The Metro III has its roots in the Swearingen Merlin, a turboprop
eight-seat executive aircraft that first flew in 1965. As an
executive transport, the Merlin went through several modifications.
Developed more or less simultaneously with the Merlin III was the SA226TC
Metro, a 20 seat commuter aircraft which first flew in 1969.
The Metro I was superceded by the Metro II in 1975 and by the Metro III
in 1981, by which time Swearingen had been acquired by Fairchild.
The last Fairchild Metro was produced in 2001.
