Curtiss-Wright AT-9

Advanced twin-engine trainer in the early 1940s

Overview

Curtiss United States ICAO: AT9 1941–1943

The Curtiss-Wright AT-9 was developed and produced by Curtiss-Wright Corporation as an advanced twin-engined trainer aircraft of the United States in the Second World War. It was built to have the qualities of both a single-engine trainer aircraft and a twin-engined combat fighter. The aircraft was a low-wing cantilever monoplane which first flew in 1941. It was produced from 1941 to 1943 with a total number of 792 aircraft built including prototype and AT-9A versions.

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Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × Lycoming R-680-9
Engine type
Piston
Power
2 × 295 hp · 220 kW
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
2
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
31 ft 8 in  ·  9.65 m
Tail height
9 ft 10 in  ·  3.00 m
Fuselage diameter
4 ft 11 in  ·  1.50 m
Wing span
40 ft 4 in  ·  12.29 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
6,050 lb  ·  2,750 kg
Max landing weight
—
Max payload
—
Fuel capacity
Max cruise speed
171 kt  ·  197 mph  ·  317 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
—
Range
650 nm  ·  750 mi  ·  1,200 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
19,000 ft  ·  5,800 m
Rate of climb
1,175 ft/min  ·  6 m/s
Takeoff distance
—
Landing distance
—
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Curtiss AT-9 Jeep/Fledgling at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. 2

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Operational Context

The American manufacturing company Curtiss-Wright developed the CW-25 prototype with fuselage and tail surfaces covered in fabric upon anticipating the need for a high-performing aircraft powered by twin engines. The prototype was built with the characteristics of a light bomber in taking off and landing.

In 1941, it took to the air for the first time. In 1942, the production variant designated as AT-9 entered into service. The manufacturing company gave the aircraft the name  “Fledgling”; however, it became more popular with the United States Army Air Forces designation “Jeep”. The AT-9A version was powered by two Lycoming R-680-11 radial engines and equipped with a modified hydraulic system. The Jeep was produced until 1943 with a total number of 792 aircraft built including prototype and AT-9A versions.

The AT-9 is a two-crew production version with an external length of 9.65 meters, an external height of 2.4 meters, and a fuselage diameter of 1.5 meters. It has a tail height of 3 meters and a wheelbase of 6.6 meters. The wingspan is 12.29 meters and the wing area is 21.6 square meters. The aircraft has an empty weight of 2,038 kg and a gross weight of 2,749 kg.

The AT-9 is powered by twin Lycoming R-680-9 engines. It is a nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engine with one inlet and one exhaust valve per cylinder at 30 degrees, a single-barrel carburetor, a full pressure type oil system, and an air cooling system. The engine produces a maximum thrust of 295 hp each and drives two-bladed propellers. It has a maximum speed of 171 knots and a cruise speed of 152 knots. The travel range is 650 nautical miles. It can fly up to 19,000 feet and can climb at a rate of 1,175 feet per minute.