Help Save the Tuskegee BT-13 Trainer!

[PHague]

The National Capital Squadron of the C.A.F. needs your help!

In March our BT-13 “Tuskegee Trainer” experienced a loss of power and vibration in flight but the pilot was able to make a safe power off landing. Examination of the engine determined that severe internal damage had occurred and requires a $70,000 overhaul.

The NCS operates the Vultee BT-13 “Valiant” in the appropriate markings to represent a trainer based at Tuskegee Army Air Field (TAAF) during WWII in honor of Squadron and Commemorative Air Force Honorary Members, General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., USAF (Ret) combat leader of the Tuskegee Airmen, and Colonel Charles E. McGee, USAF (Ret) also a leading Tuskegee Airman. The buzz number for the trainer, TU-70, represents a BT-13 that Colonel McGee flew the most (over 20 times) during training in 1943.

Squadron members are working hard to raise the funds for the repair on our own and we are negotiation with several corporate and private sponsors to help raise funds as well. We need your help in raising the funds to return this historic trainer to the air!
You can donate by going to our Fundrazr.com campaign and donate using a credit card or PayPal.

Please watch this short video showing our campaign!

https://vimeo.com/96244773

And please visit your Fundrazr.com campaign website!

https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/cm2L3

With you help we can get this important historical aircraft back into the air to tell the story of the Tuskegee Airmen!

As an added incentive a $250 donation earns an autographed copy of Colonel McGee’s autobiography “Tuskegee Airmen”!! (Limited copies available!)

[Dan Jones]

Covington's exchange price on an R985 is $38 000. $70 K for an overhaul is a little out of line.

Dan

[PHague]

Our BT-13 is equipped with a Pratt & Whitney R-1340. This is the same engine on the T-6! The crankshaft was damaged as were 5 of the cylinders and pistons. This is why the cost is higher than that of a R-985; the engine originally installed on the BT -13, 13A and 13 B

The original owner of the airplane made the conversion long ago!

Peter

Last edited by PHague on Tue May 27, 2014 12:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[PHague]

Sorry! Duplicate post!

[Dan Jones]

Their prices on a -1340 are $41K exchange, $61K outright. And their reputation for quality is about as good as it gets. When I get my A model done (-985) we'll have to drag!

Dan

[PHague]

I wish it was that amount versus the $70,000! I believe there was other damage doe as well. As for the drag race: your on!

Peter.

[fiftycal]

how does caf work exactly? ive seen a few of these, it seems like some guy owns a warbird, displays it at a few shows, gets paid to take people for rides, but everyone else pays for the maintenance/insurance/fuel/hangerage? if so im going to make a caf down under, sounds like my kinda deal

[PHague]

Thanks to a generous contributor our BT-13 campaign now has over $1600 !!

[avenger2504]

how does caf work exactly? ive seen a few of these, it seems like some guy owns a warbird, displays it at a few shows, gets paid to take people for rides, but everyone else pays for the maintenance/insurance/fuel/hangerage? if so im going to make a caf down under, sounds like my kinda deal

Thats more like the Warbirds NZ and Australia setup. The CAF operates differently where if I recall the CAF own the aircraft and the various squadrons get to fundraise to restore and operate them. As for CAF downunder there is a New Zealand based squadron (they have a Harvard, A Beech 18 and a Cub) but they have not been active for various reasons.

[Enemy Ace]

was this an actually tuskegee trainer or did they paint it that way jumping on the red tails popularity / PC bandwagon?

[PHague]

Our BT-13 is painted in the colors of an airplane that Tuskegee Airmen, Colonel McGee, flew the most while he was in training.

Check out our video to see the story.

https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/cm2L3

Peter

[AURktman]

I sent in a small donation (just finished my degree, not making the big bucks yet) but I forwarded it to all of the members of the Tuskegee University Aerospace Science Engineering Department. It should generate a serious interest by the TU Aerospace Alumni Association.

[fiftycal]

was this an actually tuskegee trainer or did they paint it that way jumping on the red tails popularity / PC bandwagon?

[Stephan Wilkinson]

If you read between the lines, it's a BT-13 that never was flown by any Tuskegee Airmen but has been "painted to represent" one that was based at Moton Field in Tuskegee, Alabama. Particularly interests me because I'm on the verge of buying an actual Tuskegee Airmen trainer to restore, as soon as I can get full verification of its provenance. (I'm a member of the Maj. Gen. Irene Trowell-Harris Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, at SWF.)