BT-13 s/n 41-11538

jdeters79 · **Joined:** Sun Mar 22, 2015 2:20 pm **Posts:** 146

marine air wrote:

Hey guys, have a BT-13 question. Chuck Yeager and Bob Hoover mentioned in their books about BT-13s. Apparently post war at Muroc Army Airfield there was one or more BT-13’svused as hacks or general purposes like flight currency.
Has anyone ever seen pictures of these NACA/ NASA BT’s and what their paint scheme might have been?

Here is a photo of a NACA SNV, dated 1944.

jdeters79 · **Joined:** Sun Mar 22, 2015 2:20 pm **Posts:** 146

marine air wrote:

Hey guys, have a BT-13 question. Chuck Yeager and Bob Hoover mentioned in their books about BT-13s. Apparently post war at Muroc Army Airfield there was one or more BT-13’svused as hacks or general purposes like flight currency.
Has anyone ever seen pictures of these NACA/ NASA BT’s and what their paint scheme might have been?

This document has a partial photo of a BT-13 on the dedication page near the beginning of the book, and a full photo on page 68 (figure 20).

https://history.nasa.gov/monograph26.pdf

Chris Brame · **Posted:** Tue Mar 19, 2019 4:57 pm

jdeters79 wrote:

This document has a partial photo of a BT-13 on the dedication page near the beginning of the book, and a full photo on page 68 (figure 20).

If that's N62644, looks like it's a survivor (although it didn't keep the dorsal fin):
http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier ... rial=29505
Odd that the photo is dated 1944 but it doesn't have an "NC" registration.

marine air · **Posted:** Tue Mar 19, 2019 9:15 pm

Thanks for posting pics. Thought it would’ve had the yellow band on the tail and NACA logo. Looks more like a civilian paint scheme or flying club type of paint scheme.

Also, while a total guess, maybe the striping was red,blue, and white. A poputheme so soon after World War II.

jdeters79 · **Joined:** Sun Mar 22, 2015 2:20 pm **Posts:** 146

Chris Brame wrote:

If that's N62644, looks like it's a survivor (although it didn't keep the dorsal fin):
http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier ... rial=29505
Odd that the photo is dated 1944 but it doesn't have an "NC" registration.

Interesting.

Looking closer at the photo in the book, it appears that it had some sort of shorter/clipped wing tips as well.

The TCDS for the BT-13 shows a "wing tip modification" from the "Clover Clip Company". Wonder if the photo is of that mod?

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/37b09588990dd4a58525673e005ab218/$FILE/A-2-571.pdf

jdeters79 · **Joined:** Sun Mar 22, 2015 2:20 pm **Posts:** 146

marine air wrote:

Thanks for posting pics. Thought it would’ve had the yellow band on the tail and NACA logo. Looks more like a civilian paint scheme or flying club type of paint scheme.

Also, while a total guess, maybe the striping was red,blue, and white. A poputheme so soon after World War II.

May have been civilian owned and on lease/contract to the test pilot school. This is a relatively common practice today.

jdeters79 · **Joined:** Sun Mar 22, 2015 2:20 pm **Posts:** 146

Back to the original topic. 41-11538 almost ready for paint.

https://www.facebook.com/CommemorativeAirForceMinnesotaWing/posts/10156877840073567

Remnants of the original yellow paint on the wing can be seen on the main landing gear attach fitting in this photo;

jdeters79 · **Joined:** Sun Mar 22, 2015 2:20 pm **Posts:** 146

A few more recent pictures of the MN Wing BT-13 progress to return her to her original Greenville colors/markings as described earlier in this thread.

https://www.facebook.com/CommemorativeAirForceMinnesotaWing/posts/10156995695193567:0

https://www.facebook.com/CommemorativeAirForceMinnesotaWing/posts/10157068936428567

https://www.facebook.com/CommemorativeAirForceMinnesotaWing/posts/10157104026633567

Scott Rose · **Posted:** Sun Jun 09, 2019 3:06 pm

Looks Amazing!
:drink3:

jdeters79 · **Joined:** Sun Mar 22, 2015 2:20 pm **Posts:** 146

A major piece of returning her to her original livery. 'GR104' stencil in place with scuffing of paint in preparation for white fuselage code to be sprayed.

https://www.facebook.com/CommemorativeAirForceMinnesotaWing/posts/10157148265783567

jdeters79 · **Joined:** Sun Mar 22, 2015 2:20 pm **Posts:** 146

'U.S. ARMY' stencil applied on the lower wing skin (has subsequently been painted). Note the 'GR104' on the fuselage, the result of the previously discussed research in this thread.

https://www.facebook.com/CommemorativeAirForceMinnesotaWing/posts/10157195282253567:0

jdeters79 · **Joined:** Sun Mar 22, 2015 2:20 pm **Posts:** 146

https://www.facebook.com/CommemorativeAirForceMinnesotaWing/posts/10157225695068567

jdeters79 · **Joined:** Sun Mar 22, 2015 2:20 pm **Posts:** 146

A video update providing a look at the history of the airplane and some of the research conducted.

jdeters79 · **Joined:** Sun Mar 22, 2015 2:20 pm **Posts:** 146

I'm happy to report the CAF MN Wing BT-13 is gracing the skies once again.

For the Facebook users out there, video of the return to service flight here (flown by Mark Novak);

https://www.facebook.com/CommemorativeA ... 554598477/

A few photos from follow on training/pilot proficiency flights;

AG pilot · **Joined:** Sat Sep 24, 2011 9:13 am **Posts:** 532

Looks like a real beauty!

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BT-13 s/n 41-11538

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