Fairchild PT Series for Sale — The Primary Trainer That Won the War
The Fairchild PT-19, PT-23, and PT-26 Cornell series holds an extraordinary place in American military aviation history — these were the primary trainers that taught the majority of US Army Air Forces pilots to fly during World War II. At the peak of the wartime training program, Fairchild PT variants were operating at airfields across the United States, Canada, and the British Commonwealth in numbers that staggers the modern imagination: over 6,000 examples of the PT-19/23/26 family were built, introducing tens of thousands of young men to the fundamentals of military aviation. The aircraft that survived their wartime service and postwar years continue to serve as beloved collector and warbird aircraft that connect their owners directly to the most consequential aviation training program in history.
PT Series Variants
- PT-19 Cornell — Original production variant with Ranger L-440 inline engine, open tandem cockpit, low-wing monoplane configuration. The aircraft that established the family's reputation for effective primary training.
- PT-23 — Continental R-670 radial engine variant developed when Ranger engine production could not keep pace with wartime demand
- PT-26 Cornell — Enclosed cockpit variant developed for Canadian and British Commonwealth training in cold-weather conditions, with heated canopy to make winter training practical
Find Your Fairchild PT on Airplane Trade
Browse Fairchild PT-19, PT-23, and PT-26 Cornell aircraft for sale on Airplane Trade from verified sellers worldwide. WWII primary trainers with complete restoration and engine documentation — connect with sellers who appreciate these important pieces of American military aviation heritage.