Consolidated PT-11 explained
The Consolidated Model 21 was an American two-seat training aircraft built by the Consolidated Aircraft Company. It was used by the United States Army Air Corps with the designation PT-11 and the United States Coast Guard under the designation N4Y.
Design and development
The Model 21 was an aerodynamic cleaned up version of the Model 12/PT-3, one of the distinguishing features being curved instead of angular tail surfaces. The aircraft was a single-engined biplane with fixed tailwheel landing gear and accommodation for two in open cockpits.
Operational history
Designated the PT-11 by the United States Army Air Corps it progressed through a number of trial variants but was not built in large numbers. 11 Examples of the model 21-C were built in Canada as the 21-M for Mexico but none were built for local use.
Variants
- XPT-933
(Model 21A). Prototype powered by 170hp Kinner engine, first flew February 1931.[1]
- YPT-11
Evaluation aircraft for US Army based on the Model 21A with a 165hp Continental R-545-1 engine, four built.[1]
- PT-11A
One YPT-11 was re-engined with a 175hp Curtiss R-600-1 Challenger engine, originally as Y1PT-11A, later converted to PT-11C standard.[1]
- Y1PT-11B
One YPT-11 was re-engined with a 210hp Kinner YR-720-1 engine and designated Y1PT-11B. 5 production aircraft for US Army with another for the United States Coast Guard and designated N4Y-1.[2]
- PT-11C
PT-11A re-engined with a 180hp Lycoming YR-680-1 engine. One or two converted for US Army, with 18 new-build aircraft for Colombia.[3]
- PT-11D
Production version with 220hp R-680-3 engine, originally designated Y1PT-11D. 21 new-built, plus five conversions from Y1PT11-Bs and two from Y1PT-11s.[3]
- PT-12
A version of the PT-11 with a 300hp R-985-1 engine and detailed changes, ten built later redesignated BT-7.
- Y1BT-6
One YPT-11 was re-engined with a 300hp R-985-1
- BT-6
Redesignation of Y1BT-6.
- BT-7
PT-12 aircraft redesignated.
- XN4Y-1
Evaluation aircraft for the United States Coast Guard, three built.
- N4Y-1
One YPT-11B for the USCG, later modified to the same standard as the XN4Y-1Operators
- Paraguayan Air Arm (Model 21-C).
See also
References
- Book: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
- Book: Wegg, John. General Dynamics Aircraft and their Predecessors. 1990. Putnam Aeronautical Books. London. 0-85177-833-X.
Notes and References
- Wegg 1990, p. 64.
- Wegg 1990, p. 65.
- Wegg 1990, pp. 64–65.
