The T-41 Mescalero is a military version of the Cessna 172 that was fitted with a larger engine and variable pitch propeller.
The Mescalero has been used by the United States Air Force and Army as well as the armed forces of various other countries as a pilot training aircraft. In 1964, the US Air Force decided to use the off-the-shelf Cessna 172 as a preliminary flight screener for pilot candidates and ordered 237 T-41As from Cessna. The T-41B is the US Army version.
The T-41B came with a 210 hp Continental IO-360 and a constant-speed propeller. In 1996, the aircraft were further upgraded to the T-41D, which included an upgrade in avionics. In 1993, the US Air Force replaced much of the T-41 fleet with the Slingsby T-3A Firefly for the flight screening role, and for aerobatic training, which was outside the design capabilities of the T-41. Only three T-41s remain at the Air Force Academy in order to support certain academic classes as well as the USAFA Flying Team.
HISTORY OF THE LSFM T-41 MESCALERO
This model was used by the United States Army as a primary trainer and liaison aircraft. This was first the C-172E, and was built in 1967. It was converted to the T-41 configuration prior to its donation to the Museum. The aircraft is airworthy.
