[Llarry]

Having mentioned my own experience with the Beech T-34 Mentor, let me introduce the aircraft properly.

The Beechcraft T-34 was a clever adaptation of a popular civil airplane, the Beechcraft Bonanza. The Bonanza was a 4-passenger light plane with a distinctive V-tail and came on the market in the 1940s. The military services had huge numbers of North American AT-6 (Air Force) and SNJ (Navy) trainers left over from the World War II era. Beechcraft reasoned that an aircraft that was more modern and economical to maintain might be a winner in the Cold War era. The prototype first flew in 1948 and featured a new, slimmer fuselage with seating for two and used the same air-cooled engine, wings and landing gear as the Bonanza.

The Air Force had started replacing AT-6s in the basic training role with the North American T-28A in 1950. What they wanted was something a bit less challenging for primary flight training, the first step in training a pilot. They selected the Beechcraft T-34A in 1953 and placed orders for 350 T-34As to be built in Kansas by Beechcraft and another 100 to be built by Canadian Car and Foundry in Quebec.

Deliveries of the T-34As to the USAF started in 1955. The Royal Canadian Air Force had ordered 25 examples to evaluate the type. The RCAF ended up using the T-34A on a trial basis for just a year or two before disposing of the aircraft. Another 161 T-34As were license-built in Japan from 1954 to 1957.

The U.S. Navy had noticed the new Air Force trainer and ordered their own model, the T-34B, shortly after the Air Force. Ultimately the Navy bought 423 T-34Bs.

The last T-34B was delivered in 1957 and that appeared to be the end of the road for the T-34.

By 1960, the Air Force had decided to transition to all-jet pilot training with the Cessna T-37 first augmenting, then replacing the T-34A. The Navy continued to use the T-34B.

By the 1970s, though, the Navy wanted to better prepare its primary students for subsequent turbine-powered aircraft and felt the T-34B was lacking. In addition, T-34Bs were starting to reach their service life limits. To explore an upgrade, 2 T-34Bs were modified to use PT6 turboprop engines in an enlarged nose, along with other upgrades. While the PT6 was rated at 715 hp, the engine could be de-rated to provide enough power at 400 hp and provide excellent fuel efficiency and longevity. The first prototype YT-34C flew in 1973 and in 1976 the Navy placed an order for 184 T-34Cs with deliveries to start in 1977. Ultimately the Navy accepted 353 T-34C aircraft. The T-34C was the primary trainer for Navy, Marine and Coast Guard pilots until replaced by the T-6 Texan II in the 2000s and was retired as a trainer in 2013. It remains in service in small numbers as a chase plane.

The T-34C was also marketed as a light attack plane with light armament as the T-34C-1 and saw service in the number of countries in that capacity.