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    |  |  |  |  | Aero
            Commander
        
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 |  | Designed
            by Aero Design & Engineering, the
            prototype Aero Commander 520 was first flown in 1948 with
            production beginning in 1951.  Since its introduction, the Aero
            Commander has been continuously improved, including stretched
            versions and more powerful piston and turboprop engines. In addition to Aero Design & Engineering, the Commander has been built by
            Rockwell-Standard, North American Rockwell, and Gulfstream. 
            Production ending with Gulfstream in 1985.
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          | Specifications
            (560) |  | Designations |  
          |   |  |   |  
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              |  | 520: first version with 240 hp Lycoming
                GO-435-C2 engines |  |  | 560: powered by 270 hp Lycoming GO-480-B
                engines (1954) |  |  | 680: powered by supercharged 340 hp 
                Lycoming GSO-480-A1A6 engines (1955) |  |  | 500: four seat version powered by 250 hp
                Lycoming O-540 engines
                (1958). Renamed Shrike Commander in 1967. |  |  | Grand Commander: 5/9 seat version with
                380 hp Lycoming
                IGSO-540-B1A engines (1961). Renamed Courser Commander
                in 1967. |  |  | Turbo Commander: Grand Commander powered
                by 575 hp Garrett TPE 331
                turboprops (1964) |  |  | L-26: U.S. Military liaison designation |  |  | U-4: U.S. Air Force utility designation |  |  | U-9: U.S. Army utility designation |  |  
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