An unusual PT-23

[Gary M]

Now that I have a scanner, I've gone through most of my old photos and found this one of an unusual PT-23 with a full canopy. I took this photo at a small airshow somewhere in Florida in the mid-70s I think. I googled the tail number and found out that it was owned by the CAF and eventually had a crash.

With the full canopy, could it have been an instrument trainer?

[The Inspector]

Believe it was used in Canada where it gets sorta really, seriously cold

[bdk]

Maybe it was a navigation trainer. The canopy would have helped to keep the maps from flying out of the cockpit.

[rcaf_100]

Believe it was used in Canada where it gets sorta really, seriously cold

Canada never used the PT-23. We had the PT-26 Cornell and PT-27 Stearman, but not the -23.

Looks to me like either someone took a Cornell and stuck a Continental off a PT-23 on it, or had a PT-23 and put a Cornell canopy on it.

[The Inspector]

Per FAA website-
N64038 PT-23A (M62C) mfg. Fairchild/Howard s/n 2733AE registration xcld 9/13/89

[Steven M. Dennis]

To my knowledge, (and I am certainly no expert), PT-23's were never delivered from the factory with canopies. However, it is not uncommon to find PT-19's and PT-23's that have been retro-fitted by civilian owners with Rawdon or PT-26 canopies after being surplused by the government. I think most PT drivers will agree that on a long flight or in the northern climate, the canopy is a welcome addition.

As a purist, myself, I like to see the '-19's and the '-23's in their original open cockpit configuration. I have to chuckle because I know of a couple PT-26's running around out there that have had their canopies removed to make them look like PT-19's.

I guess the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

Steve

[N3Njeff]

Personally, I like the open look................but that being said, if it had a BT style...............that would be neat

[ProfromDover]

A buddy of mine had a PT-19 that had the PT-26 canopy on it. Not a big deal to change over. His was sort of 3/4 done as the front instrument panel was PT-26 and the rear panel was PT-19. Probably a popular mod back in the 1950's with lots of surplus stuff around. Makes for a nice plane in the winter, for sure.

When you're flying from the front cockpit if you squint real hard you can make believe you're flying a P-40. Albeit a wood winged, underpowered, slow P-40...

The PT19/23/26 are a real nice flying bird. We had the 200hp ranger on our 19/26. It was a bit of a slug in the summer but fun once in the air. I'd like to fly the 23 as I have heard they were a bit more powerful.

[Gary M]

When you're flying from the front cockpit if you squint real hard you can make believe you're flying a P-40. Albeit a wood winged, underpowered, slow P-40...

Hehe...........that's pretty funny......

[marine air]

In my area, Tennessee, we have about 8 good months for open cockpit flying. 10 for airplanes that closed cockpit but drafty like the L-3 or J-3 , and if you have a heater you can get 12 months of fun flying. I remember freezing my nutz off on a 50 degree day in the Stearman because of the wind chill factor.

[Mike Kelly]

It's just a PT-23 with the PT-26 cnopy added. The Canadians used the PT-26 mostly. It had the canopy but it's easy to put the canopy on the open cockpit PT's. Just fastens on with screw.

Keep 'em Flying!

Mike Kelly