Fairchild AT-21

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This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
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K5DH
  • K5DH
  • Posts: 2670
  • Joined: Sun Aug 13, 2006 7:11 pm
  • Location: Port Charlotte, Florida

Sun Apr 12, 2009 4:45 pm

Interesting machine. It kinda looks like a shrunken Hudson with Ranger engines. It's oddly stylish looking.

Cheers,
Dave Lindauer
  • Dave Lindauer
  • Posts: 235
  • Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2007 9:24 pm
  • Location: Dallas, Texas

Sun Apr 12, 2009 6:53 pm

Back in 1982 there was a rotted partial airframe at the edge of what I think was called the Southwest Air & Space Museum, located near the main gate to Carswell AFB in Fort Worth. If my memory is correct, it was a tri-gear wooden twin, and I think it had Fairchild rudder pedals. There wasn't much left.

Could this have been the remains of an AT-21?

If not, can anyone tell me what it was?
Cvairwerks
  • Cvairwerks
  • Posts: 1455
  • Joined: Mon Jun 14, 2004 8:41 pm
  • Location: North Texas

Mon Apr 13, 2009 5:13 pm

Lest: Yeah, we've been hammered a few times over the last 10 years, but we seem to always bounce back with some improvement.

Chris: It may be the same one. I don't have a copy of the article right now, so I can't be sure. There were a few floating around after the war, but not for long. As far as I know, mine is the last one left.

I always described it to people as a pregnant 3/4 scale B-25 with V-12's. The center section has the dihedral and the outer panels are flat, just like the -25. It's a tri-gear like the -25 also.

Dave: This airframe did come out of SAM. It was decided that it was too much of a project for SAM and the interest was too low. So, to prevent the possibility of it being scrapped, I worked out a deal to get it auctioned off, and ended up as the sole bidder. SAM was actually located at the main entrance to GD, on the west side of the base.
Dave Lindauer
  • Dave Lindauer
  • Posts: 235
  • Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2007 9:24 pm
  • Location: Dallas, Texas

Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:17 pm

Craig - I'm so happy to hear that you saved her. I had always assumed that the remains had been scrapped long ago. - Dave
Cvairwerks
  • Cvairwerks
  • Posts: 1455
  • Joined: Mon Jun 14, 2004 8:41 pm
  • Location: North Texas

Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:17 pm

Interesting thing about her...She spent her entire operational live within 300 miles of here. About a month or so at Tinker AAF, then down to Ellington Field in Houston. Delivered to the AAF in May 44 and surplused in Jan of 45. Not much active time, and used mostly as a base hack. Delivered with the turret, but it was pulled apparently when it was transerred to Ellington so as to increase her range.

I'm one of those people that like weird things...it was only logical that I would work on saving her.
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