View source for Fairchild PT-19

{{short description|American monoplane primary trainer aircraft in service during WWII}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name = PT-19
 |image = File:Fairchild PT-19 Cornell USAF.jpg
 |caption = Fairchild PT-19
 |type = Trainer
 |manufacturer = [[Fairchild Aircraft]]
 |designer = <!-- Only appropriate for one-person designers, not project leaders or chief designers -->
 |first_flight = 15 May 1939
 |introduction = 1940
 |retired =
 |status =
 |primary_user = [[United States Army Air Corps]]
 |more_users = [[United States Army Air Forces]]<br/>[[Royal Canadian Air Force]]<br/>[[Royal Air Force]]
 |produced = 
 |number_built = 7,700+
 |variants = 
}}

The '''Fairchild PT-19''' (company designation Fairchild M62) is an American  [[monoplane]] primary [[trainer aircraft]] that served with the [[United States Army Air Forces]], [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] and [[Royal Canadian Air Force|RCAF]] during [[World War II]]. Designed by [[Fairchild Aircraft]], it was a contemporary of the [[Boeing-Stearman Kaydet|Kaydet]] [[biplane]] trainer, and was used by the USAAF during Primary Flying Training. As with other USAAF trainers of the period, the PT-19 had multiple designations based on the powerplant installed.

==Design and development==
According to H.L. Puckett, "Still U.S. pilots were receiving their primary flight training in biplanes, although the low wing advance trainer was in use. A look around showed that there was no low wing primary trainer being produced in the U.S. [[Sherman Fairchild|Fairchild]] felt this urgency and set his organization at work on such a low wing trainer with the proposal that the new proven Ranger be used as the power plant for the new airplane to be known as the M-62. The M-62, which was to become the PT-19, was to use the experience gained from the [[Fairchild F-24|F-24]] and the more recent Model 46."<ref name="hlp">{{cite book |last1=Puckett |first1=H.L. |title=Sherman Fairchild's PT-19: Cradle of Heroes |date=1980 |publisher=Flambeau Lith Corporation |pages=14–36, 77–85}}</ref>

In 1933, Fairchild Aircraft Corporation's chief engineer, A.A. Gassner, had hired Armand Thiebolt, as his chief structural engineer. In 1937, Thiebolt was named chief engineer, and given the task of designing the PT-19. Included in the design was the use of interchangeable parts and non-strategic materials. According to Puckett, "The proposed low wing design adapted itself readily to a wide tread landing gear, which when combined with judicious wheel location and a low center of gravity, provided protection against ground looping." The Ranger engine would also result in a narrower cowling compared to those using a radial engine, which meant increased visibility for the pilot. The reduced cowling also improved propeller efficiency and an increase in horsepower.<ref name=hlp/>

The [[cantilever]] wings, with wooden ribs, were covered by 3/32 inch preformed mahogany or fir plywood. The inboard portion consisted of a welded [[truss]]ed [[41xx steel|4130]] structure. The fuselage used [[Chromoly]] square tubing for the [[longeron]]s and brace members, and fabric covered. The cowling was made of [[Alclad]]. Both wing center sections contained the {{convert|24.5|USgal|l|adj=on}} fuel tank, with landing gear housings on the outboard ends. The [[oleo strut]]s were designed to withstand a 6 ''g'' acceleration from a {{convert|30|in|cm|adj=on}} drop. Two hollow box wood spars were used in the wing and center sections. [[Duramold]] was used to cover the wings. Early models used aluminum alloy seats made by the [[Budd Company]], while later models used plywood seats made by [[Hughes Aircraft Company]]. Early models had metal floors and flaps, while later models used wood for both. The vertical and horizontal stabilizers were made of spruce spars, covered with {{convert|1/16|in|mm}} plywood. According to Puckett, "Moisture became the arch enemy of the Fairchild PT and was responsible for the relatively small survival rate of the airplanes built."<ref name=hlp/>

[[File:Fairchild Cornell Wing Restoration.JPG|thumb|PT-19 plywood wing center section]]
[[File:Fairchild PT-19A Cornell, 1947-01-22, PT19 EL-2000-00262.jpg|thumb|Fairchild PT-19]]
[[File:Ranger L-440.jpg|thumb|Fairchild [[Ranger L-440]] engine]]
[[File:Fairchild Cornell Cockpit Port Side.JPG|thumb|Commonwealth Forces cockpit, port side]]

