PT-6A Consolidated
Developed by the Consolidated Aircraft Company of Buffalo New York in 1930, the PT-6A, a derivative of the Fleet Model Two, was produced as a primary training aircraft for the United States Army Air Corps. Conventional in its design, the open cockpit, fabric covered biplane was built around a fuselage frame of welded steel-tubes with duralumin ribbed wooden spar wings. Although a number of Fleet Model Two variants were used by the United States Navy and foreign air forces only 10 production PT-6As were built for the Army Air Corps. PT-6A 30-385 is the oldest surviving aircraft in our collection, known to have been assigned to March Field.
Constructed in June of 1930, the aircraft was initially assigned to the 13th School Group at March Field. Ten months later, in April 1931, March Field converted from a training facility to a fighter-bomber station. As a result, aircraft 30-385 was transferred to the Department of Commerce in Long Beach California., Three years later the aircraft was released from government service and sold into the civilian market.
PT-6A 30-385 was purchased by March Field Air Museum in December 2000 and brought home to an honored place in our collection.
| Manufacturer: | Consolidated Aircraft, Buffalo, NY | ||
| Designation: | PT-6 | ||
| Version: | A | ||
| Nickname: | |||
| Type: | Trainer (Primary) | ||
| Specifications | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Length: | 21′ 5″ | ||
| Height: | 9′ | ||
| Wingspan: | 28′ | ||
| Gross weight: | 1740 lbs | ||
| Propulsion | |||
| No. of Engines: | 1 | ||
| Powerplant: | 5 cylinder Kinner K5 radial | ||
| Performance | |||
| Range: | 350 miles | ||
| Cruise Speed: | 88 mph | ||
| Max Speed: | 105 Mph | ||
| Ceiling: | 12,200 Ft | ||
| Fuel: | 32 gallons | ||