Beechcraft T-42A Cochise

Beechcraft · United States · first flew 1960 · light aircraft

The Beechcraft T-42A Cochise is the US Army designation for the Baron 55 used as a twin-engine instrument-flight trainer. It gave Army aviators multi-engine and instrument currency in a capable, widely available airframe.

Recognition (WEFT)

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Spot it by:

• US Army instrument-training version of the Baron 55
• Twin Continental piston engines on tapered low wing
• Standard Baron 55 airframe with Army avionics

Externally identical to the civil Baron 55 — the twin piston engines on the low tapered wing, pointed nose, and retractable tricycle gear are the recognition features; military serial markings distinguish it from civil examples.

Specifications

• The Beechcraft T-42A Cochise has a length of 8.53 m (28 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 11.53 m (38 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 370 km/h (230 mph).
• Typical crew: 2 (dual controls).

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The US Army ordered the T-42A in the early 1960s to provide instrument and multi-engine training for Army fixed-wing aviators. The aircraft were essentially standard Baron 55s with military avionics and were operated by the Army Aviation Center at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

Variants

The T-42A is a single military variant; it is structurally identical to the civil Baron 55 and shares the same engine and airframe configuration.

Where you'll see it

Operated exclusively by the US Army; the fleet served for several decades before being replaced by more modern training aircraft.

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