NAA 64 P-2

The North American Aviation NAA‑64 P‑2 was a low‑wing, single‑engine monoplane developed in the late 1930s as an advanced trainer for the United States Army Air Corps. Originating from the NA‑64 “Patriot” prototype, the aircraft entered production in 1939 and was quickly adopted for pilot‑conversion training, bridging the gap between basic trainers such as the BT‑13 and front‑line combat types. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney R‑1340‑AN3 radial engine delivering 600 hp, the P‑2 featured a retractable main‑gear, all‑metal stressed‑skin construction, and a semi‑enclosed cockpit with dual controls and a modest armament provision of a single .30‑caliber machine gun for gunnery practice. Its generous wing area and forgiving handling made it an ideal platform for teaching formation flying, instrument procedures, and basic combat tactics. Over 1,200 examples were built, many of which served overseas under Lend‑Lease agreements, seeing service with the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Brazilian Air Force. The NAA‑64 P‑2’s reliability and straightforward maintenance earned it a reputation as a workhorse of pre‑World‑War II pilot training, influencing the design philosophy of later North American trainers such as the famed AT‑6 Texan.