North American BT-14
North American Aviation · United States · first flew 1938 · light aircraft
The BT-14 was a refined North American basic trainer powered by the Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior, bridging the BT-9 and the T-6 Texan in the USAAC training syllabus.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.66 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Low-wing two-seat basic trainer with fixed spatted undercarriage
- Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior radial replaced by a smaller cowling than BT-9
- Long tandem cockpit under a continuous greenhouse canopy
Very similar to BT-9; fixed spatted gear, low wing, tandem cockpit. Slightly different cowling shape around the Wasp Junior. Rounded fin and rudder.
Specifications
- The North American BT-14 has a length of 8.66 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.8 m (42 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 302 km/h (188 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Ordered in 1938, 251 BT-14s were delivered to the USAAC. The R-985 engine gave a slightly cleaner nose profile than the BT-9's R-975. The BT-14 served briefly before the superior T-6 took over primary intermediate training duties. Many were transferred to friendly nations under Lend-Lease.
Variants
BT-14 and BT-14A (Yale export derivative with different equipment); the BT-14 was essentially a Yale adapted for USAAC standards.
Where you'll see it
USAAC training command 1938–1942. Some transferred to Brazil and other nations. Quickly superseded by the AT-6.
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