Shen Yang Aircraft issued a news release in 1988 of their intention to build the US Super Mustang T-100 jet trainer under licence in China. The T-100 is derived from the Temco Model 51 Pinto trainer, the rights to which were previously acquired from American Jet Industries by the Philippines Air Force for production as the T-610 Cali.
The Self- Reliance Development Wing of the Philippines Air Force acquired the prototype of the Temco Pinto, together with the working drawings and the rights to the design and production of the aircraft. The T-100 is a tandem two-seat jet trainer. The agreement between Avstar of Seattle, Plymouth of Hong Kong, and Pacific Marketing Consultants of San Francisco means that, after construction by Shen Yang in China, final assembly and avionics installation will be performed in the USA. Its designers claim that the aircraft "combines fighter-like handling qualities with the docile landing characteristics of a turboprop", and it has been likened by some to a "baby F-15".
A prototype T-100, powered by a General Electric J85 turbojet, is undergoing flight tests in the USA. Production aircraft may be powered by either the J85 or the Williams Jet RJ44. The choice will depend both on customer pref erence and engine availability.
The T-100 is ideal for use as a military or civil trainer, claims Avstar. It has a stalling speed of 58kt, yet can attain a climb rate in excess of 10,000ft /min, the company notes. With a price tag of less than $1 million, the aircraft is aimed at capturing a significant part of the turboprop trainer market. With Chinese expertise in fighter manufacture at Shen Yang, combined with US engine and avionics technology, Avstar maintains that it has the formula "to build the lowest- cost, most versatile jet trainer in the world"
It appears the plans for the T-100 never went through.
