In mid-1951, Continental negotiated a licensing agreement with the French turbine engine company Turboméca for the technical, production, and marketing rights in the United States to the Marboré II turbojet. After an intense Continental marketing effort in 1952, Cessna selected the Marboré II (military designation J69) for its U.S. Air Force T-37 jet trainer, while Ryan Aeronautical chose it for some versions of its Ryan Firebee remotely piloted vehicle (RPV).
From 1954 through 1995, Continental produced more than 6,900 J69s for target and reconnaissance versions of the Firebee RPV. From 1955 through 1976, more than 3,000 were manufactured for the Cessna T-37. The J69-T-25A displayed here was manufactured in 1960 and powered the Cessna T-37B and C trainers.
Display Status
This object is on display in Boeing Aviation Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.
Object Details
Date
1955
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
PROPULSION-Turbines (Jet)
Manufacturer
Continental Aviation and Engineering (Toledo, Ohio)
Designer
Continental, Inc.
Societe Turbomeca S.A.
Physical Description
Type: Turbojet
Thrust: 4,561 N (1,025 lb thrust) at 21,730 rpm
Compressor: Single-stage centrifugal
Combustor: Annular
Turbine: Single-stage axial
Weight: 165 kg (364 lb)
Dimensions
Length 127.0 cm (50.0 in.), Diameter 63.2 cm (24.9 in.)
Inventory Number
A19850058000
Credit Line
Transferred from the Federal Aviation Administration, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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