Cessna T-41 Mescalero#Aircraft on display

{{short description|US built military training aircraft series developed from Cessna 172}}

{{Infobox aircraft

|name= T-41 Mescalero

|image= File:Cessna T-41 USAFA.jpg

|caption= Cessna T-41D of the 557th Flying Training Squadron

|type= Primary pilot trainer

|national_origin= United States

|manufacturer= Cessna

|designer=

|first_flight= Cessna 172 : June 12, 1955
Cessna 175 : April 23, 1956

|introduction= 1964

|status= In service

|primary_user= United States Air Force

|more_users= United States Army
Indonesian Air Force
Turkish Air Force

|produced= 1964–1996

|number_built=T-41A : 230
T-41B : 255
T-41C : 52
T-41D : 299

|unit cost=

|developed_from= Cessna 172
Cessna 175 Skylark

|variants=

}}

The Cessna T-41 Mescalero is a military version of the popular Cessna 172, operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) and Army, as well as the armed forces of various other countries as a pilot-training aircraft.{{cite web|url = http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/t-41.htm|title = T-41A/C Mescalero|access-date = 2008-05-13|last = Pike|first = John|date = April 2005|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080514113909/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/t-41.htm|archive-date = 2008-05-14|url-status = live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.af.mil/library/posture/t3bar.asp |title=Broad Area Review of the Enhanced Flight Screening Program |access-date=2008-05-13 |author=United States Air Force |author-link=United States Air Force |date=March 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411071652/http://www.af.mil/library/posture/t3bar.asp |archive-date=2008-04-11 |url-status=dead }}{{Better source needed|reason=Globalsecurity.org is "generally unreliable" per WP:GLOBALSECURITY; USAF link is mostly about the T-3A Firefly and says very little about how the T-41 was used.|date=December 2024}} The T-41A, used by the USAF for introductory training of pilot candidates with little or no flying experience, was a commercial off-the-shelf 172 with few modifications. Upgraded versions of the T-41 with more powerful engines and more specialized equipment were based on the Cessna 175 derivative of the 172, including the T-41B for the Army, T-41C for the USAF Academy, and the T-41D for the U.S. Military Aid Program. The single-engine piston T-41 entered service in the 1960s and was mostly withdrawn by the USAF by 1995, but some remain in limited military service today, and some military surplus examples are flown by civil owners.

Design and development

File:Cessna T-41B Mescalero U.S. Army serial 67-15000.jpg operating as a T-41B Mescalero with the US Army]]

In 1964, the US Air Force (USAF) decided to use the commercial off-the-shelf Cessna 172F as a lead-in aircraft for student pilots rather than starting them out in the T-37 jet aircraft. The USAF ordered 237 T-41As from Cessna.{{efn|name=T-41A|text=The T-41A designation was originally assigned in 1962 to a proposed United States Navy navigation trainer variant of the Grumman Gulfstream I, but the purchase was deferred and the designation was reassigned; the Grumman was subsequently ordered in 1966 and entered service as the TC-4C Acedeme.{{cite book |last1=Swanborough |first1=Gordon |last2=Bowers |first2=Peter M. |date=1976 |title=United States Navy Aircraft since 1911 |edition=2nd |location=Annapolis, Maryland |publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=0-87021-968-5 |page=439}}}} The first USAF class (67-A) of students began training on the T-41 from the civilian airport in Big Spring, Texas, in August 1965.{{Better source needed|reason=Globalsecurity.org is "generally unreliable" per WP:GLOBALSECURITY; USAF link is mostly about the T-3A Firefly and says very little about how the T-41 was used.|date=December 2024}}

The T-41B was the US Army version, with a {{convert|210|hp|abbr=on}} Continental IO-360 engine and constant-speed propeller in place of the {{convert|145|hp|abbr=on}} Continental O-300 and 7654 fixed-pitch propeller used in the 172 and the T-41A.Taylor, John: Jane's Pocket Book of Military Transport and Training Aircraft, page 67. Macmillan Publishing Inc., 1974. Library of Congress 73-15288Krivinyi, Nikolaus: World Military Aviation, page 148. Arco Publishing Co, 1977. {{ISBN|0-668-04348-2}}{{cite web|url = http://warbirdflight.net/The%20T-41B.html|title = T-41B|access-date = 2008-05-13|last = WarbirdFlight.Net|year = 2007|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090821062509/http://warbirdflight.net/The%20T-41B.html|archive-date = 2009-08-21}}

