BT-13A Aircraft Restoration Sponsor Group
The BT-13A was one of several simplified versions of the more complex Vultee BT-54 Basic Trainer. It was a fixed-gear, low-wing tail-dragger with a crew of two sitting in tandom. It was powered by either the Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1 or the Wright R-975-11. Both engines delivered 450 hp. When production ended in 1944, approximately 11,537 Valiants had been built. The BT-13 was the most widely used trainer aircraft in WWII. It was flown by most American pilots in transitioning from Primary... Read more
Aircraft Restoration Sponsor Group
San Marcos Regional Airport, San Marcos, TX
The BT-13A was one of several simplified versions of the more complex Vultee BT-54 Basic Trainer. It was a fixed-gear, low-wing tail-dragger with a crew of two sitting in tandom. It was powered by either the Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1 or the Wright R-975-11. Both engines delivered 450 hp. When production ended in 1944, approximately 11,537 Valiants had been built. The BT-13 was the most widely used trainer aircraft in WWII. It was flown by most American pilots in transitioning from Primary trainers like the PT-19 to more advanced trainers like the AT-6. It was more complex than the Primary trainer and required the use of two-way radio, landing flaps and a two-position, controllable-pitch prop. The BT-13 was nick-named the "Vultee Vibrator" by its pilots for its most remarkable characteristic- a tendency to shake violently as it approached stall speed. After WWII most Valiants were scrapped but a few were sold to private owners. Today less than 50 are still airworthy and can often be seen at airshows around the country.