NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
The Beechcraft T-34 Mentor has been the primary trainer for the USAF, USMC, USCG, and USN since 1953. The aircraft is still in use by the United States Navy and Marine Corps, plus a number of countries around the world.
The first T-34 Mentors were equipped with a Continental piston engine. With only 225 h.p. pulling the aircraft through the air, it was generally underpowered. In 1973 the Mentor's engine was replaced with a P&W PT-6 550 s.h.p. turboprop. The result was an aircraft that was vastly improved.
Pilots of the aircraft are impressed with its all-around visibility. Stalls, both power on and power off, are easily controlled. Controls are light and the aircraft is extremely aerobatic. It seemingly can performs loops, rolls and stall turns at just the thought of a pilot. However, changes in power settings require corresponding changes in aircraft trim for straight and level flight.
We have read pilot reports saying that the non-turboprop Beechcraft T-34 Mentor exhibits very little warning through the control stick indicating that a stall is imminent. However the turboprop model is said to gives a multitude of warnings. Perhaps that is a function of the longer nose moment of the turboprop powered aircraft. We would appreciate hearing from pilots about their experiences with both aircraft.
Perhaps the most famous Beechcraft T-34 Mentor is the one flown by Julie Clark at air shows around the country.
Before production ended in 1990, over 2,300 of the aircraft had been manufactured.
trainer
pilot and student
P&W PT-6 turboprop 550 s.h.p.
2,960 lbs.
4,400 lbs.
none
none
28' 6"
33' 5"
276 mph
2,200 fpm
25,000 feet
700 miles
12/2/48
1953
Radio Control Airplane
Nitro Planes rc T-34 Mentor
Radio Control Airplanes:
The picture above is for the rc T-34 Mentor sold by Nitro Planes. It is a ARF with a 65" wingspan, and 54" length. It needs a .60 two cycle or .91 four cycle engine. Weight is about 8 lbs.
The first picture below is of the rc T-34 Mentor for sale by Hangar 9. The ARF has a wing
span of 57" with a fuselage that is 45" long. You can use two cycle
engines from .40 to .46 in size. When complete it should weigh around 6 1/2 lbs.
The next picture below is of another rc T-34 Mentor from Nitro Planes.
The all foam ARF has wings that are 34 1/2" in span and a fuselage that
is 30" in length. A 2830 brushless motor powers it. Also included are the motor battery and charger.
E-Flite has a rc T-34 Mentor. Wing span is 55" and length is 44". It comes ready to fly including a Power 25 brushless motor, 12 x 8 propeller, 40 A ESC, 2.4 GHz radio and receiver, all servos, all batteries and chargers. Ready to fly weight is 5 lbs.
The third photo below is of the Kit Cutters giant scale rc T-34 Mentor built from their kit. It was designed by Mark Frankel and originally published in RCM plans. Wingspan is 98". Power can come from 1.8 to 3.6 c.i.d. four cycle engines.
It is built from fiberglass, balsa, ply, and has foam core wings. You will need from 6 to 10 channels.
Hobby Zone has a T-34 Mentor RTF, PTS for sale for beginning pilots. It allows beginners to start out with wing droops on the rc scale model airplane. The provide extra lift for slower, gentler flying.
As flying experience increases, these can be removed for more aggressive flying. It has an electric motor and everything that you will need to get into the air in a few hours.
Sapac has a rc T-34 Mentor ARF foamy with a 34.6" wingspan that weighs almost exactly 1 lb. It comes with a Speed 400 type brushless motor.
The AMA Plans Service has plans for sale of a rc T-34 Mentor from Aviation Modeller. It has a 64" wingspan and is design for engine power. Plan no. is 16493.
Pictured last is the T-34 Mentor scale model airplane for sale from Nitro Plans. Its wingspan is 57" and length is 45". The fuselage is made from fiberglass and the wings from built up balsa.
It will take from .40 to .52 two stroke or from .52 to .70 four stroke engines. Weight is around 6 lbs.
Please email us about your favorite rc T-34 Mentor.
Beechcraft T-34 Mentor