In 1968, the USAF acquired 52 of the more powerful T-41Cs, which used {{convert|210|hp|abbr=on}} Continental IO-360 and a fixed-pitch climb propeller, for use at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA).{{Better source needed|reason=Globalsecurity.org is "generally unreliable" per WP:GLOBALSECURITY; USAF link is mostly about the T-3A Firefly and says very little about how the T-41 was used.|date=December 2024}}

In 1996, the aircraft were further upgraded to the T-41D, which included an upgrade in avionics{{Better source needed|reason=Globalsecurity.org is "generally unreliable" per WP:GLOBALSECURITY.|date=December 2024}} and to a constant-speed propeller.

Beginning in 1993, the USAF replaced many of the T-41 fleet with the Slingsby T-3A Firefly for the flight-screening role, and for aerobatic training, which was outside the design capabilities of the T-41.{{cite web|url = http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/t-3.htm|title = T-3A Firefly|access-date = 2008-05-13|last = Pike|first = John|date = September 2006|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080514114219/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/t-3.htm|archive-date = 2008-05-14|url-status = live}}{{Better source needed|reason=Globalsecurity.org is "generally unreliable" per WP:GLOBALSECURITY; USAF link is mostly about the T-3A Firefly and says very little about how the T-41 was used.|date=December 2024}}

Four T-41s remained at the Air Force Academy for the USAFA Flying Team, as well as to support certain academic classes.{{cite web|url = http://www.usafa.edu/flash/aircraftViewer/index.htm|title = United States Air Force Academy Aircraft|access-date = 2008-05-13|last = USAFA|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080405195441/http://www.usafa.edu/flash/aircraftViewer/index.htm|archive-date = 2008-04-05|url-status = live}}

A number of air forces, including Saudi Arabia and Singapore, purchased various civilian models of the Cessna 172 for use in military training, transport, and liaison roles. While similar to the T-41 and named as such, these aircraft were not actually T-41s from a technical standpoint and were powered by the standard 172 powerplants available in the model year purchased, including the Continental O-300 in pre-1968 aircraft and the Lycoming O-320 in later 172s.

Variants

File:Cessna T-41A Mescalero USAF.jpg

File:Seongmu AF Academy15031 T-031 T-41B 212 FTS AFA RoK (3097694947).jpg]]

Variants of the T-41 other than the T-41A were built under the type certificate of the Cessna 175 Skylark.{{cite web |last=Federal Aviation Administration |date=March 2003 |title=Type certificate data sheet no. 3A17 |url=http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/eb424056528d21d8862572de0072869f/$FILE/3A17.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608055447/http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/eb424056528d21d8862572de0072869f/$FILE/3A17.pdf |archive-date=2011-06-08 |access-date=2024-06-06}} The 175 was a close derivative of the 172 and most parts aft of the firewall are interchangeable. The controversial Continental GO-300 engine from the civil 175 was never used in the T-41; the T-41B through D instead used the Continental IO-360. Cessna never offered a civil model directly analogous to these aircraft, but Cessna licensee Reims Aviation in France sold similar IO-360-powered models as the R172 Rocket and Hawk XP.{{cite web |last=Kinney |first=Scott |title=Cessna Flyer Association - Big-airplane Features for a Small-airplane Price: The Cessna 175 |url=https://www.cessnaflyer.org/cessna-models/cessna-singles/cessna-175/big-airplane-feature-for-a-small-airplane-price-the-cessna-175.html |publisher=Cessna Flyer Association |website=cessnaflyer.org |access-date=December 2, 2024}}

;T-41A

:United States Air Force version of the Cessna 172F, 172G, and 172H for undergraduate pilot training, powered by 145 hp Continental O-300. 230 built; 170 (172F), 26 (172G), and 34 (172H).{{efn|name=T-41A}}

;T-41B

:United States Army version powered by a fuel-injected {{convert|210|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Continental IO-360-D or -DE driving a constant-speed propeller and featuring a 28V electrical system, jettisonable doors, an openable right front window, a 6.00x6 nose wheel tire, and military avionics. The baggage door was removed. 255 built (all Model R172E).Phillips, Edward H: Wings of Cessna, Model 120 to the Citation III, Flying Books, 1986. {{ISBN|0911139052}}

;T-41C

:USAF Academy version with a 14V electrical system, fixed-pitch propeller, civilian avionics, and only the two front seats. 52 total built; 45 as the R172E and 7 as the R172F.

