Ryan PT-22 Recruit

The Ryan PT‑22 Recruit was the primary trainer aircraft that Ryan Aeronautical produced for the United States Army Air Corps during the early 1940s. Introduced in 1939 as a low‑cost, single‑engine monoplane, the PT‑22 evolved from the civilian Ryan ST and was quickly adapted to meet the military’s demand for a sturdy, easy‑to‑maintain trainer capable of preparing pilots for more powerful combat types. Powered by a 260‑hp Menasco B‑6S inverted‑inline engine, the aircraft featured a conventional steel‑tube fuselage, fabric‑covered wings, and a fixed tailwheel undercarriage. Its open cockpit offered excellent visibility, while the simple control layout provided a forgiving learning environment for novice aviators. Over 1,000 units were built, many serving at flight schools across the United States and in Allied nations under Lend‑Lease agreements. The PT‑22’s robustness and economical operation made it a workhorse during the rapid expansion of pilot training programs preceding and during World War II. Though it was soon superseded by more advanced trainers such as the Boeing PT‑17 and the North American AT‑6, the Ryan PT‑22 Recruit remains a symbol of the United States’ effort to scale up its air forces and a beloved vintage aircraft among historic‑flight enthusiasts.

Ryan Aeronautical

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