Beechcraft XT-36

The Beechcraft XT-36, company designation Model 46 and intended production designation T-36A, was an American twin-engine trainer-transport aircraft project of the early 1950s by the Beech Aircraft Company. The United States Air Force started the project in 1951 on an expedited basis, driven by rising demand for aircrew during the Korean War and an anticipated shortage of North American TB-25 trainers, and it was meant to serve in both trainer and transport roles. Changing requirements led to delays, design difficulties and spiraling development costs, and the aircraft was ultimately deemed unnecessary and canceled before the prototypes flew. One prototype with Beech serial number J-1 was built but never flown. The estimated specifications describe a twin radial-engined aircraft with a 70 foot wingspan and a 25,000 pound gross weight.