The prototype North American NA-16 open cockpit tandem two seat trainer with a fixed tailwheel undercarriage made its first flight in 1935, and was the progenitor of a large range of derivatives which were to be the backbone of primary training for the Allies during World War 11. It was ordered into production as the BT-9 (42 built) which was powered by a 400hp(298kW) Wright and which had a maximum take-off weight of 4024lb(1826kg). The BT-9A (40 built) featured 2x 7.62mm machine guns and the BT-9B (117 built) had some minor improvements. The BT-9C (67 built) was similar to the BT-9B. All of these variants had fabric covered fuselages. The BT-14 (251 built) had a metal covered fuselage and the higher powered Wright. The BT-14A was the BT-14 re-engined with the lower powered 400hp Wright (27 converted). The NJ-1 (40 built) was the designation given to the BT-9 for service with the US Navy and powered by a 600hp(447kW) Pratt & Whitney. France took delivery of 111 BT-14’s for the French Air Force and Navy, but when the country fell in 1940 the balance of their order was delivered to the RCAF as the Yale. A small number are still airworthy.

C-FGIR                     c/n 64-2186                      USA

2 seat trainer first flown in 1937