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Beech D45
(T-34B) --> YT-34C
Serial Number: BG-118
BuNo: 140784
Registration Number: N190AC
Owned by: Kyle Deaton
Status: Airworthy
Just wanted to share with the T-34
community a memorable flight I took this past Sunday. A fellow
flying buddy, T-34 Association member, and neighbor Kyle Deaton
wanted to get his aircraft down to his place in Phoenix for the
winter. Kyle is the owner of the YT-34C 140784 (N190AC) which is one
of two original prototypes that paved the way for the production
T-34C’s. I was invited along as Kyle’s GIB for the trip. We departed
Jefco here in Denver early in the morning, climbed to 16.5 MSL (over
1000 fpm at 120 KIAS) sucking O2 and landed 1.5 hours later in
Gallup, NM. We burned 56 gallons of Jet-A and averaged 225 knots
over the ground in cruise with little, if any help, from the wind.
In fact the winds aloft were off our right wingtip and were light.
The second leg from Gallup, NM into Stellar Airpark in Chandler, AZ
took 52 minutes. Total flight time was 2 hours 20 minutes, give or
take. Total fuel burn 96 gallons. With 140 gallons useable, we could
have easily made it non-stop but decided the fuel stop wasn’t a bad
idea, especially since the seat pack parachutes leave a lot to be
desired as far as comfort goes. Plus, I’ve never been to Gallup, NM
before.
My point with all this is that I was
absolutely amazed at the performance of the airplane in
cross-country mode. I shouldn’t have been surprised, common sense
would dictate that the cruise performance would be much different
than my 285 hp T-34A because of the big PT-6 up front in Kyle’s
plane. N190AC proved itself to be a seriously fun and capable
go-places machine and best of all, it’s a T-34 and handles like one.
Operationally, it’s one of those “have your cake and eat it too”
airplanes! Historically, it’s truly one of a kind. Incidentally, its
sistership (140861) has lived out her later life sitting on a stick
in Pensacola.
On our way back to Denver via a USAir
Airbus, Kyle mentioned doing the same trip in his Husky in a few
weeks. I’m thinking I’ll need to pack a lunch for that one. But,
hey, no seat pack parachute to deal with!
Bill Prentice Denver, CO
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