Spectrum SA-550 / Basler Turbo 34
This is how the aircraft started out, many thanks to Christophe Bardou for this shot. See his page of photos taken at Reims for more Reims photos.
According to a Jane's 1985-86, the Spectrum SA-550 Spectrum One was an extensive modified Reims FTB-337G by Spectrum Aircraft Corporation of Van Nuys airport, CA.
Registered N337BF it is construction number FTB337-0061.
Flight International magazine dated 04-10 August 1993 reported the following:
Thailand to build Cessna 337 single.
A single engine conversion of the "push-pull" Cessna 337 Skymaster will
be produced by Thailand in a venture with Basler Flight Services of
Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Agreement is close on forming a company to convert the Thai military
fleet of 40 Cessna O-2s to Basler Turbo 34 configuration, says Basler.
The prototype was unveiled at the Experimental Aircraft Association
convention in Oshkosh at the end of July.
The company will explore US certification of the Turbo 34 as the Thai
project proceeds. Conversions for the civil market would also be carried
out in Thailand, Basler says.
Conversions involves replacing the Cessna 337s fore- and aft mounted 156
kW (210 shp) piston engines with a 560 kW Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34
turboprop in the rear fuselage driving a single propeller between the
tailbooms. The aircraft is stretched 2.1 m and the wing centre-section
is strengthend to allow a cross weight increase of 50%.
Interesting to note that thisarticle says that Thailand has 40 Skymasters, so far I can only find details of 11 of them. Also I can find no recent mention of theses aircraft being converted, I assume that none were actually done.
This scan is from Flight International magazine dated 25-31 August 1993 the text from which is repeated below:
Turbo 34 shows single engine.
Basler Flight Services Turbo 34 conversion of the Cessna 337 Skymaster
involves replacing the fore- and aft mounted piston engines with a
single rear mounted Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 turboprop. The
aircraft is stretched 2.1 m and can carry ten passengers or 7.3 m3 of
cargo, loaded though a large double door. Strengthening of the wing
centre section allows gross weight to be raised 50%, to 2,700 kg. Basler
claims that the aircraft, at maximum gross weight, will take off in 135
m (450 ft), climb at 1,600 ft/min (8.1 m/s), land over a 50 ft obstacle
and stop in 205 m and cruise at 230 kt (425 km/h) and 15,000 ft.
Basler has logged more than 430 h on the prototype Turbo 34.
17 September 1998 this aircraft was registered to Basler Turbo Conversions LLC, Oshkosh, WI. as N15SA and below is a scan of their brochure by Mike Cardinale.
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