VULTEE BT-13/15 SNV-1 VALIANT

Titles: Vultee BT-13/15 Valiant No’s 1 to 3

In 1938 the USAAF issued a requirement for a new advanced trainer which included the promise of substantial orders. Vultee adapted the design of a fighter it had been working on which resulted in the V.51 prototype. This prototype used a 600 hp R-1340 engine, but was unsuccessful in winning the contract which was won by North American with their Texan.

Vultee then produced a simplified version, the V.54 with a 450 hp R-985 engine and fixed undercarriage. The USAAF ordered this aircraft as the BT-13, the first of a family of which over 11,500 were eventually built. The BT-15 used the Wright R-975 engine due to a shortage of the P & W engine. The BT-13 series was the basic trainer flown by most USAAF and USN trainee pilots during WW2, being the second phase of the three phase program. It was nicknamed the Vibrator due to its tendency to shake violently when approaching the stall.

We offer three titles which include manufacturer’s and USAAF flight manuals, a pilot training manual and a maintenance manual for the Vultee Valiant series. The first title covers the BT-15 variants, the second title covers the BT-13 SNV series, and the third includes a manufacturer’s post-war manual covering all variants and a USAAF Pilot Training Manual. The files have been scanned from the original flight manuals and retain any colour pages. Each title is US$9.95.