Lackland Air Force Base in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

T-34A "Mentor"

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

1. T-34A "Mentor" Marker

Inscription. The Air Force used the T-34A for primary flight training during the 1950s. The original Mentor, a Beechcraft Model 45 derived from the famous Beechcraft Bonanza, was first flown in December 1948. The first military prototype, designated YT-34 by the Air Force, made its initial flight in May 1950. After extensive testing the Air Force ordered the Mentor into production as the T-34A in early 1953. The first production T-34A was delivered to Edwards AFB, California, in October 1953 for evaluation, and deliveries to the Air Training Command began in 1954. The T-34A served as the standard primary trainer until the Air Force introduced the Cessna T-37 jet trainer in the late 1950s. As they were replaced by the T-37, many T-34s were turned over to Base Aero clubs. In all, 450 T-34A's were produced for the Air Force. Three hundred fifty were built in the U.S. and 100 more were produced in Canada under license. In addition, two Navy versions of the Mentor were produced: the T-34B and the turboprop-powered T-34C. The Mentor also was built for the military forces of at least 10 friendly foreign nations.

This aerospace vehicle (T-34A) is a part of the USAF Heritage Program Collection. T-34a

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This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1950.

Location. 29° 23.516′ N, 98° 37.241′ W. Marker is in Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in Bexar County. It is on Bong Avenue south of Luke Blvd. The marker is located at the USAF Airman Heritage Museum’s Air Park which is around the parade grounds. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jbsa Lackland TX 78236, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas

and in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Brig. Gen. Charles "Chuck" Yeager (within shouting distance of this marker); AT-6 "Texan" (within shouting distance of this marker); We Remember (within shouting distance of this marker); T-28 "Trojan"

T-34A "Mentor" and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

2. T-34A "Mentor" and Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); F-15 "Eagle" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); F-16 "Fighting Falcon" (about 300 feet away); P-51H "Mustang" (about 300 feet away); A-10A "Thunderbolt II" (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lackland Air Force Base.

More about this marker. The marker, museum and air park are located on the Lackland Air Force Base, an active U.S. military installation which is a part of the Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA). The USAF Airman Heritage Museum and Air Park are open to the public, but appropriate identification is required for access. Visit the museum’s web site for current details on visiting the museum and air park.

Also see . . .
1. Airmen Heritage Training Complex. USAF Airman Heritage Museum (Submitted on August 22, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

2. Beechcraft T-34 Mentor. Wikipedia

The Beechcraft T-34 Mentor is an American propeller-driven, single-engined, military trainer aircraft derived from the Beechcraft Model 35 Bonanza. The earlier versions of the T-34, dating from around the late 1940s to the 1950s, were
Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

3. T-34A "Mentor"
piston-engined. These were eventually succeeded by the upgraded T-34C Turbo-Mentor, powered by a turboprop engine. The T-34 remains in service more than seven decades after it was first designed.

(Submitted on August 22, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

T-34A "Mentor" image. Click for full size.

Public Domain - US Navy - PHCS R.L. Lawson, November 3, 1976

4. T-34A "Mentor"

An air-to-air right side view of a T-34B Mentor aircraft from Training Squadron 5 (VT-5).

Credits. This page was last revised on August 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 145 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 22, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.