Trainers

Fairchild PT-26 “Cornell”

The PT-26 is identical to the Fairchild PT-19 except that it has a canopy for use in cold training climates, such as Canada, where it was used extensively. During WWII most primary aviation training was done in the southern part of the US and therefore the primary trainers were open cockpit aircraft. In 1942 the both Fairchild in the US and Fleet Aircraft in Canada began production of 1,700 PT-26’s which were used for training in cold climates of Canada by the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Powered by a 200 hp Ranger L-440 engine, the Cornell cruises at 110 mph and can reach a maximum speed of 129mph. The PT-26 above is owned and operated by the Indiana Wing of the Commemorative Air Force located at Executive Airport in Boone County, IN.

Vultee BT-13 “Valiant”

The “Valiant” was considered to be a basic trainer the US military in WWII and was the most widely used aircraft flown for that purpose by the US Army Air Forces during that conflict. A more complex and demanding aircraft than the student aviators flew in primary training; the BT-13 had a more powerful Wright R-975 engine producing 450 hp, flaps, variable pitch propeller, and a two-way radio. Built at a cost of $20,000, the BT-13 could reach a maximum speed of 155 mph and cruise at 130 mph for 880 miles before refueling.

The latest warbird to be permanently based in the metro Indianapolis area is the BT-13 pictured above. This magnificently polished aluminum aircraft is a 1942 BT-13A, photographed recently flying in the Mount Comfort Airport area. The aircraft is restored to museum quality, and until late 2005 was on loan and displayed at the Birmingham, AL Air Museum. During WWII she served her country well at the Pecos, TX Army Air Corp Base as a secondary/basic trainer.

Flight Instructor Greg Mahler owns BT #903, and keeps it based at Greenwood, Indiana. A long time supporter-fundraiser and committee member volunteer for the Indianapolis Air Show, Greg was pleased to have this aircraft make its first appearance at the 2006 show.

Scottish Aviation T1 “Bulldog”

The “Bulldog” was used until just recently by the Royal Air Force as a primary trainer for all of its aviation cadets in Great Britain. It features side by side seating for the pupil and instructor which results in better cockpit communication during training, and is fully aerobatic to teach the fledging aviator the necessary maneuvers needed for military flight competency. Currently there are 35 “Bulldogs” operating in the United States.

This particular “Bulldog” entered service in 1976 with the Royal Air Force at the Shawbury Training Squadron in England as both a primary and instrument trainer. In June of 2000 it was taken out of service by the RAF and then purchased by John Joyce and Dale Sollenberger of Carmel, IN. This neat little warbird first appeared and flew at the Indianapolis Air Show in 2003 and will again return for us in 2010.

North American AT-6/SNJ “Texan”

The AT-6 (SNJ was the Navy designation) Texan was the advanced trainer used by all services in WWII. Over 15,000 of these aircraft were built, and they are the most numerous of the warbirds still flying today. During WWII a trainee had to master the Texan in order to receive his wings, which was a handful to fly, but at the same time it did represent the difficulty that would be found in the more advanced fighters, bombers and transports. There were various types of aircraft in both of the primary and basic categories, but when he moved up to the advanced trainer, there was only the AT-6 that was available and used. During the Korean War the T-6 was used by the USAF as forward air control aircraft and known as a Mosquito.

A typical Texan photographed just after landing at the Mt. Comfort airport. The AT-6 is a great air show performer as it makes lots of noise and when there is a formation of several, as is always the case at Mt. Comfort; the sound of the multiple radial engines is something not to miss.

North American T-28 “Trojan”

Powered by a Wright R-1820 Cyclone nine cylinder engine producing 1,425 horsepower, the Trojan was designed as a follow-up trainer to the T-6 Texan. Intended to train and prepare fledging pilots in the post WWII Air Force for flying the new jet powered aircraft, the T-28 had a cockpit instrument layout similar to the new jets, and a tricycle landing gear. The US Navy also ordered the aircraft and it was used for many years to introduce new Naval Aviators to the nuances of landing and taking of from an aircraft carrier.

Armed with machine guns and bombs, the T-28 was deployed to Vietnam in the late 1950’s, where it was used by both the U.S. and the South Vietnamese Air Forces as a low level attack aircraft. It was also used by many nations during the 50’s and 60’s, and especially by the French in Algeria, who used it in support of the French Foreign Legion against rebel forces.

Pictured above is the T-28 owned by Jim Stitt of Cincinnati, OH.


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