BT-13 Valiant

BT-13s were seen all around North Texas during World War Two as a pilot training aircraft.

Warbird Overview

BT-13s were seen all around North Texas during World War II as pilot training aircraft.

ABOUT THE BT-13 VALIANT

The Vultee BT-13 was the basic trainer flown by most American pilots during World War II. It was used in the second phase of the three-phase training program for pilots. After primary training in PT-13, PT-17, or PT-19 trainers, the student pilot moved to the more complex Vultee for continued flight training. The BT-13 had a more powerful engine and was faster and heavier than the primary trainer. It required the student pilot to use two-way radio communications with the ground and to operate landing flaps and a two-position Hamilton Standard controllable-pitch propeller. Its pilots nicknamed it the “Vultee Vibrator.”

BT-13 production run outnumbered all other Basic Trainer (BT) types produced. More than 9,500 were produced. They were seen all over North Texas during World War Two training pilots.

  • Fact #1

    This Vultee SNV-1 is a Navy version of the BT-13 Valiant.

  • Fact #2

    This aircraft was a basic trainer during WWII and served at NAS Hensley Field in Dallas.

  • Fact #3

    This aircraft is owned by the City of Fort Worth.

Manufacturer: Vultee Aircraft

Crew: 2

Length: 28 ft 10 in 

Wingspan: 42 ft 0 in 

Height: 11 ft 6 in 

Wing area: 239 sq ft 

Empty weight: 3,375 lb 

Gross weight: 4,496 lb 

Powerplant: 1 450 ho Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1 nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engine

Propellers: 2-bladed Hamilton-Standard 2-position

Performance

Maximum speed: 180 mph 

Range: 725 mi 

Service ceiling: 21,650 ft 

Time to altitude: 9.2 minutes to 10,000 ft

What we thought was a BT-13 was actually the US Navy version – the SNV-1. Serial number 34373 was accepted by the US Navy on 5/24/1943 to Cuddihy Field in Corpus Christi, Texas, and then to NAS Dallas. It was stricken from service on October 31, 1944. The history of this aircraft is unknown from 1944 until the 1980s. It was at North Texas State University (now University of North Texas) in Denton and was part of their Reserve Officer Training Program (ROTC). The program was phased out and the aircraft was given to the Southwest Aerospace Museum in November 1986. It was brought to Fort Worth and displayed at SAM. After SAM closed, the aircraft was restored by the B-36 restoration group. The aircraft is on loan from the City of Fort Worth via the Historic Aviation Preservation Project (HAPP).

Valiant WW II trainer is due for vertical and horizontal tail covering. Exposed wing will be closed up with plexiglass for viewing. New tires will be added, and a freshen up wash to luster up some fading to be done. Looking for sponsorship on this aircraft.

Note: Scheduling is always a moving target depending on weather and workload. All schedules are subject to changes.

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