Cessna AT-17

The Cessna AT-17 Bobcat was a twin-engined advanced trainer aircraft designed and made in the United States , and used during World War II to bridge the gap between single-engine trainers and twin-engine combat aircraft. The AT-17 was powered by two Jacobs R-755 -9 radial piston engine s. The commercial version was the Model T-50, from which the AT-17 was developed.

Design and development

The AT-17 was a military version of the commercial Cessna T-50 light transport. The Cessna Airplane Company first produced the wood and tubular steel, fabric-covered T-50 in 1939 for the civilian market, as a lightweight and low cost twin for personal use where larger aircraft such as the Beech 18 would be too expensive. A low-wing cantilever monoplane , it featured retractable main landing gear and wing trailing-edge flaps , both electrically actuated. The wing structure was built up of laminated spruce spar beams with spruce and plywood ribs. The fixed tailwheel is non-steerable and full-swivelling . The prototype T-50 made its maiden flight on 26 March 1939.

In 1940, the US Army Air Corps ordered them under the designation AT-8 as multi-engine advanced trainers.

Operational history

Thirty-three AT-8s were built for the U.S. Army Air Corps, and production continued under the designation AT-17 reflecting a change in equipment and engine types. In 1942, the U.S Army Air Force ( the successor to the Air Corps from June 1941 ) adopted the Bobcat as a light personnel transport and those delivered after January 1, 1943 were designated UC-78s. By the end of World War II, Cessna had produced more than 4,600 Bobcats for the U.S. military, 67 of which were transferred to the United States Navy as JRC-1s. In addition, 822 Bobcats had been produced for the Royal Canadian Air Force as Crane 1s, many of which were used in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan .

The aircraft did not last long in North American post-war military service. Few (if any) Bobcats were in service with the United States Air Force when it was formed in September, 1947. Surviving military aircraft were declared obsolete in 1949.

Dubbed the "Bamboo Bomber" by the pilots who flew them, it was one of the aircraft featured in the popular television series "Sky King " of early to mid-50s. The aircraft was replaced in later episodes by the T-50s successor, the all-metal Cessna 310 .

Post war, surplus AT-17s and UC-78s could be converted by CAA-approved kits to civilian standard aircraft allowing their certification under the T-50s original Type Certificate (ATC- 722, issued 3-24-1940).

They were used by small airlines, charter and "bush" operators and private pilots. Some were operated on floats.By the 1970s, the number of airworthy aircraft had dwindled as they were made obsolete by more modern types and by the maintenance required by their aging wood wing structures and fabric covering.Since then, several have been restored by antique airplane enthusiasts. In August 2009, FAA records show 378 T-50s, 10 AT-17s and 30 UC-78s are listed on the FAA registration database.

However, just because aircraft are registered with the FAA does not mean they are airworthy or even existent.

In the post-war years, Bobcats continued in military service with Brazil and the Nationalist Chinese .

Variants

T-50

Company design number. Five-seat twin-engined commercial transport aircraft, fitted with Jacobs L-4 MB radial piston engines.

AT-8

Military trainer version of the T-50 with two 295 hp (220-kW) Lycoming R-680-9 radial piston engines, 33 built.

AT-17

As the AT-8 but powered by Jacobs R-775-9 engines, 450 built some later converted to AT-17E.

AT-17A

As the AT-17 but with metal propeller s and reduced weight, 223 built. 182 to Canada as Crane IAs and later conversion to AT-17Fs.

AT-17B

As the AT-17A but with equipment changes, 466 built. Subsequent aircraft were built as UC-78Bs.

AT-17C

As the AT-17A but different radio equipment , 60 built.

AT-17D

As the AT-C with equipment changes, 131 built.

AT-17E

AT-17 with gross weight limited to .

AT-17F

AT-17A with gross weight limited to .

AT-17G

AT-17B with gross weight limited to .

C-78

Military transport version for the United States Army Air Forces , redesignated UC-78 in 1943, 1354 built.

UC-78

C-78 redesignated in 1943; variable-pitch propellers..

UC-78A

17 impressed civilian T-50s

UC-78B

Originally the AT-17B, wooden propellers and reduced weight, 1806 built.

UC-78C

Originally the AT-17D, same as UC-78B with equipment changes, 196 built and 131 AT-17Ds redesignated.

JRC-1

Navy light transport version of the UC-78 with two Jacobs R-775-9 engines, 67 delivered.

Crane I

Royal Canadian Air Force designation for T-50s with minor equipment changes, 640 delivered as light transports.

Crane 1A

182 AT-17As delivered to Canada under lend-lease.

Operators

BRA

CAN

* Royal Canadian Air Force

* Queen Charlotte Airlines

China as ROC

ROC

POL

* LOT Polish Airlines operated 14 UC-78 in 1946-1950

USA

* United States Army Air Corps /United States Army Air Forces

* United States Navy

* Northern Consolidated Airlines