;T-41D

:Military Aid Program version with 28V electrical system, four seats, corrosion-proofing, reinforced flaps and ailerons, a baggage door, and provisions for wing-mounted pylons. 299 total built; 34 as the R172E, 74 as the R172F, 28 as the R172G, and 163 as the R172H (with extended tail fillet). First T-41D delivered to the Philippine Air Force in 1968Sheil/Forsgren/Little 1976, p. 76

;B.F.14

:({{langx|th|บ.ฝ.๑๔}}) Royal Thai Armed Forces designation for the T-41D.{{Cite web |title=Thai Military Aircraft Designations |url=https://designation-systems.net/non-us/thailand.html |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=designation-systems.net}}

Operators

File:AE-054@FDO 05NOV09 (6950716252).jpg Cessna T-41D Mescalero]]

;{{ARG}}

Argentine Army Aviation (10× T-41D in service)

;{{BOL}}

Bolivian Air Force

;{{CHI}}

Chilean Air Force (10× T-41D, already retired)

;{{COL}}

Colombian Air Force (30× T-41D) - retired{{citation needed|reason=needs a source - as the October 2020 edition of Air International has an item stating that the Colombian airforce has announced an order for Cessna 172s to replace the T-41s currently in use|date=September 2020}}

;{{DOM}}

Dominican Air Force (10× T-41D / R172),

;{{ECU}}

Ecuadorian Air Force (8× T-41A, 12× T-41D)

;{{ESA}}

Salvadoran Air ForceHagedorn 1993, pp. 87, 92–93.

;{{GRE}}

Hellenic Air Force (T-41A, 21× T-41D, retired{{cite web |title=Tecnam Completes Delivery Of 12 Trainer Aircraft To The Hellenic Air Force {{!}} Tecnam |url=https://www.tecnam.com/gb/news-gb/tecnam-completes-delivery-of-12-trainer-aircraft-to-the-hellenic-air-force/ |access-date=28 October 2019 |date=18 June 2019 |archive-date=28 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028235718/https://www.tecnam.com/gb/news-gb/tecnam-completes-delivery-of-12-trainer-aircraft-to-the-hellenic-air-force/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite magazine |last=Schymura |first=Jens |title=New Greek trainers |magazine=Air International |date=June 2019 |volume=96 |issue=6 |page=9 |issn=0306-5634}} )

;{{HON}}

Honduran Air Force (3× T-41B and 6× T-41D, retired)

;{{IDN}}

Indonesian Air Force (55× T-41D)

;{{IRN}}

Imperial Iranian Air Force (T-41D)

;{{flag|Khmer Republic}}

Khmer Air Force (22× T-41D).{{cite web|url=http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/aa-eastasia/cambodia/cam-af-history2.htm|title=Khmer Air Force History|work=aeroflight.co.uk|access-date=6 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113948/http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/aa-eastasia/cambodia/cam-af-history2.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}

;{{flagicon|Laos|1952}} Kingdom of Laos

Royal Lao Air Force (T-41B, T-41D)

;{{LBR}}

Armed Forces of Liberia (T-41D)

;{{PAK}}

Pakistani Air Force (T-41D)

;{{PAR}}

Paraguayan Air Force (5× T-41B, retired){{cite web|url= http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/user/every/paraguay-af-all-time-aircraft-used-listing.htm |title= Paraguayan Air Force|publisher= aeroflight.co.uk |access-date=18 January 2021}}

File:T-41DM FAP.jpg

;{{PER}}

Peruvian Air Force (25× T-41A)

;{{PHI}}

Philippine Air Force (20× T-41D, acquired from South Korea in 2008){{cite web|url = http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=politics1_aug15_2008|title = Air Force acquires 15 planes|access-date = 2008-09-15|last = Araneta|first = Macon Ramos|date = August 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090415193017/http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=politics1_aug15_2008|archive-date = 2009-04-15|url-status = live}}

