Overview
The TEMCO TT-1 Pinto proved itself a short-lived jet-powered trainer experiment for the United States Navy.
The TEMCO TT-1 Pinto proved itself a short-lived jet-powered trainer experiment for the United States Navy.
History
Detailing the development and operational history of the TEMCO TT-1 Pinto Two-Seat Jet-Powered Basic Jet Trainer. Entry last updated on 8/7/2018. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
Detailing the development and operational history of the TEMCO TT-1 Pinto Two-Seat Jet-Powered Basic Jet Trainer. Entry last updated on 8/7/2018. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
When the United States Air Force (USAF) was looking for a new basic trainer, Temco Aircraft returned with their jet-powered Model 51, a straight-winged, single-engined development seating its crew of two in tandem under a large canopy. As the primary trainer stood as the stepping point between classroom instruction and advanced jet trainers for combat aircraft, the Model 51 was deliberately designed with combat fighter-like qualities including a turbojet engine (as opposed to the traditional prop seeing in basic trainer types), retractable tricycle undercarriage and ejection seats. Despite this effort, the service went with the competing Cessna T-37 "Tweet" series and this left just fifteen Model 51 aircraft, known officially as the TT "Pinto", built. After a first-flight on march 26th, 1956 and introduction occurring in 1959, the series was out of service as soon as 1961.
The TT was powered by the Continental Motors (Teledyne) YJ69-T-9 turbojet engine which was buried within the aft fuselage an aspirated by small, half-moon intakes along the sides of the fuselage. This powerplant was a license-built engine of French origin better known globally as the Turbomeca "Marbore" which powered similar aircraft types such as the Fouga Magister and Hispano HA-200. The installation produced 920lb of thrust that allowed the aircraft to reach speeds of 345 miles per hour and cruise at 250 mph. The aircraft's service ceiling reached 30,000 feet (requiring a pressurized cockpit and oxygen for the two crew) and rate-of-climb was 1,900 feet-per-minute.
From 1959 on, the TT was used by the Air Training Command of Pensacola, Florida but did not warrant pursuit as a standardized jet-powered basic trainer. This led to their rather short service lives which ended under the banner of the Naval Air Training Command of the United States Navy (USN). A 1968 initiative by American Jet Industries (AJI) attempted to revive the design with a General Electric CJ610-6 turbojet (2,850lb thrust) as the T-610 "Super Pinto" for service as a light-attack platform. Only the Philippine Air Force showed interest in the reimagined aircraft and planned for its local production. However, only a prototype of this model existed before its official end arrived.
One Pinto example is on display at the excellent National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida.
The TT was powered by the Continental Motors (Teledyne) YJ69-T-9 turbojet engine which was buried within the aft fuselage an aspirated by small, half-moon intakes along the sides of the fuselage. This powerplant was a license-built engine of French origin better known globally as the Turbomeca "Marbore" which powered similar aircraft types such as the Fouga Magister and Hispano HA-200. The installation produced 920lb of thrust that allowed the aircraft to reach speeds of 345 miles per hour and cruise at 250 mph. The aircraft's service ceiling reached 30,000 feet (requiring a pressurized cockpit and oxygen for the two crew) and rate-of-climb was 1,900 feet-per-minute.
From 1959 on, the TT was used by the Air Training Command of Pensacola, Florida but did not warrant pursuit as a standardized jet-powered basic trainer. This led to their rather short service lives which ended under the banner of the Naval Air Training Command of the United States Navy (USN). A 1968 initiative by American Jet Industries (AJI) attempted to revive the design with a General Electric CJ610-6 turbojet (2,850lb thrust) as the T-610 "Super Pinto" for service as a light-attack platform. Only the Philippine Air Force showed interest in the reimagined aircraft and planned for its local production. However, only a prototype of this model existed before its official end arrived.
One Pinto example is on display at the excellent National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida.
Specifications
YEAR: 1959
STATUS: Retired, Out-of-Service
MANUFACTURER(S): Texas Engineering and Manufacturing Company (TEMCO) - USA
PRODUCTION: 15
CREW: 2
LENGTH: 30.61 ft (9.33 m)
WIDTH: 29.86 ft (9.1 m)
HEIGHT: 10.83 ft (3.3 m)
EMPTY WEIGHT: 2,646 lb (1,200 kg)
MTOW: 4,453 lb (2,020 kg)
POWER: 1 x Teledyne CAE YJ69-T-9 turbojet engine developing 920 lb of thrust.
SPEED: 519 mph (835 kph; 451 kts)
CEILING: 30,003 feet (9,145 m; 5.68 miles)
RANGE: 186 miles (300 km; 162 nm)
RATE-OF-CLIMB: 1,900 ft/min (579 m/min)
OPERATORS: Philippines (cancelled); United States (cancelled))
Armament
None.
None.
Variants / Models
• TT "Pinto" - Base Series Name
• Model 51 - TEMCO company model designation; prototype configuration.
• TT-1 - Fourteen production models for USN service.
• T-610 "Super Pinto" - Proposed variant of 1968 with GE CJ610-6 series turbojet engine of 2,850 lb thrust output.
• TT "Pinto" - Base Series Name
• Model 51 - TEMCO company model designation; prototype configuration.
• TT-1 - Fourteen production models for USN service.
• T-610 "Super Pinto" - Proposed variant of 1968 with GE CJ610-6 series turbojet engine of 2,850 lb thrust output.
Our Data Modules allow for quick visual reference when comparing a single entry against contemporary designs. Areas covered include general ratings, speed assessments, and relative ranges based on distances between major cities.
Relative Maximum Speed
Hi: 750mph
Lo: 375mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (519mph).
Graph average of 562.5 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
LDN
LDN
PAR
PAR
BER
BER
MSK
MSK
TKY
TKY
SYD
SYD
LAX
LAX
NYC
Graph showcases the TEMCO TT-1 Pinto's operational range (on internal fuel) when compared to distances between major cities.
Aviation Era
Useful in showcasing the era cross-over of particular aircraft/aerospace designs.
Unit Production (15)
Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units
Military Market HI**: 36,183 units
15
15
Altitude Visualization