On 15 May 1939, the M-62 prototype first flew.  In a fly-off competition at [[Wright Field]], the aircraft beat out 17 other designs. On 22 September 1939, the Army placed an order for 270 airplanes. Fairchild had to include 27 wood working subcontractors, including furniture stores, a [[hosiery]] plant and a [[foundry]]. After the start of [[WWII]], Fairchild licensed manufacturing with [[Fleet Aircraft]], [[Howard Aircraft Corporation]], [[St. Louis Aircraft Corporation]], and [[Aeronca]].<ref name=hlp/>

The original production batch of 275 were powered by the [[Straight engine|inline]] 175&nbsp;hp [[Ranger L-440|Ranger L-440-1]] engine and designated the '''PT-19'''.{{fact|date=September 2024}} In 1941, mass production began and 3,181 of the '''PT-19A''' model, powered by the 200&nbsp;hp L-440-3, were made by [[Fairchild Aircraft|Fairchild]]. An additional 477 were built by [[Aeronca Aircraft|Aeronca]] and 44 by the St. Louis Aircraft Corporation. The '''PT-19B''', of which 917 were built, was equipped for instrument flight training by attaching a collapsible hood to the front cockpit.

When airplane production exceeded engine production, the '''PT-23''' was prototyped by Fairchild. Except for the engine, the airplane was identical from the [[Firewall (engine)|firewall]] rearwards. According to Puckett, "The second protype PT-23 was the only one of these airplanes which was painted [[United States Army Air Corps|Air Corps]] blue and yellow."<ref name=hlp/> The PT-23 was powered by the 220&nbsp;hp [[Continental R-670]] [[Radial engine|radial]] powerplant. A total of 869 PT-23s were built as well as 256 of the '''PT-23A''', which was the instrument flight-equipped version.{{fact|date=September 2024}} The PT-23 was manufactured in the US by Fairchild, Aeronca, [[St. Louis Aircraft Corporation]] and [[Howard Aircraft Corporation]] and in [[Canada]] by [[Fleet Aircraft|Fleet Aircraft Corporation]] as well as Fabrica do Galeao in [[Brazil]] (220 or 232 between 1944 and 1948).

During 1943, USAAF Training Command received a number of complaints about durability issues with the plywood wings of the PT-19 and the PT-23 when exposed to the high heat and/or humidity of training bases located in Texas and Florida.<ref name= "Sessums"/>  Maintenance officers at the USAAF overhaul depots had been forced to order replacement of the wooden wing sections after only two to three months' active service because of wood rot and ply separation issues.<ref name="Sessums">Sessums, Col. J.W. [https://web.archive.org/web/20170801042308/https://digitalndulibrary.ndu.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/icafarchive/id/306/rec/15 ''Design and Engineering Problems of Aircraft Production''.] 14 May 1946, pp. 6–8.</ref>  Subsequent to this incident, the USAAF incorporated a demand for all-metal wing sections on all future fixed-wing training aircraft.<ref name= "Sessums"/>

The final variant was the '''PT-26''' which used the L-440-7 engine. The Canadian-built versions of these were designated the '''Cornell''' for use by the [[British Commonwealth Air Training Plan]] which was centered in Canada.{{fact|date=September 2024}}

==Operational history==
{{Unreferenced section|date=September 2024}}
[[File:Fairchild PT-23 Cornell N64138 EDW AFB 06.05.90R edited-3.jpg|thumb|Radial engined PT-23 Cornell built by Aeronca, privately flown in 1990]]
Compared to the earlier [[biplane]] trainers, the Fairchild PT-19 provided a more advanced type of aircraft. Speeds were higher and wing loading more closely approximated that of combat aircraft, with flight characteristics demanding more precision and care.  Its virtues were that it was inexpensive, simple to maintain and, most of all, virtually viceless.{{fact|date=September 2024}}

These planes were delivered to various bases all over the country by WASPs (Women's Airforce Service Pilots) between 1942-1944.{{fact|date=September 2024}}

Thousands of the PT-19 series were rapidly integrated into the United States and Commonwealth training programs, serving throughout World War II and beyond. Even after their retirement in the late 1940s, a substantial number found their way onto the United States and other civil registers, being flown by private pilot owners.{{fact|date=September 2024}}

