TheCessna T-41 Mescalero is a military version of the popularCessna 172, operated by theUnited States Air Force (USAF) andArmy, as well as the armed forces of various other countries as apilot-training aircraft.[1][2][better source needed] The T-41A, used by the USAF for introductory training of pilot candidates with little or no flying experience, was acommercial off-the-shelf 172 with few modifications. Upgraded versions of the T-41 with more powerful engines and more specialized equipment were based on theCessna 175 derivative of the 172, including the T-41B for the Army, T-41C for theUSAF Academy, and the T-41D for the U.S.Military Aid Program. The single-enginepiston T-41 entered service in the 1960s and was mostly withdrawn by the USAF by 1995, but some remain in limited military service today, and somemilitary surplus examples are flown by civil owners.
The first productionCessna R172E operating as a T-41B Mescalero with the US Army
In 1964, the US Air Force (USAF) decided to use thecommercial off-the-shelf Cessna 172F as a lead-in aircraft for student pilots rather than starting them out in theT-37 jet aircraft. The USAF ordered 237 T-41As fromCessna.[a] The first USAF class (67-A) of students began training on the T-41 from the civilian airport inBig Spring, Texas, in August 1965.[1][2][better source needed]
The T-41B was the US Army version, with a 210 hp (160 kW)Continental IO-360 engine and constant-speed propeller in place of the 145 hp (108 kW)Continental O-300 and 7654 fixed-pitch propeller used in the 172 and the T-41A.[4][5][6]
In 1996, the aircraft were further upgraded to the T-41D, which included an upgrade inavionics[1][better source needed] and to a constant-speed propeller.
Beginning in 1993, the USAF replaced many of the T-41 fleet with theSlingsby T-3A Firefly for the flight-screening role, and foraerobatic training, which was outside the design capabilities of the T-41.[2][7][better source needed]
Four T-41s remained at the Air Force Academy for the USAFA Flying Team, as well as to support certain academic classes.[8]
A number of air forces, includingSaudi Arabia andSingapore, 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 theLycoming O-320 in later 172s.[4]
Variants of the T-41 other than the T-41A were built under thetype certificate of theCessna 175 Skylark.[9][10] The 175 was a close derivative of the 172 and most parts aft of the firewall are interchangeable. The controversialContinental 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 licenseeReims Aviation in France sold similar IO-360-powered models as theR172 Rocket and Hawk XP.[10]
T-41A
United States Air Force version of theCessna 172F, 172G, and 172H for undergraduate pilot training, powered by 145 hp Continental O-300.[4] 230 built; 170 (172F), 26 (172G), and 34 (172H).[11][a]
T-41B
United States Army version powered by a fuel-injected 210 hp (157 kW)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).[5][6][9][11]
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.[5][9][11]
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).[5][9][11] First T-41D delivered to thePhilippine Air Force in 1968[12]
65-5226 – T-41 on static display atRandolph 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 historicalATC andAETC aircraft.[citation needed]
^abThe T-41A designation was originally assigned in 1962 to a proposedUnited States Navy navigation trainer variant of theGrumman 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 Academe.[3]
^Swanborough, Gordon; Bowers, Peter M. (1976).United States Navy Aircraft since 1911 (2nd ed.). Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. p. 439.ISBN0-87021-968-5.
^abcdefghTaylor, John:Jane's Pocket Book of Military Transport and Training Aircraft, page 67. Macmillan Publishing Inc., 1974. Library of Congress 73-15288
Hagedorn, Daniel P. (1993).Central American and Caribbean Air Forces. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd.ISBN0-85130-210-6.
Shiel, Walt; Forsgren, Jan; Little, Michael (2006).T-41 Mescalero: The Military Cessna 172. Lake Linden, Michigan, USA: Slipdown Mountain Publications.ISBN978-0-9746553-3-8.
a Redesignated during development • b Not built • c Produced only by Reims • d Transferred toBeechcraft during development • e Early models had no "I" suffix; some sources call these aircraft theCitation 500
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