;{{ROK}}

Republic of Korea Air Force (15× T-41D)

;{{flag|South Vietnam}}

Republic of Vietnam Air Force (22× T-41D, no longer in service){{Citation needed|date=September 2019}}

;{{THA}}

Royal Thai Air Force (6× T-41D){{Citation needed|date=September 2019}}
Royal Thai Army (6× T-41B){{Citation needed|date=September 2019}}

;{{TUR}}

Turkish Air Force (30× T-41D)Sheil/Forsgren/Little 1976, pp. 91-92
Turkish Land Forces (25× T-41D){{Cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/media/reports_pdf/world-air-forces-2013-101015.aspx |title=World Air Forces 2013 |access-date=2014-04-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102174152/http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/media/reports_pdf/world-air-forces-2013-101015.aspx |archive-date=2013-11-02 |url-status=live }}

File:USAFA Flying Team T-41D.jpg

;{{USA}}

United States Army (255× T-41B)
United States Air Force (211× T-41A and 52× T-41C)
Jacksonville Navy Flying Club/NAS Jacksonville, Florida - 2 x T-41A, 1 x T-41B (two currently airworthy){{cite web |url=http://www.jaxnfc.net/index_Page374.htm |title=Aircraft |publisher=Jax Navy Flying Club |access-date=2012-11-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007010442/http://www.jaxnfc.net/index_Page374.htm |archive-date=2012-10-07 }}
Kirtland AFB Aeroclub/Kirtland AFB, New Mexico - 5 x T-41C (all 5 currently airworthy){{cite web|url = http://kirtlandflightcenter.org/?page_id=151|title = Cessna T-41C | Kirtland Flight Center|access-date = 2017-12-27|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171228112307/http://kirtlandflightcenter.org/?page_id=151|archive-date = 2017-12-28|url-status = live}}
Patuxent River Navy Flying Club/NAS Patuxent River, Maryland - 3 x T-41C (1 currently airworthy){{cite web|url=http://www.navair.navy.mil/nawcad/flyingclub/Aircraft2.htm |title=Aircraft |access-date=2009-08-05 |author=Patuxent River Navy Flying Club |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404054915/http://www.navair.navy.mil/nawcad/flyingclub/aircraft2.htm |archive-date=April 4, 2009 }}
Eglin AFB Aeroclub/Eglin AFB, FL - 2 x T-41A, 1 x T-41B (1 T-41A and 1 T-41B currently airworthy)( {{cite web|url = http://www.eglinaeroclub.com/Aircraft.aspx|title = Aircraft|author = Eglin Aero Club|access-date = 2011-02-13|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100925045615/http://www.eglinaeroclub.com/aircraft.aspx|archive-date = 2010-09-25|url-status = live}}
Travis AFB Aero Club/Travis AFB, CA - 1 x T-41C (currently airworthy)( {{cite web|url = http://www.travisaeroclub.com/index_files/aircraft.htm|title = Aircraft/Rates|author = Travis Aero Club|access-date = 2011-04-30|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110425161702/http://www.travisaeroclub.com/index_files/aircraft.htm|archive-date = 2011-04-25}}
Dover AFB Aero Club/Dover AFB, DE - 2 x T-41A, 1x T-41C (currently airworthy)( {{cite web|url = https://b31c00a1-6a34-454d-9e9c-977c769ea901.filesusr.com/ugd/70db0d_998c157c5c744caaa88503d7b65363e0.pdf|title=Aero Club Brochure}}

;{{URY}}

Uruguayan Air Force (7× T-41D){{Citation needed|date=September 2019}}

Aircraft on display

File:110-9V-BEU (15355089308).jpg

;Philippines

67-8958 - T-41A on static display at the Philippine Air Force Aerospace Museum in Pasay Cityhttps://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10688638

;Singapore

110 - T-41A on static display at the Singapore Air Force Museum in Paya Lebar Air Basehttps://www.grubby-fingers-aircraft-illustration.com/The_Grubby_Truth-The_Grubby_Truth_23_March_2012.html

