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Equipped with a more powerful engine and a larger, heavier airframe
than primary training aircraft, Vultee's BT-13 served an important
role as a secondary-level trainer for the U.S. Army Air Corps and
Navy. Designed by Vultee's Richard Palmer, the BT-13 was adapted
from plans for a fighter aircraft. The prototype first flew in May
of 1939, and by August 300 were on order. By war's end over 11,500
BT-13s and variants would be produced, more than any other trainer.
Featuring a cantilever low-wing and fixed landing gear, the BT-13
appeared to be of all-metal construction, but it actually relied on
fabric-covered control surfaces. The powerplant was a Pratt &
Whitney R-985 radial engine capable of producing 450hp. Nicknamed
the "Vultee Vibrator" because of its tendency to shake as it
approached stall speed, the BT-13 was nevertheless beloved by
student pilots and instructors alike. Several variants of the
aircraft were built including the BT-13A and BT-15 equipped with
alternate powerplants. Roughly 2,000 BT-13As and BT-13Bs were
transferred to the Navy, which designated them as SNV-1 and SNV-2
respectively. Originally created by the U.S. Army Air Force
Training Command, this Basic Training Student Manual features the
BT-13A throughout, and describes all aspects of flight training
circa 1944. It puts you right in the cockpit of one of history's
great planes.
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