==Variants==
[[File:00910460 144.jpg|thumb|Fairchild PT-19 - Ranger L-440-1 Engine (Aircraft # 40-2418)]]
[[File:Little Norway PT-19.jpg|thumb|Fairchild PT-19 used in the [[Little Norway]] training camp. Now at the [[Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum]]]]
[[File:PT26Landing.jpg|thumb|]]
;PT-19
:Initial production variant of the Model M62 powered by 175 hp L-440-1, 270 built.
;PT-19A
:As the PT-19 but powered by a 200 hp L-440-3 and detailed changes, redesignated T-19A in 1948, 3226 built.
;PT-19B
:Instrument training version of the PT-19A, 143 built and six conversions from PT-19A.
;XPT-23A
:A PT-19 re-engined with a 220 hp [[Continental R-670|R-670]]-5 radial engine.
;PT-23
:Production radial-engined version, 774 built.
;PT-23A
:Instrument training version of the PT-23, 256 built.
;PT-26
:PT-19A variant with enclosed cockpit for training in Canada under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, powered by a 200hp L-440-3, 670 built for the [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] as the '''Cornell I'''.
;PT-26A
:As PT-26 but with a 200hp L-440-7 engine, 807 built by Fleet as the '''Cornell II'''.
;PT-26B
:As PT-26A with minor changes, 250 built as the '''Cornell III'''.

==Operators==
[[File:Fairchild Cornell.jpg|thumb|Fairchild PT-26B Cornell in flying condition at the [[Commonwealth Air Training Plan]] Museum, [[Brandon, Manitoba]], 2005.]]
[[File:Fairchild PT-19 Cornell ‘103’ (49526568483).jpg|thumb|Fairchild PT-19 Cornell at Norway's ''Flysamlingen Forsvarets Museer'' (Norwegian Armed Forces Aircraft Collection). This model was built for Norway as training aircraft.]]
;{{BRA}}
* [[Brazilian Air Force]]<ref name="andrade159">Andrade 1979, p. 179</ref>
;{{flag|Canada|1921}}
* [[Royal Canadian Air Force]]<ref name="andrade239">Andrade 1979, p. 239</ref>
;{{CHI}}
* [[Chilean Air Force]]<ref name="jawa51p6a">Bridgman 1951, p. 6a.</ref>
;{{China as ROC}}
;{{COL}}
* [[Colombian Air Force]]<ref name="jawa48910a">Bridgman 1948, p. 10a.</ref>
;{{ECU}}
* [[Ecuadorian Air Force]]<ref name="jawa51p7a">Bridgman 1951, p. 7a.</ref>
;{{SLV}}<ref name="jawa51p17a">Bridgman 1951, p. 17a.</ref>
;{{GTM}}
*[[Guatemalan Air Force]]<ref>Hagedorn 1993, p. 51</ref>
;{{flag|Haiti}}
*[[Haitian Air Corps|Haiti Air Corps]]<ref name="fiwaf55 p634">''Flight'' 13 May 1955, p. 634.</ref>
;{{HON}}
*[[Honduran Air Force]] - PT-23<ref name="jawa48914a">Bridgman 1948, p. 14a.</ref>
;{{flag|India}}
* [[Indian Air Force]]<ref name="andrade239" />
;{{MEX}}
*[[Mexican Air Force]]<ref name="fiwaf55 p648">''Flight'' 13 May 1955, p. 648.</ref>
;{{NIC}}
* [[Nicaraguan Air Force]]<ref name="fiwaf55 p652">''Flight'' 13 May 1955, p. 652.</ref>
;{{NOR}}
* [[Royal Norwegian Air Force]]<ref name="fiwaf55 p652"/>
;{{PAR}}
* [[Paraguayan Air Arm]] received a few Fairchild M-62s in 1940, followed by 15 Lend-Lease PT-19A in 1942-43.<ref name="aimay90 p257">Fricker ''Air International'' May 1990, p. 257.</ref> In the 1950s, 14 ex-Brazilian Air Force PT-19s (PT-3FG built under license in Brazil) were received. The last PT-19 was retired in 1972.{{Citation needed|date=January 2013}}
;{{PER}}
* [[Peruvian Air Force]]<ref name="fiwaf55 p653">''Flight'' 13 May 1955, p. 653.</ref>
;{{PHI}}
*[[Philippines Air Force]]<ref name="jawa51p16a">Bridgman 1951, p. 16a.</ref>
;{{flag|South Africa|1928}}
*[[South African Air Force]]<ref name="andrade239" />
;{{flag|Southern Rhodesia}}
*[[Rhodesian Air Force]]<ref name="andrade239" />
;{{UK}}
* [[Royal Air Force]] - Norwegian Training Base at [[RAF Winkleigh]]{{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|2007|p=196}}
;{{USA}}
* [[United States Army Air Corps]]/[[United States Army Air Forces]]<ref name="andrade159" />
;{{URY}}
* [[Uruguayan Air Force]] received 17 PT-19As and PT-19Bs under [[Lend Lease]] in 1942, with 50 PT-26s being delivered in 1946–1947.<ref name="aiaug90 p72-3">''Air International'' August 1990, pp. 72–73.</ref>
* [[Uruguayan Navy]]<ref name="aifeb92 p75">Steinemann ''Air International'' February 1992, p. 75.</ref>
;{{VEN}}
* [[Venezuelan Air Force|''Aviación Militar'']] received 20 PT-19As under Lend Lease.<ref>''Air International'' September 1973, p. 121.</ref>

