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Beechcraft

T-34
Mentor

U.S. MILITARY

Photo: Robert Deering 6/15/2013
Denton Municipal Airport (DTO)
Denton, Texas

The U.S. Air Force used the T-34A for primary flight training during the 1950s. The original Mentor, a Beechcraft Model 45 derived from the famous Beechcraft Bonanza, was first flown in December 1948. The first military prototype, designated YT-34 by the USAF, made its initial flight in May 1950.

After extensive testing, the USAF ordered the Mentor into production as the T-34A in early 1953. The first production T-34A was delivered to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., in October 1953 for evaluation, and deliveries to the Air Training Command began in 1954. Deliveries the T-34B to the Navy also began in 1954.

The Mentor remained the standard USAF primary trainer until the introduction of the Cessna T-37 jet trainer in the late 1950s. As they were replaced by T-37s, many T-34s were turned over to base aero clubs. In all, the USAF acquired 450 T-34As. Three hundred fifty were built in the United States and 100 more were produced in Canada under license.

In April 1975 the Navy ordered an improved version of the aircraft that featured a 400 horsepower Pratt & Whitney PT6A-25 turboprop, designated as the T-34C. The aircraft were employed in the first stage of flight training for prospective Naval Aviators and also provide aerobatic familiarization for future Naval Flight Officers. In 2002 the Navy began a gradual phasing out of the T-34C, replacing it with the T-6A Texan II, a joint primary trainer for use by both the Navy and Air Force.

Photo: Robert Deering 1981
Valley International Airport (HRL)
Harlingen, Texas

Photo: Robert Deering 10/18/2012
National Museum of the USAF
Dayton, Ohio

Photo: Robert Deering 6/27/2015
USS Lexington Museum (CV-16)
Corpus Christi, Texas

Photo: Robert Deering 10/28/2016
Executive Airport (RBD)
Dallas, Texas

Photo: Robert Deering 6/13/2017
USS Intrepid Museum (CV-11)
New York City, New York

Photo: Robert Deering 6/15/2013
Denton Municipal Airport (DTO)
Denton, Texas

Photo: Robert Deering 7/20/2015
National Museum of Naval Aviation
NAS Pensacola (NPA)
Pensacola, Florida

SPECIFICATIONS: (T-34A):	PERFORMANCE:
Span: 32 ft. 10 in.	Maximum speed: 191 mph
Length: 25 ft. 11 in.	Cruising speed:
Height: 9 ft. 7 in.	Range: 821 miles
Empty Weight:	Service ceiling: 20,000 ft..
Gross Weight: 2,900 lbs. loaded
Crew: Instructor and Student
Engines: Continental O-470-13 of 225 hp
Armament: None

SOURCE: National Museum of the United States Air Force and National Museum of Naval Aviation

T-34C
Turbomentor

T-34C
Photo: Robert Deering 6/27/2015
USS Lexington Museum (CV-16)
Corpus Christi, Texas

Beginning in 1975, the turbine-powered T-34C Turbomentor was introduced as the Navy's new primary flight trainer for Student Naval Aviators, and began replacing the North American T-28 Trojan with training air wings at NAS Whiting Field, Florida and NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. In the mid-1980s, it also commenced service as a basic trainer for Student Naval Flight Officers at NAS Pensacola, Florida.

Starting in 2005 the T-34C was phased out of service over the next few years, and was replaced by the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II.

SPECIFICATIONS: (T-34C):	PERFORMANCE:
Span: 33 ft 3 7/8 in (10.157 m)	Maximum speed: 280 kn (320 mph, 520 km/h)
Length: 28 ft 8.5 in (8.750 m)	Cruising speed: 214 kn (246 mph, 396 km/h)
Height: 9 ft. 7 in. (2.92 m)	Range: 708 nmi (815 mi, 1,311 km) at 180 kn
Empty Weight: 2,960 lb (1,343 kg)	Service ceiling: 30,000 ft (9,100 m)
Gross Weight: 4,300 lb (1,950 kg) (T-34C-1 weapons trainer 5,500 lb (2,500 kg))
Crew: Instructor and Student
Engines: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25 turboprop, 550 shp (410 kW)
Armament: 1,200 lb (544 kg) total,

SOURCE: Wikipedia