Vultee Vibrators
Here’s a couple of resin kits I built few years ago. The SNV-1 is by Planet Models, the USAAC BT-13 is from Lone Star Models. Both are 1:48.
There were three Vultee trainer designs that shared their basic engineering with the P-66 Vanguard fighter design. The three prototypes were similar in appearance but were distinctly differ from each other in purpose and performance and all made their first flights in the spring and summer of 1939.
On March 24 the Vultee BC-51 advanced trainer was first to fly, but lost out to the North American AT-6. The Air Corps did accept the BC-51 after some upgrades and redesignated BC-3 (for Basic Trainer).
On June 9 the Vultee model 54 advanced trainer first flew with a 450 hp Wright R-975, later replaced with a Pratt & Whitney R-1340 of 600 hp.
On July 28 the model 54A made it’s first flight. It was similar to the model 54 except for it’s fixed landing gear and P&W R-985 engine, and in August it was selected by the USAAC for volume production and designated BT-13 and was the basic trainer flown by most pilots after primary training in trainers like the PT-13, PT-17, PT-19, and others during WWII.
The BT-13A dispensed with the landing gear fairings. Due to demand for this aircraft and others using the P&W R-985, some were equipped with the 450 hp Wright R-975 engine and were designated BT-15.
The U.S. Navy adopted the BT-13A as it’s main basic trainer and designated it the SNV-1 for use by the Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard. 650 BT-13Bs were transferred from The USAAC to the Navy and designated SNV-2s. The only difference was a 24-volt electrical system
Over 11,500 Valiants were produced, outnumbering all other basic trainer types produced.
At the end of the war most of the 5137 Valiants sold by the War Assets Administration and other agencies were sold for $450.00, or $1.00 per HP. Some are still flying today as restored warbirds. Many were sold to crop-dusters who only wanted the R-975 and R-985 engines to install on surplus PT-17s and N3Ns and such.
Both are excellent, Chas! Thanks for the historical data.
Great job on both builds Chas!
If anyone is interested in seeing the Vultee "Vibrator," there is a Vultee BT-13 at the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum, Cape May County Airport, Wildwood, NJ.
Nice work on these. You obviously put a lot of effort into them.
Very nice result on both, Chas @chasbunch
Thanks for sharing the background as well.
Dunno what's better, your models or your photography. Outstanding on both.
Great article and photography. Given the number of airframes built, the Vultee Vibrator is a forgotten aircraft. Yet, I still see T-6s at air shows and practicing formation flying for memorial flights for our veterans. Chas (@chasbunch), your builds are good reminders of a forgotten past, and the modeling is professional.
That's some great modeling and wonderful photography too, Chas @chasbunch! 🤩
Nice work Chas and cool pics!
Rod
Excellent models - well done!
Very nice set of excellent pieces of work. Beautiful pictures too!
Another beautiful work from your workshop. You did a great job.