PT-26 CORNELL

Help keep these warbirds flying.
The Indiana Wing is the proud owner of a PT-26 Cornell, which was used during the period of WWII as a primary trainer with both the USAAF and the RCAF.  N60535 was manufactured by Fleet Aircraft, Ltd., Fort Erie, Canada in December of 1944.  After the war it passed through various owners until the Indiana Wing took possession of the aircraft in 1981.  In 1986 the Cornell was removed from service for a total restoration, and in October of 1999 the PT-26 again took flight from the Mt. Comfort airport just east of Indianapolis where she had been undergoing restoration for the past 12 years.  

PT-26 Facts
  • Mission:  WWII Primary Trainer (PT)
  • Armaments:  None
  • Designed by:  Fairchild Aircraft, Hagerstown, Maryland
  • Manufactured under contract by :  Fleet Aircraft, Ltd, Fort Erie, Canada
  • USAAF/RCAF Model:  Cornell II
  • Manufacturer's Serial No.:  FX-146
  • Powerplant:  Ranger, inline inverted 6 cylinder, 200HP
  • Original Design and Assembly: 1939
  • N060535 Assembly:  December 1944
  • Total PT-26's manufactured:  1,727
  • Estimated Number Currently flying:  76 (4.4% of original produced)   

Construction
  • Two-place, tandem seating
  • Cantilever low-wing monoplane with fabric covered, welded steel tube fuselage
  • Fixed landing gear
  • Plywood-covered wood center section, outer wing panels and tail assembly
  • Length:  27'11"
  • Wing Span:  36'
  • Height:  7'6"
  • Max Gross weight:  2740 lbs.
  • Empty weight:  2022 lbs.

Performance
  • Takeoff speed:  60-65 mph
  • Best climb Speed:  80 mph
  • Best Glide Speed:  80 mph
  • Best Rate of Climb:  870 fpm
  • Max. Air Speed:  126 mph
  • Cruise Speed @ 1815 RPM@ 3,000 ft:  103/108 mph IAS/TAS
  • Maximum Diving Speed:  191 mph ("Old" Pilots say, Don't try it!")
  • Maximum Flaps Extend Speed: 95 mph
  • Stall Speed: 61 mph
  • Service Ceiling: 13,500 ft.
  • Fuel use at Cruise: 13.5 gph
  • Fuel Capacity:  49 gals. total; 45 gals. usable
  • Range with 40 gallons:  220-320 statute miles​

Pilots & Sponsors
  • Nick Boland
  • Bruce Cooper
  • Randy DeWitt
  • Greg Peterson
  • Dennis Schell
  • Tom Spielmann
  • Laura Stants
  • Mark Van Zant
  • Rick Lyons