AT-18

The AT‑18 was a military trainer derived from Lockheed’s Model 18 Lodestar, a twin‑engine transport that first flew in 1939. When the United States entered World War II, the Army Air Forces recognized a need for an advanced multi‑engine trainer that could prepare pilots, navigators, and bombardiers for the rapidly expanding fleet of medium bombers. Lockheed delivered a series of modified Lodestars designated AT‑18, AT‑18A, and AT‑18B, each equipped with reinforced airframes, dual‑control cockpits, and provisions for bombardier and gunnery stations. The aircraft retained the Lodestar’s all‑metal construction, 1,100‑hp Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp engines, and a maximum speed near 250 mph, offering trainees realistic performance without the cost of frontline combat types.

Key features included a ventral bomb‑bay for practice drops, a nose turret for gunner instruction, and an expanded instrumentation suite that mirrored the systems of the B‑24 Liberator and B‑25 Mitchell. Over 400 AT‑18s served in training schools across the United States and overseas, accelerating crew proficiency and contributing to the high sortie rates of Allied bomber units. Though the AT‑18 never saw combat, its role in shaping skilled aircrews cemented its place as a pivotal, if understated, chapter in wartime aviation history.

Lockheed Corporation

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