Consolidated PT-11

Picture - Consolidated Y1PT-11

Role: Primary trainer
Manufacturer: Consolidated Aircraft Company
Introduced: 1931
Primary users: United States Army Air Corps United States Coast Guard
Number built: 30

The Consolidated Model 21 was an American two-seat training aircraft built by the Consolidated Aircraft Company. It was used by the United States Army Air Corps with the designation PT-11 and the United States Coast Guard under the designation N4Y

Development

The Model 21 was an aerodynamic cleaned up version of the Model 12/PT-3, one of the distinguishing features was curved instead of angular tail surfaces. The aircraft was a single-engined biplane with fixed tailwheel landing gear and accommodation for two in open cockpits. Designated the PT-11 by the United States Army Air Corps it progressed through a number of trial variants but was not built in.

Variants

YPT-11
Evaluation aircraft based on the commercial Model 21 with a 165hp R-540-1 engine, four built.
PT-11A
One YPT-11 was re-engined with a 175hp R-600-1 engine, originally as Y1PT-11A, later converted to PT-11C standard.
Y1PT-11B
One YPT-11 was re-engined with a 170hp YR-720-1 engine and designated YPT-11B. Another aircraft was diverted to the United States Coast Guard and designated N4Y-1.
PT-11B
Production version of the YPT-11 with a 210hp R-720-1 engine, five built
PT-11C
One PT-11A re-engined with a 180hp YR-680-1 engine.
PT-11D
Production version with 200hp R-680-3 engine, 21 built.
PT-12
A version of the PT-11 with a 300hp R-985-1 engine and detailed changes, ten built later re-designated BT-7.
BT-6
One YPT-11 was re-engined with a 300hp R-985-1.
BT-7
PT-12 aircraft re-designated.
XN4Y-1
Evaluation aircraft for the United States Coast Guard, three built.
N4Y-1
One YPT-11B for the USCG, later modified to the same standard as the XN4Y-1
Fleet Finch
Canadian built version of the N4Y (Consolidated Model 21M).

Operators

Canada

Royal Canadian Air Force

United States

United States Army Air Corps
United States Coast Guard

Colombia

Colombian Air Force (PT-11C).

Paraguay

Paraguayan Air Arm (Model 21 C).

Mexico

Mexican Air Force (Model 21M).

Specifications (PT-11D)

Data from "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985)" Orbis Publishing

General characteristics

Crew: Two
Length: 26 ft 11 in (8.20 m)
Wingspan: 31 ft 7 in (9.63 m)
Height: 9 ft 8 in (2.95 m)
Wing area: 280 ft² (26.01 m²)
Empty weight: 1,918 lb (870 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 2,585 lb (1173 kg)
Powerplant: 1x— Lycoming R-680A radial piston, 200 hp (149 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 118 mph (190 km/h)
Service ceiling: 13,700 ft (4175 m)

Consolidated PT-3

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.

Consolidated PT-11 Pictures

Living Warbirds: The best warbirds DVD series.

Source: WikiPedia