ABOUT THE WARBIRD:

Referred to as the "Cradle of Heroes," the Fairchild PT-19 (PT designating Primary Trainer) played a very

important role during the Second World War.  It was one of a handful of primary trainer designs that

 was the first stop on a cadet's way to becoming a combat pilot.  Thousands of the PT-19 series

were rapidly integrated into the US and Commonwealth training programs, serving throughout World

War II and beyond.  Even after their retirement in the late 1940s, a substantial number found their

way onto the US civil register.  The Fairchild PT-19 was designed as a replacement for the PT-17

biplane primary trainer (the Stearman).  This aircraft offered fllight characteristics more similar to

the combat aircraft those aspiring pilots would later fly during the war.  Equipped with an inverted

inline 6 cylinder Ranger engine with 175 horespower, the aircraft had other modern design

 features like a very wide track landing gear with long suspension travel.  In its role as a primary

trainer, it performed very well, so that by 1945 production halted with about 8,000 aircraft completed.

Varients included the radial engine equipped PT-23 and the PT-26 instrument trainer with an enclosed

canopy. The British Royal Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force also had models of this type. 

This PT-19, N323CJ was built in 1943 and went through a full 11 year restoration that included an

upgrade to the 200HP Ranger engine and an electrical system.

This PT-19 is one of only 98 left in airworthy status; don't hesitate - take your flight in a piece of history!