T-3

The LWF T‑3 was a single‑engine primary trainer built by the short‑lived American manufacturer LWF (Lowe‑Wright‑Fouga) in the early 1920s. Developed in the aftermath of World War I, the T‑3 was conceived to meet the United States Army Air Service’s demand for a simple, rugged aircraft that could introduce novice pilots to the fundamentals of flight. First flown in the spring of 1922, the type entered limited service the following year, where it remained a staple of flight schools until more advanced trainers appeared in the late 1930s.

The T‑3 was a conventional biplane of mixed wood and fabric construction. Its 90 hp Curtiss OX‑5 V‑8 engine powered a modestly wing‑staggered wing pair, giving the aircraft a stable, forgiving handling envelope. Tandem open cockpits provided clear forward visibility for both instructor and student, while the fixed, split‑axle undercarriage with rubber‑shock struts could tolerate the rough grass fields common at the time. Simple ailerons and a balanced rudder made control inputs intuitive, a crucial attribute for primary instruction.

Although only a few dozen were built, the LWF T‑3 earned a reputation for durability and ease of maintenance, influencing the design philosophy of later trainers such as the Consolidated PT‑3. Its role in shaping early interwar pilot training programs marks it as a modest yet significant stepping stone in American aviation history.