as needed. N50CR would go on to test several radar systems, mainly for commercial aircraft, including electronics to detect wind shear and bad weather, as well as the TCAS II system, designed to prevent midair collisions. By 2013, N50CR had hit the end of its service life, and this unique aircraft was donated to the Evergreen Aviation Museum.
Rockwell (North American) Sabreliner 50
As its entry into the burgeoning business jet market, North American designed the Sabreliner as a private venture, though with an eye towards the military market as well. It was named the Sabreliner because of the similarity of its wing design with the F-86 Sabre fighter, one of North American's iconic aircraft. The prototype NA-265 flew in 1958, and was marketed as the Series 40 for civilian operators, while the USAF bought it as an executive transport and trainer, the T-39A, in 1961.
Sales were decent if not spectacular, though most Sabreliner production went to military customers, specifically the USAF and US Navy. Over 800 were built, and many remain in service; most of those still around are turbofan-powered Model 75s.
This is the only Sabreliner 50 produced: though it was essentially a Sabreliner 60, it was designed from the start as an electronics testbed with a radar nose. The nose was interchangeable with other noses as needed. N50CR would go on to test several radar systems, mainly for commercial aircraft, including electronics to detect wind shear and bad weather, as well as the TCAS II system, designed to prevent midair collisions. By 2013, N50CR had hit the end of its service life, and this unique aircraft was donated to the Evergreen Aviation Museum.