PT-26A

Fairchild PT-26A Cornell

National Warplane Museum

The Fairchild PT-26 Cornell was a key component of the Allied pilot training pipeline during World War II. Designed as a primary trainer for the U.S. and Commonwealth forces, the PT-26 offered student pilots an enclosed cockpit version of the open-cockpit PT-19, better suited for operations in colder climates like Canada.

Background

Introduced in the early 1940s, the Fairchild PT-19 series was selected as one of the primary trainers for the U.S. Army Air Forces and the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP). The PT-26 variant featured a fully enclosed canopy, allowing flight training to continue year-round in colder environments. Built in both the U.S. and Canada, PT-26 Cornells trained thousands of Allied pilots, many of whom went on to serve in every major theater of WWII.

Use & Purpose

The PT-26 served as a primary trainer, introducing new cadets to basic flight skills including takeoffs, landings, turns, stalls, and basic navigation. Its reliable inline engine and simple design made it forgiving yet challenging enough to prepare students for more advanced trainers and eventually, combat aircraft.

Museum Example

• Fairchild PT-26A Cornell (Manufacturer’s No. FC-27 / N# N1132N)

Built in 1942, this PT-26A Cornell is privately owned by a Museum member, who regularly flies the aircraft during the Museum’s active flying season. Visitors often see the Cornell flying at Museum events in the spring and summer months, providing a rare opportunity to witness one of WWII’s most important training aircraft still operating today. Its continued flying status allows the Museum to demonstrate firsthand the critical early training stages that prepared thousands of young pilots for the challenges of war.