Renovated with passion
RESTORATION
Cradle of Heroes
1943 CORNELL TRAINING PLANE
This Fairchild Cornell MKII (10890) was built by Fleet Aircraft Company of Canada. This aircraft was stationed at No. 19 Elementary Flying Training School, Manitoba Canada. As the Second World War advanced, there was a need for a more advanced trainer.
It was one of a handful of primary trainer designs that were the first stop on a cadet's way to becoming a combat pilot. Inexpensive, simple to maintain and, most of all, easy to fly, the PT 26 truly lived up to its nickname the "Cradle of Heroes." The PT-26 was designed out of a need for a cold weather primary trainer.
Essentially a PT-19, the PT-26 has a canopy, larger engine, larger electrical system, better instrumentation and oil dilution for easier starting in cold weather.
Fleet Aircraft built: 1,057 PT26s
Fairchild build: 620.
There are approximately 200 of the PT-19, PT-23 and PT-26 varieties still flying.
PT-26 Fairchild Cornell MKII
Dedication
This Cornell is dedicated to Royal Air Force, Flight Lieutenant Richard E. Boyd. As war broke out in Europe Richard entered the RAF in 1941. As a young RAF cadet, Richard boarded a ship to the U.S. to complete his training. The skies over Britain were just too dangerous.
As part of the Arnold Scheme, his journey to the America’s took him thru Halifax Nova Scotia, Moncton and Toronto, Canada, Detroit and on to Albany Georgia. Richard stood out among his classmates and completed his training watching many of his mates’ wash out.
Successfully graduating in late 1942, anxious to get into the fight for Britain, Richard experienced a ‘detour’. This Brit had been selected to remain in the U.S. and help train pilots. America was in the fight and desperately needed trained pilots. As part of the Arnold Scheme, Flt. Lt. Richard Boyd instructed RAF and American pilots. Most of 1943 was spent instructing throughout Texas.
Finally, the return to England dropped Flt. Lt. Boyd right into the war over Europe 1944. Richard ultimately went on to fly 33 bombing missions for the RAF, flying the AVRO Lancaster bomber as member of 115 Squadron flight and 195 Squadron.
This Cornell MKII is dedicated to Flight Lt.
Richard E. Boyd. DFC and his Gallant Crew
Get In Touch
Owner: Timothy Trimble
Restoration Team: Mark Denest and team at MD Aero