St. Louis YPT 15

Design and development

The PT-15 was a development of the "off-the-shelf" PT-1W for use by the U.S. Army Air Corps, ordered for stop-gap duty in the training of airmen in the build-up to World War II. The wings were fabric covered, but the fuselage was aluminum covered. A single Wright R-760 radial engine of 220 horsepower (160 kW) provided power.

Operational history

One prototype PT-1 crashed at Wright field trials on 23 May 1936 bearing the serial number of an older design, the St. Louis PT-35 All thirteen examples of the YPT-15 were locally assigned (as PT-15s) to Parks College Civilian Pilot Training Program. The PT-15 was the only St. Louis design ever acquired by the Army Air Corps.

Variants

XPT-15 (St. Louis Model PT-1,and PT-1W replacement prototype)

One Model PT-1W obtained for evaluation with a 235 hp Wright Whrilwind R-760ET.

YPT-15 (St. Louis Model PT-2)

13 pre-production aircraft with changes to instrumentation, 285hp Wright Whirlwind R-760E-1, and larger rudder. Later designated PT-15.

Specifications (PT-15)

Data from

General characteristics

Crew: 2 (instructor and student in tandem)

Length: 26 ft 5 in (8.05 m)

Wingspan: 33 ft 10 in (10.31 m)

Height: 9 ft 5 in (2.87 m)

Wing area: 279.9 sq ft (26.00 m²)

Empty weight: 2,059 lb (934 kg)

Gross weight: 2,766 lb (1,255 kg)

Powerplant: 1 × Wright R-760-1 Whirlwind 7-cylinder air cooled radial, 225 hp (168 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 130 mph (209 km/h; 113 kn)

Cruise speed: 116 mph (187 km/h; 101 kn) at 75% power

Range: 350 mi (304 nmi; 563 km)

Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (4,600 m)

Rate of climb: 1,000 ft/min (5.1 m/s) initial