Vultee BT-13 Valiant
Vultee Aircraft · United States · first flew 1939 · light aircraft
The Vultee BT-13 Valiant was the standard US Army Air Forces basic trainer of WWII, introducing student pilots to more powerful aircraft before progressing to advanced trainers.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.79 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- WWII US basic trainer with tandem open-framed canopy
- Fixed spatted undercarriage
- Radial engine with long-chord cowling
A large low-wing monoplane trainer with a fixed spatted undercarriage and a long greenhouse canopy over tandem cockpits; the prominent radial engine and fixed gear are the key identifiers.
Specifications
- The Vultee BT-13 Valiant has a length of 8.79 m (29 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.8 m (42 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 290 km/h (180 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 (tandem).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Accepted by the USAAF in 1939, the BT-13 trained the bulk of American WWII pilots and was produced in very large numbers. Its noisy radial engine earned it the nickname 'Vultee Vibrator' among students.
Variants
The BT-13A and BT-13B were the main variants; the BT-15 used a different engine. Navy versions were designated SNV.
Where you'll see it
Served exclusively with the USAAF and US Navy as a trainer; many survive today at airshows and in museum collections in the United States.
Related aircraft
- Vultee P-66 Vanguard
- Vultee A-31 Vengeance
- Vultee BT-15 Valiant
- Vultee Vengeance III
- Aeronca Super Chief
- Aichi E13A
- Arado Ar 199
- Bücker Bü 181 Bestmann
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.