With its 1953 Beechcraft T-34A Mentor airplane, the Wisconsin Wing of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) preserves aviation history and provides a safe, reliable, and fun warbird flying experience for its members and guests.
This is a story of an aircraft with multiple lives, as it has undergone two major restorations. The CAF continues to upgrade and improve their airplane.
T-34A: The Primary Air Force Trainer in the 1950s
The T-34A was the primary trainer for the U.S. Air Force during the 1950s. The original aircraft, a Beechcraft Model 45 developed from the Beechcraft Bonanza, first flew in December 1948. The first military prototype, the YT-34A, had its first flight in May 1950. The U.S. Air Force ordered 450 of the type. The Chilean, Canadian, and Japanese air forces also used the T-34A.
The T-34A is 25 feet long and has a 32-foot wingspan. It has a 225-hp Continental Engine, a maximum speed of 191 mph, and a 20,000-foot ceiling.
U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Flew the T-34B Model
The aircraft was a versatile design, as the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps also flew the T-34B model. The T-34B, a U.S. Navy trainer, flew until the early 1970s when it was replaced by the T-34C Turbo-Mentor, which had a turboprop engine. The B model had several changes from the A model, including differential braking for steering control on the ground, additional wing dihedral for increased stability, and adjustable rudder pedals instead of the moveable seats on the T-34A.
CAF Wisconsin Wing T-34A begins first restoration
The CAF Wisconsin Wing T-34A, tail number N5347W, was manufactured in 1953. It transferred to the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) in 1964 and moved between Texas, Nevada, and Alabama. A company in the Philippines bought it in 1971. Then, in 1980, a buyer in California purchased the plane and performed an extensive restoration costing $240,000.
The restoration included updating the avionics, installing a new 300 hp Continental engine with a three-blade propeller, and painting it in its current Air Force paint scheme. The aircraft also received a smoke system, strobe lights, a new Cleveland Brake system, and an Insight engine monitor.
T-34A Donated to Wisconsin Wing of Commemorative Air Force
In 1990, a new owner placed the aircraft in a hangar in Wisconsin, and there it sat, an unused piece of aviation history, until 2017, when he donated it to the Wisconsin Wing of the CAF. Wing member Mike Woods suggested the group consider acquiring a T-34A the year prior. While in the Air Force, he had flown T-34s with the Flying Club at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.
“The T-34 is such a beautiful airplane,” said Woods. “It was the most fun flying airplane I’d ever been in. It brought back fond, fond memories.”
The Wing agreed with Woods and began searching for an aircraft. They were pleasantly surprised to find N5347W in a hangar at the Waukesha County Airport (UES), where they operated.
“We got lucky and found it at our home airport,” said Garry Otto, executive officer for the Wing.
The owner admired the Wisconsin CAF Wing and donated the T-34 to them, conditional on their taking good care of it. The Wing promised to get the plane flying again.
T-34A, Tail Number N5347W Begins Second Restoration
The renovation began in 2017 and was mostly complete. The plane was ready for test flights in November 2018. The work included removing and overhauling the engine and propeller and adding GAMI fuel injectors.
“We had to replace almost everything except for the crank,” said Otto.
Key Components Overhauled and Replaced
Other significant aspects of the renovation included changing the control surfaces from magnesium to aluminum and replacing hoses, fuel bladders, tires, tubes, and seals.
“Anything that was rubber had to be replaced,” said Wisconsin CAF member Steve Lark, committee chairman for the T-34 project.
Another key upgrade of the original restoration was converting the plane to all 24-volt DC power from the original AC and DC system. After these modifications, the Wing had to comply with three additional airworthiness directives. These included a new doubler plate, spar modifications, and complying with wing and tail section airworthiness directives.
Preserving Aviation History Requires Continuous Effort
The aircraft’s work was still incomplete as they found corrosion in the engine and had to send it back to the repair shop for an additional overhaul. There is still more to do, which is typical with maintaining and operating older aircraft and preserving aviation history. The comprehensive renovation was expensive, and the Wisconsin CAF had to raise funds for the work.
Their first estimate was that the renovation would cost about $87,000, but they have spent $147,000 so far. The Wing has received support from many generous pilots, maintainers, and others who want to support the T-34A project.
Wisconsin CAF Wing is Now Flying Their T-34A
Today, members of the Wisconsin CAF wing are enjoying flying T-34A tail number N5347W. Right now, the plane is in the experimental category, and they have a few more modifications to make to get it into the standard category.
The category is important as it will allow the Wing to enroll more people in its RIDES program, bringing in more funding. It will also enable them to carry out the CAF’s mission to honor our veterans, inspire more people to become interested in aviation and aviation history, and educate the public about our heroes who fought for the freedoms we have.
“It’s the greatest thrill to actually have this project done, and what an honor to be flying a piece of history like this,” said Otto. “There’s something special about flying these airplanes.”
The CAF selected the Wisconsin Wing T-34A as part of its lineup for its 2024 12 Planes of Christmas fundraising campaign. The funds raised will help the CAF restore and maintain aircraft and recognize the good work the Wisconsin CAF Wing is doing to preserve aviation history.