;United States

65-5168 – T-41A on static display in the airpark at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma.{{cite web|last1=Gross|first1=Tyler|title=Construction of Vance's air park nears completion|url=https://www.vance.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/370827/construction-of-vances-air-park-nears-completion/|website=Vance Air Force Base|access-date=30 August 2016|location=Oklahoma|date=August 25, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914162555/http://www.vance.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/3156/Article/370827/construction-of-vances-air-park-nears-completion.aspx|archive-date=14 September 2016|url-status=live}}
65-5226 – T-41 on static display at Randolph Air Force Base, Universal City, Texas. It is on display in park area adjacent to Randolph Inn Visiting Officers Quarters (VOQ) / Distinguished Visiting Officers Quarters (DVOQ) along with other historical ATC and AETC aircraft.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}
65-5251 – T-41A on static display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.{{cite web|title=Cessna T-41A Mescalero|url=https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/198032/cessna-t-41a-mescalero/|website=National Museum of the US Air Force|access-date=30 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122185939/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/MuseumExhibits/FactSheets/Display/tabid/509/Article/198032/cessna-t-41a-mescalero.aspx|archive-date=22 November 2016|url-status=live}} This aircraft was previously assigned to the United States Air Force Academy inventory.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}
67-14977 – T-41A on static display as part of the Officer Training School complex at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.{{cite web|last1=Kimberly|first1=Wright|title=OTS salutes heritage with T-41 display|url=https://www.maxwell.af.mil/News/Display/Article/420761/ots-salutes-heritage-with-t-41-display/|website=Maxwell Air Force Base|access-date=30 August 2016|location=Alabama|date=October 29, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914212803/http://www.maxwell.af.mil/News/Display/tabid/10067/Article/420761/ots-salutes-heritage-with-t-41-display.aspx|archive-date=14 September 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Maxwell AFB, AL T-41 OTS Display|url=http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=449765|website=Warbird Information Exchange|publisher=phpBB Group|access-date=30 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160922190618/http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=449765|archive-date=22 September 2016|url-status=live}}

Specifications (T-41C)

File:Continental IO360D.JPG

{{Aircraft specs

|ref=Global Security{{Better source needed|reason=Globalsecurity.org is "generally unreliable" per WP:GLOBALSECURITY.|date=December 2024}}

|prime units?=kts

|crew=one

|capacity=three passengers

|length ft=26

|length in=11

|length note=

|span ft=35

|span in=10

|span note=

|height ft=8

|height in=10

|height note=

|wing area sqft=159

|wing area note=

|aspect ratio=

|airfoil=

|empty weight lb=1363

|empty weight note=

|gross weight lb=2500

|gross weight note=

|max takeoff weight lb=

|max takeoff weight note=

|fuel capacity=

|more general=

|eng1 number=1

|eng1 name=Continental IO-360-D

|eng1 type=6-cylinder air-cooled horizontally-opposed piston engine

|eng1 hp=210

|eng1 note=

|prop blade number=2

|prop name=variable-pitch propeller

|prop dia m=

|prop dia ft=

|prop dia in=

|prop dia note=

|max speed kts=125

|max speed note=

|cruise speed kts=

|cruise speed note=

|stall speed kts=

|stall speed note=

|never exceed speed kts=

|never exceed speed note=

|range nmi=626

|range note=

|ferry range nmi=

|ferry range note=

|endurance=

|ceiling ft=17000

|ceiling note=

|g limits=

|roll rate=

|glide ratio=

|climb rate ftmin=880

|climb rate note=

|time to altitude=

|lift to drag=

|wing loading lb/sqft=

|wing loading note=

|fuel consumption lb/mi=

|power/mass=

|thrust/weight=

|more performance=

|avionics=

}}

References

=Notes=

=Citations=

=Bibliography=

{{cite book |last=Hagedorn |first=Daniel P. |title=Central American and Caribbean Air Forces |year=1993 |location=Tonbridge, Kent, UK |publisher=Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd |isbn=0-85130-210-6}}
{{cite book |last1=Shiel |first1=Walt |last2=Forsgren |first2=Jan |last3=Little |first3=Michael |title=T-41 Mescalero: The Military Cessna 172 |year=2006 |publisher=Slipdown Mountain Publications |location=Lake Linden, Michigan, USA |isbn=978-0-9746553-3-8 }}