The Basler Turbo 37/Spectrum SA-550 is a twin-boom single engined aircraft converted from a Reims/Cessna FTB337G Skymaster by

Basler Turbo Conversions The Basler BT-67 is a utility aircraft produced by Basler Turbo Conversions of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It is a remanufactured and modified Douglas DC-3; the modifications are designed to significantly extend the DC-3's serviceable lifetime. Desig ...

and

Spectrum Aircraft Corporation A spectrum (plural ''spectra'' or ''spectrums'') is a condition that is not limited to a specific set of values but can vary, without gaps, across a continuum. The word was first used scientifically in optics to describe the rainbow of colors ...

. The aircraft first flew on 1 February 1983.

Design and development

The Skymaster rear engine was replaced with a flat-rated

Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 The Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 is a turboprop aircraft engine produced by Pratt & Whitney Canada. Its design was started in 1958, it first ran in February 1960, first flew on 30 May 1961, entered service in 1964 and has been continuously upda ...

and front engine was removed and the cockpit was stretched forward. The aircraft is capable of taking off in less than fully loaded. Basler had a deal with the government of Thailand to convert their O-2 Skymaster to SA-550 and to convert civilian Skymaster in Thailand as well. These plans appear to have never happened. The aircraft is currently owned by Basler Turbo Conversions of

Oshkosh, Wisconsin Oshkosh is a city in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, of which it is the county seat. The city had a population of 66,816 in 2020, making it the ninth-largest city in Wisconsin. It is also adjacent to the Town of Oshkosh. History Oshkosh was ...

Specifications (SA-550)

References

External links

Basler Turbo 37 returns to the market
{{DEFAULTSORT:Spectrum Sa-550 Basler aircraft Twin-boom aircraft 1980s United States civil utility aircraft Single-engined pusher aircraft Single-engined turboprop aircraft High-wing aircraft Aircraft first flown in 1983