The North American Sabreliner, later sold as the Rockwell Sabreliner, is an American mid-sized business jet.
It was offered to the United States Air Force in response to its Utility Trainer Experimental program.
It was named Sabreliner due to the similarity of the wing and tail to North American’s F-86 Sabre jet fighter.
Military variants, designated T-39 Sabreliner, were used by the USAF, United States Navy, and United States Marine Corps after the USAF placed an initial order in 1959.
Variants
Military Only
T-39A
Pilot proficiency trainer and utility transport for USAF, based on Sabreliner prototype but powered by two 3,000 lbf (13 kN) Pratt & Whitney J60-P3 engines, 143 built.
CT-39A
T-39A modified as a cargo and personnel transport, Pratt & Whitney J60-P3/-3A engines.
NT-39A
One T-39A modified for electronic systems testing.
T-39B
Radar systems trainer for USAF, fitted with avionics of the Republic F-105D Thunderchief fighter bomber (including R-14 NASARR main radar and AN/APN-131 doppler radar) and with stations for three trainees, six built.
T3J-1
Pre-production designation for T-39D.
T-39D
Radar systems trainer for USN, 1962 redesignation of T3J-1, Pratt & Whitney J60-P3 engines, 42 delivered from 1963, equipped with AN/APQ-94 radar for radar intercept officer training and the AN/APQ-126 radar for bombardier/navigator training.
CT-39E
USN cargo/transport version, with JT12A-8 engines, originally designated VT-39E, seven second-hand aircraft.
T-39F
Electronic warfare crew training conversion of the T-39A for USAF training of F-105G “Wild Weasel” crews.
CT-39G
USN cargo/transport version based on the stretched fuselage Sabreliner 60, Pratt & Whitney JT12A engines equipped with thrust reversers, 13 bought.
T-39G
CT-39G modified for the Undergraduate Flight Officer Training program.
T-39N
Navy trainer for the Undergraduate Flight Officer Training program.