Image: The PT-19 on display at the Aerospace Museum of California

Description: Although the peacetime Army Air Corps preferred bi-planes as primary trainers, a number of monoplanes were also pressed into service. The Fairchild M-62 was selected and ordered in large numbers to support the expanding Aviation Cadet program. Initially designated the PT-19, it would also be manufactured as the PT-23 with a radial engine in place of the air-cooled in-line Ranger engine. The PT-26 would be the final version of the aircraft, similar to the PT–19 except for a full canopy, which covered both seats rather than previous open cockpits. This version was initially intended for the Royal Canadian Air Force pilot training program, but also saw service with the Army Air Corps. The past history of this airplane is unknown. It was picked up as ‘salvage’ after lying unattended at Beale AFB, CA in 1988. Restoration efforts were initiated that year and then dropped due to the very poor condition of the aircraft and lack of parts. A crew of museum volunteers, who have worked restoring it, reinitiated restoration in 2001, the completed aircraft went on display in 2009. This has entailed the fabrication of many parts to replace those that were missing or lost, and much tedious labor to bring the airframe and engine up to aircraft standards. Upon completion, a portion of the airframe was covered in Plexiglas so that visitors can view construction details.
Title: The PT-19 on display at the Aerospace Museum of California
Credit: Own work
Author: LEHarrison
Usage Terms: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0
License: CC BY-SA 4.0
License Link: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Attribution Required?: Yes