Fairchild Swearingen Merlin
Fairchild · United States · first flew 1965 · transport aircraft
The Swearingen (later Fairchild Swearingen) Merlin is a family of twin-turboprop corporate and commuter transports developed from the late 1960s onwards, offering pressurised comfort in a compact airframe. The Merlin and its stretched Metroliner sibling became important regional and corporate aircraft.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | T-tail with circular fuselage |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-turboprop corporate and commuter transport
- T-tail with circular fuselage
- Shares airframe DNA with the Metroliner
A low-wing twin-turboprop with a circular pressurised fuselage, T-tail, and wing-mounted turboprops; the narrow cabin and pointed nose are characteristic of the Swearingen design language.
Specifications
- The Fairchild Swearingen Merlin has a length of 12.85 m (42 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.1 m (46 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 556 km/h (345 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Ed Swearingen developed the Merlin by combining a pressurised new fuselage with modified Beech Queen Air wings and tail, first flying in 1965. Fairchild acquired Swearingen in 1971 and the line evolved through Merlin II, III, and IV variants. The design formed the basis of the successful Metroliner commuter airliner.
Variants
The Merlin IIA, IIB, III, IIIA, IIIB, and IV represent a sequence of progressively refined and more powerful models; military versions were designated C-26 by the US Air Force.
Where you'll see it
Widely used by corporate operators, commuter airlines, and military users worldwide; the US Air Force operated C-26 Metroliner variants for cargo and special missions.
Related aircraft
- Fairchild FH-227
- Fairchild AU-23A Peacemaker
- Fairchild VZ-5
- Fairchild C-119F Flying Boxcar
- Aero Spacelines Super Guppy
- Antonov An-22 Antei
- Beechcraft King Air 65-90
- Canadair CL-84 Dynavert
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 8,606 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.