Now this is a fantastic piece of Military Aviation history of WWII. What we have here is a canvas insignia section from the wing due to its color as yellow was the main color of the wings. The section measures approximately 28-29.50 inches and is shrink wrapped to a foam board for hanging display (inside freely) This piece features the signatures of 6 pilots/instructors (One of which was KIA, information shown in photo area) Most of the signatures and writing is legible, but there are a few that can be difficult to read due to penmanship.
(Some cracks, creases, and wear do to age and use)
BT-13 Valiant
The BT-13 was one of several simplified versions of the more complex Vultee BT-54 Basic Trainer. It was a fixed-gear, low-wing tail-dragger with a crew of two sitting in tandem. When production ended in 1944, approximately 11,537 Valiants had been built. The BT-13 was the most widely used trainer aircraft in WWII. It was flown by most American pilots in transitioning from Primary trainers like the PT-19 to more advanced trainers like the AT-6. It was more complex than the Primary trainer and required the use of two-way radio, landing flaps and a two-position, controllable-pitch prop. The BT-13 was nick-named the “Vultee Vibrator” by its pilots for its most remarkable characteristic- a tendency to shake violently as it approached stall speed. After WWII most Valiants were scrapped but a few were sold to private owners. Today less than 50 are still airworthy.
