Rockwell (North American) T-39A Sabreliner

            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.  These were used in the Vietnam War in particular for high-speed courier missions, where they transported both personnel and strike camera film; these were codenamed "Scatback" aircraft.  

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.  

T-39A 60-3481 was delivered to the USAF in 1961, and spent most of its career with the 89th Airlift Wing at Andrews AFB, Maryland--though it lacked the Loewy scheme of other Presidential aircraft, 60-3481 would have been available for the President's use, as well as members of the Cabinet.  In 1984, 60-3481 was transferred to the 63rd Military Airlift Wing at Norton AFB, California, where it served as a "hack" liasion aircraft, and it was retired in 1985.  It would languish at AMARC for 25 years until the Classic Aircraft Aviation Museum saved the aircraft from the scrapper's torch in 2010.  It was shipped to the museum in Hillsboro, Oregon, where it remained until 2021, when it was moved to the Tillamook Air Museum.  

60-3481 wears the overall gloss white scheme that most T-39s wore in USAF service.  In the background is the wood latticework interior of the Tillamook blimp hangar, which has to be seen to be believed!

Taken on: May 16, 2024

Tags:

Rockwell

NorthAmerican

T-39A

Sabreliner

89thAW

AndrewsAFB

USAF

ColdWar

executiveaircraft

transport

aircraft

TillamookAirMuseum « less

Sets appears in: • USAF Aircraft • Aviation Photography

Camera: samsung SM-A136U, 27mm, ISO 1250 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	samsung SM-A136U
Focal Length:	27mm
ISO:	1250
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Metering Mode:	Center-weighted average
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
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