VULTEE ​BT-13 VALIANT

Vultee BT-13 Valiant, Col. Greg Mahler

​An American basic trainer flown by most student pilots during World War II. It was the second phase of the three phase training program for pilots. After primary training, the student pilot moved to the more complex Vultee for basic flight training. The BT-13 had larger engine and was faster and heavier than the primary trainers. It required the student pilot to use two way radio and to operate landing flaps and a two-position variable pitch propeller. A variant is the BT-15. 


BT-13 Facts
Crew: two, student and instructor 

Length: 28 ft 10 in 

Wingspan: 42 ft 0 in 

Height: 9 ft 1 in 

Empty weight: 2,976 lb 

Loaded weight: 3,991 lb 

Engine: 1 x P & W R-985, 450 hp 

Maximum speed: 180 mph 

Cruise Speed: 135 mph 

Stall speed: 70 mph 

Range: 725 miles 

Service ceiling: 21,650 ft