The PT-19 was developed as a company-funded effort to satisfy a military requirement for a rugged, monoplane trainer. Massive orders in 1941 led to the doubling of Fairchild's production facilities, but the demand exceeded capacity at Hagerstown, Md., and additional sources were provided by Aeronca and St. Louis Aircraft Corp. All three companies built the PT-19 version. The PT-19B had a hood that fit over the cockpit for blind-flying instrument instruction. The PT-19 and PT-23 were the same airplane except the PT-23 had a radial engine. The PT-26 had a canopy, a new engine, and other slight differences and was used by the Canadian government for the Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Cornells were also flown by the Norwegian forces in exile, Brazil, Ecuador, and Chile. Some PT-19s were in Air Force use as late as 1948.
| Contractors: |
Fairchild Engine & Airplane Corp. |
| Aeronca Aircraft Corp. |
| St. Louis Aircraft Corp. |
| Howard Aircraft Corp. |
| Locations Built: |
Hagerstown, Md. |
| Middletown, Ohio |
| St. Louis, Mo. |
| St. Charles, Ill. |
| Number Built: (USAF) |
6,016 of both models (5,942 of both models) |
| First Flight: |
1939 |
| First Flight Model: |
Company Model 62 |
| First Flight Location: |
Unconfirmed but most likely Hagerstown, Md. |
| First Flight Pilot: |
Unconfirmed |
| Models/Variants: |
PT-19, PT-19A, B. PT-23, PT-23A |
| Powerplant: |
One Ranger L-440-1 six-cylinder in-line of 175 hp |
| Wingspan: |
36 ft 0 in. |
| Length: |
27 ft 11 in. |
| Height: |
10 ft 6 in. |
| Weight: |
2,450 lb gross |
| Armament: |
None |
| Accommodation: |
Crew of two (student and pilot in separate tandem cockpits) |
| Cost: |
$9,896 |
| Max. Speed: |
132 mph |
| Range: |
400 mi. |
| Ceiling: |
15,300 ft. |
|
