PT-19 Cornell

Fairchild PT-19 Cornell airplane model. Built to meet a 1939 Air Corps request for a new primary trainer, nearly 7,800 PT-19 derivatives were produced between 1940 and 1944. Pilot instructors before World War II had voiced the need for a more challenging trainer, to ease student transitions from primary to advanced flight instruction. It was felt that this approach would better prepare students to fly the high-performance fighters then in development, such as the P-38, P-47 and P-51.

As the U.S. geared up for war in 1941, PT-19 demand outstripped supply and forced Fairchild to contract with other companies to produce the plane, including the Aeronca, St. Louis and later Howard Aircraft Corporations. The definitive PT-19A featured a new engine, but was otherwise similar to the PT-19, and orders for over 3,500 were filled. Another 917 PT-19Bs, featuring instruments for blind flying training, were also built.

Mahogany Wood. Scale: 1/24. Wingspan 18 inches, Length 14 inches.