The North American Sabreliner, later sold as the Rockwell Sabreliner, is an American mid-sized business jet developed by North American Aviation. It was offered to the United States Air Force (USAF) in response to its Utility Trainer Experimental (UTX) program.

The T-39 was developed by North American Aviation, Inc. as a private venture to meet a USAF requirement for a twin-jet utility trainer. The prototype T-39 made its first flight on 16 September 1958. In January 1959, the USAF placed a production order and on 30 June 1960, the first production T-39A made its initial flight.

Following President Johnson’s death in January 1973, this aircraft flew as a test bed for advanced avionics and communication equipment as part of the SPECKLED TROUT research and development program.

The T-39 Sabreliner is a low wing, twin jet aircraft. The cockpit and cabin compartments are pressurized and soundproofed for high altitude flight.

On 28 January 1964, an unarmed T-39 Sabreliner aircraft of the United States Air Force (USAF) was shot down while on a training mission over Erfurt, East Germany, by a MiG-19 jet fighter of the Soviet Air Force.

2022年12月9日 · Description: More information on the T-39 Sabreliner. Alternatively, click here to download the PDF file. Description: Standard Aircraft Characteristic Chart for T-39D.

2021年3月6日 · However, the Rockwell / North American Sabreliner, otherwise known as the T-39, was the original “versatile” business jet! In total, Rockwell / North American built well over 800 of the jet, making it one of the most built business jets in history.

“A twin-jet, multipurpose aircraft, the military version of the North American Aviation Sabreliner was designated the T-39 by the U.S. Air Force and Navy. It was designed to cruise at speeds of 500 mph (804 kph) at 40,000 feet (12,192 meters), above most weather.

2023年10月2日 · Note: Seen departing BFI on a cool & cloudy day was this 1963 vintage T-39. Aircraft is wears the basic FAA color scheme and adorns various apendages & sensors. Note: North American T-39A Sabreliner on ramp at Luke AFB. Scanned from Kodachrome slide. Note: A/C has been restored displaying the markings of Maxwell AFB, AL.

North America was already pursuing the idea of a small jet transport and adapted its early concepts for the prototype of the Sabreliner. Designed as a utility aircraft that could be used for combat-readiness training, the T-39A was tested in June 1960, and deliveries were made later that year to the USAF Training Command.