Consolidated PT-11

The Consolidated Model 21 was an American two-seat training aircraft built by the Consolidated Aircraft Company. It was used by the United States Army Air Corps with the designation PT-11 and the United States Coast Guard under the designation N4Y

Development

The Model 21 was an aerodynamic cleaned up version of the Model 12/PT-3, one of the distinguishing features was curved instead of angular tail surfaces. The aircraft was a single-engined biplane with fixed tailwheel landing gear and accommodation for two in open cockpits. Designated the PT-11 by the United States Army Air Corps it progressed through a number of trial variants but was not built in large numbers. 11 Examples of the model 21-C were built in Canada as the 21-M for Mexico but none were built for local use.

Variants

YPT-11

Evaluation aircraft based on the commercial Model 21 with a 165hp R-540-1 engine, four built.

PT-11A

One YPT-11 was re-engined with a 175hp R-600-1 engine, originally as Y1PT-11A, later converted to PT-11C standard.

Y1PT-11B

One YPT-11 was re-engined with a 170hp YR-720-1 engine and designated YPT-11B. Another aircraft was diverted to the United States Coast Guard and designated N4Y-1.

PT-11B

Production version of the YPT-11 with a 210hp R-720-1 engine, five built

PT-11C

One PT-11A re-engined with a 180hp YR-680-1 engine.

PT-11D

Production version with 200hp R-680-3 engine, 21 built.

PT-12

A version of the PT-11 with a 300hp R-985-1 engine and detailed changes, ten built later re-designated BT-7.

BT-6

One YPT-11 was re-engined with a 300hp R-985-1.

BT-7

PT-12 aircraft re-designated.

XN4Y-1

Evaluation aircraft for the United States Coast Guard, three built.

N4Y-1

One YPT-11B for the USCG, later modified to the same standard as the XN4Y-1

Operators

 United States

• United States Army Air Corps
• United States Coast Guard

 Colombia

• Colombian Air Force (PT-11C).

 Paraguay

• Paraguayan Air Arm (Model 21-C).

 Mexico

• Mexican Air Force (Model 21-M).

Specifications (PT-11D)

Data from "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985)" Orbis Publishing

General characteristics

• Crew: Two
• Length: 26 ft 11 in (8.20 m)
• Wingspan: 31 ft 7 in (9.63 m)
• Height: 9 ft 8 in (2.95 m)
• Wing area: 280 ft² (26.01 m²)
• Empty weight: 1,918 lb (870 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 2,585 lb (1173 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming R-680A radial piston, 200 hp (149 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 118 mph (190 km/h)
• Service ceiling: 13,700 ft (4175 m)

See also

• Consolidated PT-3

References

• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.