https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cessna_AT-17_Bobcat
The Cessna AT-17 Bobcat was a twin-engined advanced trainer aircraft designed
and made in the United States, and used during World War II to bridge the gap
between single-engined trainers and twin-engined combat aircraft. The AT-17 was
powered by two Jacobs R-755-9 radial piston engines. The commercial version was
the Model T-50, from which the AT-17 was developed.
Thirty-three AT-8s were built for the U.S. Army Air Corps, and production
continued under the designation AT-17 reflecting a change in equipment and
engine types. In 1942, the U.S Army Air Force ( the successor to the Air Corps
from June 1941 ) adopted the Bobcat as a light personnel transport and those
delivered after January 1, 1943 were designated UC-78s. By the end of World War
II, Cessna had produced more than 4,600 Bobcats for the U.S. military, 67 of
which were transferred to the United States Navy as JRC-1s.
Dubbed the "Bamboo Bomber" by the pilots who flew them, it was one of the
aircraft featured in the popular television series "Sky King" of the
early-to-mid 1950s. The aircraft was replaced in later episodes by the T-50's
successor, the all-metal Cessna 310.
In August 2009, FAA records show 378 T-50s, 10 AT-17s and 30 UC-78s are listed
on the FAA registration database.
The AT-17 was a military version of the commercial Cessna T-50 light transport.
The Cessna Airplane Company first produced the wood and tubular steel,
fabric-covered T-50 in 1939 for the civilian market, as a lightweight and
low-cost twin for personal use where larger aircraft such as the Beech 18 would
be too expensive. A low-wing cantilever monoplane, it featured retractable main
landing gear and wing trailing edge flaps, both electrically actuated. The wing
structure was built up of laminated spruce spar beams with spruce and plywood
ribs. The fixed tailwheel is non-steerable and full-swivelling. The prototype
T-50 made its maiden flight on 26 March 1939.
Role five-seat light transport
Manufacturer Cessna Aircraft Company
First flight March 26, 1939 (T-50)
Primary users United States Army Air Forces
Royal Canadian Air Force
United States Navy
Produced 1939-1944
Number built 5,422
Specifications (AT-17)
General characteristics
Crew: pilot+four
Length: 32 ft 9 in (9.98 m)
Wingspan: 41 ft 11 in (12.78 m)
Height: 9 ft 11 in (3.02 m)
Wing area: 295 sq ft (27.4 m2)
Empty weight: 3,500 lb (1,588 kg)
Gross weight: 5,700 lb (2,585 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 6,062 lb (2,750 kg)
245 hp (183 kW) each
Performance
Maximum speed: 169 kn; 314 km/h (195 mph)
Cruise speed: 152 kn; 282 km/h (175 mph)
Service ceiling: 22,000 ft (6,700 m)
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