BT-9

The BT‑9 was the first basic trainer produced by North American Aviation for the United States Army Air Corps, entering service in 1936. Developed from the NA‑16 prototype, the aircraft featured a low‑wing monoplane layout, all‑metal construction and a fixed tailwheel undercarriage. Powered by a 220‑horse‑power Wright R‑975 radial engine, the BT‑9 could reach 165 mph and offered a modest 630‑foot‑pound of climb performance, adequate for teaching novice pilots the fundamentals of flight, navigation and formation handling. Its two‑seat, tandem cockpit was equipped with dual controls and a simple instrument panel, allowing instructors to supervise trainees safely. Although quickly superseded by the more powerful BT‑12 and later the advanced AT‑6 Texan, the BT‑9 played a vital role in transitioning the Army Air Corps from biplane trainers to modern monoplane platforms. By standardizing cockpit layout and maintenance procedures, it helped streamline pilot training curricula on the eve of World II, laying the groundwork for the prolific trainer lineage that would produce thousands of combat‑ready aviators. Approximately 650 BT‑9s were built before production shifted to its successors, and several surviving examples are displayed in museums, underscoring its enduring place in American training heritage.