PT-26 Cornell
PT-26 Cornells were flown at many of the Elementary Flying Training Schools (EFTS) of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, where they replaced the Fleet Finch and the de Havilland Tiger Moth biplane trainers.
The PT-26 was one of a family of primary trainers developed by Fairchild during World War II. Its lineage began with the PT-19, an open-cockpit, low-wing monoplane first flown in 1939, which was selected as a primary trainer by the United States Army Air Forces. Recognizing the need for a more versatile trainer for cold-weather climates, Fairchild designed the PT-26 variant with an enclosed cockpit, making it ideal for winter flying conditions in Canada.
Specifications
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Number Built: 2800+
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Year Produced: 1943
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Manufacturer: Fleet, under license by Fairchild
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Engine: Ranger 6-440-C5, 200 hp
Performance
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Maximum Speed: 191 mph
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Cruising Speed: 101 mph
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Service Ceiling: 13,200 ft
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Fuel Capacity: 49 US Gal
History of CF-CVT - FV720
Built in 1943 as a Cornell II, FV720 entered service with the RCAF in 1944, joining the fleet of trainers that supported the final years of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. With the war ending soon after, the aircraft was released to civilian use and in 1946 was donated to the Brandon Flying Club, where it continued its training role during the postwar surge in recreational flying. In 1960, CF-CVT moved to Fredericton, New Brunswick, beginning a long civilian life that saw it preserved rather than retired. It joined the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in 2001, then relocated to Fort Erie in 2006. From 2013 to 2014, it flew with Vintage Wings of Canada, adding to their collection of airworthy Canadian trainers. Since 2014, CF-CVT has been part of the Edenvale Classic Aircraft Foundation, where it continues to fly regularly as a well-kept example of Canada’s wartime training aircraft.
RCAF Service
Under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), the Royal Canadian Air Force required a modern primary trainer that could be produced domestically. Fairchild Aircraft Ltd. of Canada, based in Longueuil, Quebec, was licensed to build the PT-26, known in Canadian service as the Cornell. More than 2,800 Cornells were built in Canada, many of which were used at Elementary Flying Training Schools across the country.
The PT-26 was rugged, reliable, and forgiving in flight, with a 200 hp Ranger engine that provided good performance and handling characteristics for student pilots. Unlike earlier biplane trainers, the monoplane design more closely resembled the operational aircraft pilots would eventually fly in combat. Its cabin heater enclosed canopy made it well-suited to the harsh Canadian winters.
Pilot's Notes
In one word: Solid. The Cornell flies like a train on rails as a result of using push rods instead of the more common cable-pulley flight control system.
This gives the Cornell a military feel, and the ability to fly straight as an arrow, lock in your crosswind inputs, and impress whoever is brave enough to hop in the backseat with little effort.
When you're ready to have fun, simple open the throttle, point the nose down, and build up speed. At 140 mph she comes alive, and has enough energy to really move around!
-Mitchell Phillips, ECAF Pilot
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