The BT-14 was a later development of the 440 hp Wright-powered BT-9 basic trainer used by the United States Army Air Corps. The main difference was a change in construction materials for the tail cone. The later airplane had a longer, all-metal fuselage, as opposed to the BT-9, which was fabric covered aft of the rear cockpit. The BT-14 (known to the Canadians as the “Yale”), was the sibling to a more famous design, which was to be considered one of the most successful two-place training airplanes ever to go into military service: the North American AT-6 “Texan” (Navy designation, SNJ). Other than the AT-6’s larger engine and retractable landing gear, the two airplanes were virtually identical. BT-14’s were not produced in great numbers. Consequently, they are much less likely to be found at fly-ins and airshows than are AT-6’s.
NORTH AMERICAN BT-14
