Temco's Short-Lived TT-1 Naval Trainer - 70 Years Ago In Aviation Week

For the cover of its Oct. 15, 1956, issue, Aviation Week & Space Technology (then known simply as Aviation Week) featured Temco Aircraft Corp.'s prototype TT-1 trainer banking steeply near the company’s plant in Dallas, Texas. 

Initially pitched to the U.S. Air Force, the TT-1 was developed and built entirely with Temco Aircraft Corp. funds. 

Powered by a Continental YJ-69-T-9 turbojet engine of 920 lb. thrust, the light trainer allowed for pilot familiarization over a wide speed range up to Mach 0.75. 

The Air Force passed on the TT-1, but the Navy later opted for the platform, and the initial production contract totaled $2 million for 14 aircraft. 

The basic design of the TT-1 aimed at reproducing as faithfully as possible the cockpit layout common to single-place jet fighters—hence the tandem seating arrangement. 

This approach differed from the Air Force, which went with side-by-side seating on its Cessna T-37A trainer. 

Before the end of 1960, Naval Air Training Command phased the TT-1 out of operations because its performance was deemed insufficient, and the remaining aircraft were sold as surplus.

See the cover and read the full issue dated October 15, 1956. 

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