==Surviving aircraft==
[[File:Cavanaugh Flight Museum December 2019 66 (Fairchild PT-19 Cornell).jpg|thumb|Fairchild PT-19 at the [[Cavanaugh Flight Museum]]]]

{{As of|2011}}, there were 98 airworthy aircraft worldwide.<ref>Murphy, Kevin. [http://www.warbirdalley.com/pt19.htm "Fairchild PT-19 / PT-23 / PT-26 Cornell."] ''Warbird Alley,'' 2011.</ref> 
*One example is found at the [[Travis Air Force Base Aviation Museum]], [[Travis Air Force Base]], [[Fairfield, California]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.travisafbaviationmuseum.org/copy-of-t-33-1|title= PT-19 "Cornell" Serial Number: 41-20230|access-date= 23 November 2022|author= Travis AFB Aviation Museum Foundation|work= travisafbaviationmuseum.org|archive-url= https://archive.today/20221123174451/https://www.travisafbaviationmuseum.org/copy-of-t-33-1|archive-date= 23 November 2022|url-status= live}}</ref>
*Another is in storage at the [[Reynolds-Alberta Museum]] in [[Wetaskiwin, Alberta]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Aviation |url=https://reynoldsmuseum.ca/aviation |website=Reynolds Museum |publisher=Government of Alberta |access-date=1 December 2019}}</ref>
*Fairchild PT-26A-FE Cornell II 'N58799' is flying in the Netherlands<ref>[https://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?AirframeSN=15514 "N58799 at aerialvisuals.ca"].</ref>
*Fairchild PT-19A (283435) is flying in Alabama with the Birmingham Escadrille of the [[Commemorative Air Force]] after a 22 year restoration started in 1986.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Garnett |first1=Craig |title=Carper's PT-19 finds permanent home with CAF |url=https://www.uvaldeleadernews.com/articles/carpers-pt-19-finds-permanent-home-with-caf/ |website=Uvalde Leader-News |date=27 March 2022 |access-date=22 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://commemorativeairforce.org/aircraft/203|title=PT-19 Jany|website=Commemorative Air Force}}</ref>
*Fairchild PT-19 (42-34382) is maintained in flying condition by [[Butler County Warbirds]] military history museum in [[Middletown, Ohio]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Fairchild PT-19 |url=https://www.bcwarbirds.com/fairchild-pt-19.html |website=BCW INC |access-date=18 December 2024}}</ref>

==Specifications (PT-19A)==
{{multiple image
 | image1 = Fairchild PT-23 Cornell 3-view line drawing.png
 | alt1 = 3-view line drawing of the Fairchild PT-23
 | caption1 = 3-view line drawing of the Fairchild PT-23
 | image2 = Fairchild PT-26 Cornell 3-view line drawing.png
 | alt2 = 3-view line drawing of the Fairchild PT-26
 | caption2 = 3-view line drawing of the Fairchild PT-26
}}

