North American Sabreliner 40
North American Aviation · United States · first flew 1963 · transport aircraft
The North American Sabreliner 40 is a development of the military T-39 Sabreliner trainer/utility jet, offered as a business aircraft variant with improved passenger accommodation and updated engines. It bridges the gap between the original military Sabreliner and the later turbofan-powered Sabreliner 60 and 75 series.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbojet, tail-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Rear-mounted turbojet engines on the fuselage sides |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Compact twin-jet business aircraft with swept low wing
- Rear-mounted turbojet engines on the fuselage sides
- T-shaped tail with ventral strake common to Sabreliner series
The small, compact swept-wing jet with rear fuselage-mounted engines and a conventional tail is similar to competing types; the Sabreliner's distinctive ventral strake and slightly rounded fuselage cross-section help differentiate it.
Specifications
- The North American Sabreliner 40 has a length of 13.33 m (44 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.54 m (44 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 925 km/h (575 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 + 6-8 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Sabreliner originated as the T-39 in response to a 1956 USAF requirement for a utility trainer/transport jet. The civil Sabreliner 40 was introduced in the mid-1960s as a business aviation derivative, featuring a lengthened cabin. It competed directly against the early Learjet and North American's own executive offerings.
Variants
The Sabreliner family spans from the T-39 military original through the Series 40, 60, 65, 75, and 80, with progressive improvements in range, cabin size, and engine technology.
Where you'll see it
The Sabreliner 40 found customers in corporate and charter aviation; military examples of related variants served the USAF, US Navy, and several allied air forces as transport and crew trainer jets.
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- North American RA-5C Vigilante
- North American XB-70 Valkyrie
- North American X-15
- North American A-5 Vigilante
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- Beechcraft U-21 Ute
- C-141 Starlifter
- Dassault Falcon 20
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