Yanks' VULTEE

Air Classics, Jun 2004 by O'Leary, Michael

ONCE THE MOST PROLIFIC OF BASIC TRAINING AIRCRAFT, THE VULTER BT-13 IS NOW A RARE ITEM. HOWEVER, YANKS AIR MUSEUM MAINTAINS A BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED EXAMPLE

Prior to America's entry into World War Two, Vultee Aircraft built the unsuccessful P-66 Vanguard light fighter. However, less well known is the fact that the company utilized the basic engineering of this aircraft to create three trainers - all of which were named Valiant, but only one of which was successful.

The Vullee BC-1A first flew on 24 March 1939 powered by a P&W R-1340 of 550-hp, was aimed at the Basic Combat category (after redefined as Advanced Trainer), and had retractable gear and good performance but the Air Corps went with the North American BC-1A. Next was the Vultee Model 54 which first flew on 9 June 1939 and was aimed at the Advanced Trainer market but fitted with a Wright R-975 Whirlwind of just 450-hp, it lacked perfcrmance and eventually served as a company hack.

However, third time was the Scharm. The Vultee Model 54A first went aloft on 28 July 1939, carrying the civil registration NX21754. With fixed l|nding gear and a P&W R-985 engine, the Air Corps liked this airplane - and they liked it a lot. As war tensions built, fhe Air Corps had a three-tier training program: Primary, Basic, and Advanced. The initial Army order was for 300 |jircraft, designated BT-13 and named Valiant. This was the largest-ever order for basic trainers but it was followed byja stunning order for a further 2000 aircraft - America was rapidly building its air arm and needed pilots in a manner most desperate. However, even this contract would soon seem small.

The first production variantffwas the BT-13 and this was soon overtaken by the BT-13A which had a R-985-AN-1 and various small improvements over the earlier aircraft. This would be the principal production variant with the USAAF acquiring 6407 aircraft followed by 1125 BT-13Bs which were basically similar but fitted with a 24-volt electrical system.

Vultee built these planes in a rapid and efficient manner and production of the airframes was soon outstripping the supply of engines! Accordingly, during 1941 and 1942, Vultee built 1693 BT-15s which were powered by the Wright R-975-11 radial of 450-hp.

The Navy was not far behind and on 28 August 1940 began ordering Valiants and would eventually procure 1350 SNV-1s (BT-13A) and 650 SNV-2s (BT-13B). Vultee would go on to build a staggering 11,538 Valiants with production phasing out mid-1944.

During 1945, the USAAF replaced a lot of the Basic training requirement with students going directly from Primary to Advanced. With the end of the Second World War, the USAAF had no need for the BT-13 and the fleet was put up for surplus sale. Selling below $500, the Valiants were snapped up by a new generation of private pilots and the greatly advancing aerial application industry which utilized Valiant components such as engines, wheels, and brakes on their Stearman dusters and sprayers.

As time went on, the Valiant fleet succumbed to age and the elements and today less than 50 examples are flying. However, numerous Valiants are being restored across the country but one of the nicest is the BT-13B currently on display at the Yanks Air Museum, Chino, California.

This particular aircraft had been maintained in flyable condition by the late Stan Hoefler, who was the former museum director. As the museum began to develop and Stan and his crew began turning out mint restorations of military aircraft that were returned to their original condition, Stan took the old BT under his care and added much of its original military gear to produce the fine example of America's most-produced basic trainer that is part of Yanks' growing display of restored American training aircraft.