China Lake Museum Foundation

Location: China Lake Museum

Our T-39 Served as a test platform and VIP transport plane for the VX-31 Developmental Test Squadron from 1973 to 2018 when parts could no longer be sourced to keep it in working order.

“A twin-jet, multipurpose aircraft, the military version of the North American Aviation Sabreliner was designated the T-39 by the U.S. Air Force and Navy.

It was designed to cruise at speeds of 500 mph (804 kph) at 40,000 feet (12,192 meters), above most weather. Its leading edge slats, swept-back wing and tail gave it a strong resemblance to the F-86 Sabre Jet and the F-100 Super Sabre. It is between the two in size, with a wingspan and length of approximately 44 feet (13 meters).

Basic configuration of the military versions provided for a crew of two and four passengers. The interior could be modified from a radar or navigational trainer configuration to that of a cargo or passenger carrier in a matter of minutes. As a cargo carrier, the aircraft could transport items weighing up to 2,300 pounds (589 kilograms) with a length of 16 feet (5 meters). Seat tie-down fittings were suitable for use as cargo rings in lashing down equipment. (Text Source)”

“The Naval Weapons Test Squadron, China Lake (NWTSCL) operated one T-39 Sabreliner. The T-39 is a quick-maneuvering, versatile aircraft for captive flight testing. It is ideal for evaluating various test articles including seekers, fuzes and radar systems. Four project personnel may be present on board for data gathering and system evaluation.

The T-39 aircraft is configured with a mounting rack in the radome area that will adapt to many types of seeker, fuze or radar systems. The mounting rack is currently cleared to carry a 160-pound test article with a center of gravity 35.8 inches forward of the fuselage station, 50 bulkhead. Three cameras can be mounted to this rack to provide a forward, 45f down and 45f port field of vision. Test articles up to 14 inches in diameter can be accommodated. There is one altered radome readily available, and another radome that can be altered to accommodate another modified configuration.

The aft cabin of the aircraft can be arranged to fit 330 pounds of instrumentation on a rack that covers 2700 cubic inches of space, while carrying four passengers and two pilots. The available power of the test bed includes three phase aircraft power (115 VAC, 10 KVA, 400 Hz), 1 kW inverter (115 VAC, 8.5A, 60 Hz), 3.5 kW converter (120 VAC, 29.16A, 60 Hz) and 28 VDC (50A). Pre-routed wires from the aft cabin area to the radome include: AC/DC Power Cables, Digital Data Cables and Digital/Analog Data lines. Additional pre-routed cables include an Aircraft Audio Cable and AC/DC Power Cable. (Text Source)”