PT-3

The Consolidated PT‑3 was a single‑engine, two‑seat biplane trainer developed in the early 1920s by Consolidated Aircraft as the final evolution of the company’s PT‑1/PT‑2 series. First flown in 1922, the PT‑3 incorporated a more powerful 220‑hp Wright J‑5 Whirlwind radial engine, a larger wing area and refined landing gear that improved stability on grass fields. Its fabric‑covered wooden structure and adjustable rear seat allowed an instructor and student to share flight controls, making it ideal for basic flight instruction and aerobatic practice. Over 500 units were delivered to the United States Army Air Service and to several foreign air arms, where the aircraft proved reliable in harsh environments and low‑maintenance operations. The PT‑3’s straightforward design, low operating costs and forgiving handling characteristics helped standardize pilot training protocols during the inter‑war period, bridging the gap between World War I open‑circuit trainers and the more advanced monoplane trainers of the 1930s. Its legacy endured as many surviving airframes were later converted to sport and aerobatic aircraft, influencing subsequent U.S. training biplanes such as the Stearman PT‑17. Today, only a handful of restored PT‑3s exist in museums, serving as tangible reminders of early American flight training.