Years In Service: 1942-Present
Initial Flight: May 15, 1939
All pilots began their flight training in a simple aircraft such as the PT-23 and were trained in three stages: Primary, Basic, and Advanced, before they were sent to operational units to fly combat aircraft. By 1944, more World War II pilots had received their first introduction to military flight in Fairchild PTs than in any other aircraft. This number includes not only U.S. and Canadian students, but also pilots from Great Britain, France, Norway, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, Rhodesia, and India. During World War II, the Fairchild PT-23 Cornell was used by the United States Army Air Corps as a Primary trainer.
Aircraft Specifications
Height: 10′ 6″ Wingspan: 36′ Length: 27′ 11″ Crew: 2 Powerplant: Continental R-670-4 Horsepower: 220 hp. Cruise speed: 105 mph Take-off Speed: 60-65 mph Ceiling: 13,500 ft.