Page 22 - Volume 14 Number 9
P. 22
IN HISTORY
Cessna’s First Twin
Cessna Aircraft Company’s commercial Model T-50 was designed for airlines and air taxi service but evolved into one of the best twin-engine military trainers of World War II.
by Edward H. Philips
20 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
SEPTEMBER 2020
In June 1939, officials of the Cessna Aircraft Company announced a major expansion of facilities that would allow for increased production of the single-engine Airmaster and the Model T-50 – Cessna’s first twin-engine airplane. The final assembly building would make 28,000 square feet of floor space available at a cost of $50,000.
Although the Airmaster had sold well, it had reached its limit of development. What Cessna needed, according to its leader Dwane L. Wallace, was a twin-engine ship that could carry five people at speeds approaching 200 mph and sell for $30,000. It would be aimed chiefly at air taxi and small airline operators. Wallace, however, realized that if the war raging in Europe spread to the United States there would be great demand for training aircraft, and a military version of the T-50 could be a prime candidate.
