TEMCO Pinto: Minijets

TEMCO 51 Pinto TT-1

The United States Air Force issued a requirement in 1952 for a jet-powered primary trainer, and Texas Engineering and Manufacturing Company (Temco) responded with a design it labeled the Model 51 "Pinto." Powered by a Continental J69-T-9 turbojet, the Pinto was a tricycle-geared mid-wing cantilever monoplane, with tandem seating for the instructor and student in an enclosed cockpit.

Prototype du Temco TT1 'Pinto'. Source : Couverture Aviation Magazine, octobre 1956

First flown on 26 March of 1956, the prototype was tested by the U. S. Navy, which subsequently ordered 14 of the aircraft under the designation TT-1, to study the feasibility of using jet aircraft for primary training. No additional TT-1 Pinto aircraft were manufactured.

Also under development in response to the 1952 Air Force requirement was the Cessna T-37, a primary jet trainer powered by two Continental J69-T-9 turbojets, instead of the Pinto's one.

That aircraft was accepted by the Air Force, with two prototypes being ordered, the first of which flew in October of 1954.

Thus, in a situation where Temco appears to have entered the competition with too little, too late, the TT-1 Pinto had a very limited life.