The Swearingen Merlin III revolutionized business aviation by delivering jet-like performance with turboprop efficiency, becoming the first clean-sheet design from Ed Swearingen's pioneering company. First flown in production form in February 1972, it was a low-wing twin-turboprop aircraft seating 8-11 passengers with pressurized cabin comfort. Spanning 46 feet 3 inches with a length of 42 feet 4 inches, the aircraft achieved cruise speeds of 288 mph with a remarkable 2,860-mile range. Swearingen Aircraft manufactured exactly 92 Merlin III aircraft at their San Antonio, Texas facility before production ended in 1983.
View in Encyclopedia