Cessna’s Model 407 mock-up was marketed to both military and civilian customers but was ultimately canceled before a flying prototype was completed. [Courtesy: Cessna]
Key Takeaways:
In the late 1950s, Cessna developed the 407 by uniquely adapting its T-37 military jet trainer into a four-place civilian personal jet, reversing its traditional approach of modifying civilian aircraft for military use.
The project aimed to capitalize on the nascent personal jet market, following the precedent of the French MS.760 Paris, by utilizing existing T-37 components and tooling to minimize development costs.
Designed for comfort and performance, the 407 featured a pressurized cabin, easy entry, and projected impressive metrics including a high service ceiling, good range, and speed.
Despite significant progress, including mock-up and prototype construction, the Cessna 407 project was ultimately abandoned in favor of the later and highly successful Citation family of business jets.
The late 1950s and early ’60s saw a frenzy of aircraft development. Largely driven by military contracts that called for a specialized type dedicated to each role, variety abounded, and unique designs emerged to address the many military requirements of the era.
Cessna was no exception, and it took an interesting approach to developing a new model in September 1959.
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Jason McDowell is a private pilot and Cessna 170 owner based in Madison, Wisconsin. He enjoys researching obscure aviation history and serves as a judge for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association. He can be found on Instagram as @cessnateur.
