| TT Pinto | |
|---|---|
| Temco TT-1 in testing | |
| Role | Jet Trainer |
| Manufacturer | Temco Aircraft |
| First flight | 26 March 1956 |
| Introduction | 1959 |
| Retired | 1960 |
| Primary user | United States Navy |
| Number built | 15 |
The Temco TT Pinto was a jet-powered, tandem two-place primary trainer aircraft built for the United States Navy by Temco Aircraft of Dallas, Texas.
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The Temco Model 51 had been initially proposed to the US Air Force in response to an Air Force competition for a jet-powered primary trainer, which was won by the Cessna T-37 Tweet. The concept behind the Model 51 was an attempt to provide primary training in a jet-powered aircraft. The official name for the Model 51 was the Pinto.
The Pinto was a mid-wing, tricycle landing gear trainer with an enclosed cockpit powered by a single Continental Motors J69-T-9 (license-built Turbomeca Marboré) jet engine. The aircraft carried no armament.
The TT-1s were equipped with many of the same features found in operational jets, including ejection seats, liquid oxygen equipment, speed brakes, along with typical flight controls and instrument panels. Although the flight characteristics were considered good, the "wave off" capability was rated marginal due to being slightly underpowered.
After its first flight in 1956, the prototype was sent to the Naval Air Test Center (NATC) Patuxent River to be evaluated alongside the Beech Model 73 Jet Mentor. Fourteen of the aircraft, designated TT-1, were produced between 1955 and 1957.
In 1968, Allen Paulson, president of California Airmotive/American Jet Industries bought a surplus Temco Pinto and reengined it with the CJ-610 producing more than three times the power at a weight penalty of only 20 lb (9.1 kg). Developed for COIN (Counter-Insurgency) use (although it performed well, the lack of manufacturing potential hampered the sales effort), the "Super" Pinto was a one-off but all except one other Pinto were later converted into "super" versions.
Ezell Aviation made several modifications including installing the J-85 engine with 2,850 pounds of thrust and increasing the fuel on board to 320 gallons. Cruise speed was increased to 400 mph (640 km/h), max speed went to 550 mph (890 km/h) and the rate of climb was 10,000 feet (3,000 m) per minute. Takeoff roll was reduced to only a 500 feet (150 m). Manufacture of new wing panels, ailerons, rudder and swept vertical stabilizer along with a revised instrument panel and side consoles as well as all avionics and hydraulic systems being upgraded were standard modifications. New intakes, ducting, and new engine mounts for the upgraded engines completed the typical package.
The manufacturing license of the AJI T-610 Super Pinto was bought by the Philippine government during the 1970s with the view of manufacturing it as a jet trainer called the "Cali" for the Philippine Air Force. It included two examples and corresponding parts and support equipment. A Super Pinto is now displayed at the Philippine Air Force Museum in Villamor Air Base beside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila.
In 1959, these aircraft served in the Air Training Command at Pensacola, Florida and used in a training program demonstration testing the feasibility of using a jet-powered trainer for primary flight training.
In March 1959, Aviation Cadet E. R. Clark soloed in a TT-1, the first student in Naval Aviation history to solo a jet without previous experience in propeller aircraft.By the end of 1960, TT-1s were phased out of operations in the naval training command and sold as surplus.
Seven of the TT Pinto series currently appear on the US civil roster with four being Super Pintos.[1]
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General characteristics
Performance
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