Fairchild PT-19 Primary Trainer 73″ Wingspan

FAIRCHILD PT-19 

PRIMARY TRAINER

In 1939 the USAF wanted a trainer aircraft that would better mimic a fighter .  Fairchild competed with 17 other companies and won the bid with the PT-19.  It was a cantilevered low wing monoplane with wide set main gear for good ground handling and a tail wheel.  It had tandem-seat, open cockpit arrangement. The fuselage was of steel tubing and fabric-covered. The wing was plywood covered center section, rib and fabric outer wings.  The early engine was an inline Ranger 175 hp.  When mass production began a year later, a 200 hp Ranger was installed.

The PT-19 was the primary trainer for the US, Canada and Great Britain during WWII. Nearly 5,000 were built by Fairchild, Aeronca and the St. Louis Aircraft Co. 

 Engine shortages let to the Continental radial being installed, but this cause the designation to be PT-23

Designer: Jim Pepino

Scale: 1/6th

Wing Span: 73”

Length: 54”

Engine: .40 to .60 glow