{{Aircraft specs
|ref=United States Military Aircraft since 1909<ref name="Swan mil p258-0">Swanborough and Bowers 1963, pp. 258–260.</ref>
|prime units?=kts
<!--         General characteristics -->
|crew=two (pilot, student)
|length ft=28
|length in=0
|span ft=36
|span in=0
|height ft=10
|height in=6
|wing area sqft=200
|empty weight lb=1845
|gross weight lb=2545
<!--        Powerplant -->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Ranger L-440-3]]
|eng1 type=6-cyl. inverted air-cooled in-line piston engine
|eng1 hp=200
<!--        Performance -->
|max speed mph=132
|range mi=400
|ceiling ft=15300
|time to altitude=17.5 min to {{convert|10000|ft|m|-2}}
}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Aviation}}
{{Aircontent
|related=
|similar aircraft=
* [[de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk]]
* [[Miles Magister]]
* [[Sea Teziutlán]]
* [[Yakovlev UT-2]]
|lists=
* [[Lists of military aircraft of the United States]]
* [[List of most-produced aircraft]]
|see also=
}}

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* Andrade, John, ''U.S .Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909'' Midland Counties Publications, 1979, {{ISBN|0 904597 22 9}}.
* Bridgman, Leonard. ''Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1948''. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd., 1948.
* Bridgman, Leonard. ''Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1951–52''. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd., 1951.
* Fricker, John. "Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya: Latin America's vest-pocket air force". ''Air International'', Vol. 38 No. 5, May 1990. pp.&nbsp;255–261. {{ISSN|0306-5634}}
* {{cite book |last=Hagedorn |first=Daniel P. |title=Central American and Caribbean Air Forces |year=1993 |location=Tonbridge, Kent, UK |publisher=Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd |isbn=0-85130-210-6}}
* Mondey, David. ''American Aircraft of World War II'' (Hamlyn Concise Guide). London: Bounty Books, 2006. {{ISBN|978-0-7537-1461-4}}.
*{{cite journal |last1=Sapienza|first1=Antonio Luis|title=L'aviation militare paraguayenne durant la seconde guerre mondiale |journal=Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire |trans-title=Paraguayan Military Aviation During the Second World War|date=May 2001 |issue=98 |pages=30–33 |language=fr |issn=1243-8650}}
* "Shoestring Top Cover...The Uruguayan Air Force". ''[[Air International]]'', Vol. 39 No. 2, August 1990. pp.&nbsp;65–73. {{ISSN|0306-5634}}
* Steinemann, Peter. "Protector of the Plate". ''[[Air International]]'', Vol. 42, No. 2, February 1992. pp.&nbsp;73–78. {{ISSN|0306-5634}}.
*{{cite book |last1=Sturtivant|first1=Ray|last2=Hamlin|first2=John|title=Royal Air Force flying training and support units since 1912 |year=2007 |publisher= Air-Britain (Historians)|location=[[Tonbridge]], UK|isbn=978-0851-3036-59}}
* Swanborough, F.G. and [[Peter M. Bowers]]. ''United States Military Aircraft since 1909''. London: Putnam, 1963.
* Taylor, Michael J.H. ''Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation Vol. 3''. London: Studio Editions, 1989. {{ISBN|0-517-10316-8}}.
* "Venezuela Refurbishes Her Aerial Sombrero". ''Air International'', Vol. 5 No. 3, September 1973. pp.&nbsp;118–124, 150.
* [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1955/1955%20-%200615.html "The World's Air Forces"]. ''[[Flight International|Flight]]''. Vol. 67, No. 2416, 13 May 1955. pp.&nbsp;615–668.

==External links==
{{commons category}} {{commons category|Fairchild PT-26}}
* [https://www.cavflight.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=60&Itemid=119 Cavanaugh Flight Museum PT-19]
* [http://www.goldenwingsmuseum.com/collection/Aircraft%20Info%20Sheets/Fairchild%20PT-19.pdf Golden Wings Flying Museum Fairchild PT-19A]

{{Fairchild aircraft}}
{{USAF trainer aircraft}}
{{Aircraft manufactured in Canada}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fairchild Pt-19}}
[[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:1930s United States military trainer aircraft]]
[[Category:Fairchild aircraft|PT-19]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1939]]
[[Category:Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear]]