Swearingen SA226 Metro

SA-226-TC Metro II

The Metro was developed by Swearingen on the basis of the Beech Queen Air as a commuterliner, and first flew as the SA-226TC 26 August 1969. The first production version was priced at $743,750 in 1974, less avionics. Twenty were built.

Swearingen Metro

The Metro II SA226-TC of 1975 had minor improvements, larger cabin windows.

Swearingen SA-226AT Merlin IVA OO-VGD (c/n AT-062)

The Metro II can convert from a high density 20 seat configuration, to an all cargo configuration in 30 minutes.

Gallery

1969 Metro
Engines: two 840hp Garrett AiResearch TPE-331-3UW-303G
Wingspan: 46’4″
Length: 59’5″
Useful load: 5125 lb
Max speed: 292 mph
Cruise: 278 mph
Stall: 99 mph
Range: 995-2400 mi
Ceiling: 27,490′
Seats: 21-22

Metro II SA226-TC
Engines: Two Garrett TPE331-3UW-3003G / optional 350 lb Aerojet General JATO
Max speed: 294 mph
Cruise: 279 mph
Stall: 99 mph

SA226-TC Metro II
Engines: 2 x Garrett TPE 331 3UW-304G, 840 shp
Empty wt: 8150 lb
MTOW: 12,500 lb (later 13,100 lb)
Pax cap: 20
Cruise: 235 kts @ 15,000 ft, 252 kts @ 10,000 ft
Cargo holds: 181 cu.ft
Press differential: 7 psi
SL cabin alt: 16,000 ft
Max op alt: 25,000 ft
ROC @ MTOW: 2400 fpm
SE ROC: 650 fpm

Engines: Garrett, 940 shp
TBO: 2500 hr
Max cruise: 283mph
Econ cruise: 230 mph
Stall: 86 mph
Fuel cap: 4342 lb
Service ceiling: 27,000 ft
SE service ceiling: 14,700 ft
ROC: 2400 fpm
SE ROC: 650 fpm
Min field length: 2050 ft
Payload with full fuel: 293 lb
Max range: 2110 sm
High speed range: 1665 sm
Max payload: 4430 lb
Range with max payload: 435 sm
Pressurisation diff: 7.0 lb. psi
Seats: 22
Gross wt: 12500 lb
Equipped empty wt: 8219 lb
Useful load: 4281 lb

Metro II
Engines: 2 x Garrett TPE 331-3UW-303G, 940 hp
Seats: 22
Wing loading: 45 lb/sq.ft
Pwr loading: 6.65 lb/hp
Gross wt: 12,500 lb
Operating wt: 7869 lb
Equipped useful load: 4500 lb
Payload max fuel: 158 lb
Zero fuel wt: 12,500 lb
Range max fuel/cruise: 1474 nm/5.8 hr
Range max fuel / range: 1915 nm/ 7.9 hr
Service ceiling: 25,000 ft
Max cruise: 255 kt
Max range cruise: 244 kt
Vmc: 91 kt
Stall: 86-98 kt
1.3 Vso: 112 kt
ROC: 2400 fpm
SE ROC: 650 fpm @ 133 kt
SE Service ceiling: 14,000 ft
Min field length: 2050 ft
Cabin press: 7 psi
Fuel cap: 4342 lb

Swanson-Fahlin SF-2 / Fahlin Plymocoupe

Designed by Swen Swanson and Ole Fahlin, the 1935 Swanson-Fahlin SF-2 was a two-place cabin, high wing monoplane, registered N365 c/n SF-2.

Powered by a Plymouth PJ auto engine (not inverted as often thought) with a geared propshaft, it became known as Fahlin after Swanson’s death from pneumonia in Feb 1935 during construction.

Sold in Novrmber 1935 after it failed to meet DoC contract specifications and, fitted with extra fuel tanks as Sea-Aska, it crash-landed in fog at Juneau AK in September 1936 during an attempted non-stop Anchorage-Seattle flight—pilot Russell Owens telegraphed his backers: “Sea-Aska on her asska in Alaska.”

Destroyed in a 1938 hangar fire in Juneau.

Although Plymocoupe is often thought to be an Nicholas-Beazley product, none was ever produced by that company. Fahlin went on to fame and fortune with his propeller business.

Swanson-Fahlin SF-2
Engine: 82hp 6-cylinder Plymouth PJ
Wingspan: 32’0″
Length: 17’9″
Useful load: 536 lb
Max speed: 120 mph
Cruise: 100 mph
Stall: 40 mph
Range: 500 mi
Ceiling: 16,000′.
Seats: 2

Swanson-Fahlin SF-1

Swanson-Fahlin SF-1 NX271Y

Based on Swanson W-15 design, the 1934 Swanson-Fahlin SF-1 was a two-place cabin, high-wing monoplane, powered by an 85hp Pobjoy R engine. It first flew in April 1934, registered NX271Y c/n 1.

It was repowered c.1937 with an 85hp Continental A-85.

Disposition after c.1940 is uncertain, reportedly was stored in a hangar on a field taken over by the military, who consigned it to the scrap pile. Despite many references to a trio of Swanson and Fahlin-designed planes built by Nicholas-Beazley Co, only the SF-1 and SF-2 were built at the N-B plant, and those by Swen Swanson in rented space.

Engine: 85hp Pobjoy R
Wingspan: 28’0″
Length: 21’10”
Useful load: 500 lb
Max speed: 130 mph
Cruise: 104 mph
Stall: 42 mph
Seats: 2

Swanson Airplane Co W-15 Coupe

Designed by Swen Swanson the 1931 W-15 Coupe was a two-place cabin, high-wing monoplane, certified under ATC 2-312.

With a cantilever wing it was priced at $4,450, $4,985 with starter, battery and generator, lights, steel prop, added instrumentation.

One was built, registered NC10546 c/n 1.

The design carried on into the Swanson-Fahlin SF-1.

Engine: 110hp Warner Scarab
Wingspan: 34’4″ Length: 25’0″
Max speed: 125 mph
Cruise: 95 mph
Stall: 40 mph
Range: 625 mi
Seats: 2