View source for Vultee BT-13 Valiant

{{Use American English|date=November 2024}}
{{Short description|US military trainer aircraft}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name= BT-13 Valiant
 |image= File:Vultee BT-13A-VU Valiant ‘018 - 41-21178’ (N27003) (50905401288).jpg
 |caption= A restored Vultee BT-13 over an Airshow in Dallas, 2019
 |type= Trainer
 |manufacturer= [[Vultee Aircraft]]
 |first_flight= March 1939
 |introduction = June 1940
 |primary_user= [[United States Army Air Forces]]
 |more_users= [[United States Navy]]
 |number_built=  9,525
}}

The '''Vultee BT-13 Valiant''' is an American [[World War II]]-era basic (a category between primary and advanced) [[trainer aircraft]] built by [[Vultee Aircraft]] for the [[United States Army Air Corps]], and later [[US Army Air Forces]]. A subsequent variant of the BT-13 in USAAC/USAAF service was known as the '''BT-15 Valiant''', while an identical version for the [[US Navy]] was known as the '''SNV''' and was used to train [[naval aviator]]s for the US Navy and its sister services, the [[US Marine Corps]] and [[US Coast Guard]].<ref name="vultees_bt13_1972_08_airbum">Davisson, Budd: [http://airbum.com/pireps/PirepBT-13.html "Vultee's BT-13 Pilot Maker: Good vibrations from the Vultee Vibrator"] (aircraft review and pilot report), August 1972, ''Air Progress,'' retrieved 11 January 2023 from Airbum.com</ref>

==Design and development==
[[File:Vultee BC-3 prototype in flight c1940.jpg|thumb|Vultee BC-3 prototype in flight]]
According to Jonathan Thompson, "The three trainer designs that shared their basic engineering with the [[Vultee P-66 Vanguard|Vanguard fighter]] were all promoted under the same name, Valiant. The prototypes had consecutive serial numbers 139, 140 and 141 and made their first flights in the Spring and Summer of 1939. While similar in appearance, they were distinct in purpose and performance, and only one of them succeeded in winning a production contract. This turned out to be six [[United States Army Air Corps|AC]] contracts with three supplements, eventually amounting to 11,526 aircraft, plus twelve ordered by Peru, for a total of 11,538."<ref name="jt">{{cite book |last1=Thompson |first1=Jonathan |title=Vultee Aircraft 1932-1947 |date=1992 |publisher=Narkiewicz // Thompson |location=Santa Ana |isbn=0913322024 |pages=66–99}}</ref>

On 24 March, the Vultee '''BC-51''' advanced trainer first flew, but lost out in competition to the [[North American AT-6]]. The Air Corps did accept the Vultee BC-51 though, designating it as the BC-3 after some upgrades in the Spring of 1940. On 9 June, Vultee model 54 advanced trainer first flew. Its original 450-hp [[Wright Whirlwind]] was eventually replaced with a [[R-1340]]. On 28 July, the Vultee model 54A first flew. According to Thompson, "A Basic Trainer, similar to the model 54 except for its fixed landing gear and P&W [[R-985]] engine, it struck pay dirt. In August the USAAC selected it for volume production as the BT-13. which became the standard type for the category throughout World War II."<ref name=jt/><ref name="wegg p158">Wegg 1990, p. 158.</ref>

The Vultee '''BT-13''' was the basic trainer flown by most American pilots during World War II. It was the second phase of the three phase training program for pilots. After primary training in [[PT-13]], [[PT-17]], or [[PT-19]] trainers, the student pilot moved to the more complex Vultee for continued flight training. The BT-13 had a more powerful engine and was faster and heavier than the primary trainer. It required the student pilot to use two way radio communications with the ground and to operate [[Flap (aircraft)|landing flaps]] and a two-position [[Hamilton Standard]] [[Variable-pitch propeller (aeronautics)|controllable-pitch propeller]] (or, more commonly, a [[constant-speed propeller]]<ref name="vultees_bt13_1972_08_airbum" />).

The BT-13A dispensed with the landing gear fairings. Due to the demand for this aircraft, and others which used the same [[Pratt & Whitney]] engine, some were equipped with [[Wright Aeronautical|Wright]] powerplants of similar size and power built in 1941–42. The Wright-equipped aircraft were designated '''BT-15'''.<ref name="vultees_bt13_1972_08_airbum" /> The BT-15B had a 24-volt electrical system.<ref name=jt/>

The Navy adopted the P&W powered aircraft as their main basic trainer, designating it the '''SNV'''. The BT-13 production run outnumbered all other Basic Trainer (BT) types produced.<ref>{{citation | last = Herman | first = Arthur | title = Freedom's Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War II | pages = 203, 262–3 | publisher = Random House | location = New York, NY | date = 2012 | isbn = 978-1-4000-6964-4}}</ref><ref>{{citation | last = Borth | first = Christy | title = Masters of Mass Production | pages = 251–252 | publisher = Bobbs-Merrill Co. | location = Indianapolis, IN | date = 1945 }}</ref>

[[File:Vultee BT-13A on runway at Minter Field (00910460 147).jpg|thumb|Vultee BT-13 on runway at [[Shafter Airport|Minter Field]], California, 1 March 1943]]

According to Thompson, "Because of Vultee's outstanding production achievement, as well as the service's accelerated training programs, the huge pilot requirements were met by mid-1943 and the last Valiants were built in mid-1944. Except for resonances in various flight modes that earned it the nickname 'Vibrator,' the Valiant's simplicity and effectiveness caused it to be taken for granted, and practically forgotten after all of them were sold at war's end."<ref name=jt/>

The BT-13 was not without its faults. Some had been built with plywood tailcones and [[empennage]]s, which did not always remain firmly aligned with the aircraft.<ref name="vultees_bt13_1972_08_airbum" />

Thompson states, "Most of the 5137 Valiants sold in the United States by the [[War Assets Administration]], [[Reconstruction Finance Corporation]] and other agencies went for $450, a mere $1/hp, to cropdusters who wanted only the R-985 and R-975 engines."<ref name=jt/>

==Operational Use==
[https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/dc-metro/rg-407/305275/305275-Microfilm-NDL/32-ID-13-01/32-ID-13-01.pdf A message] from G-3 Section, Headquarters I Corps dated 26 March 1945 reads: 

EFFECTIVE 25 MARCH THERE WILL BE BT-13 TYPE AIRCRAFT FLYING IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLAND AREAS. THIS AIRCRAFT RESEMBLES THE NIP VAL. IT IS A TWO PLACE, LOW WINGED MONOPLANE WITH FIXED LANDING GEAR, A LONG TAPERING CANOPY, AND A HIGH TAIL. THESE AIRCRAFT ARE EQUIPPED WITH IFF. THOROUGH BRIEFING OF ALL RPT ALL AIR CREWS AND ACK ACK GUNNERS AND GROUND PERSONNEL IS IMPERATIVE.

The "Nip Val" refers to the [[Aichi D3A]]. IFF refers to 
[[Identification Friend or Foe]] technology. Although it is not stated, it is possible these aircraft were being used for reconnaissance.

==Variants==
[[File:164 (FACH Vultee BT-13B).jpg|thumb|BT-13B]]
[[File:Vultee BT-15.jpg|thumb|BT-15]]
[[File:Vultee SNV-2.jpg|thumb|SNV-2]]
;BC-3
:Vultee Model V.51 with retractable landing gear and a 600hp P&W [[R-1340]]-45, one built, not developed.
;BT-13
:Vultee Model V.54 with fixed undercarriage and a 450hp P&W [[R-985]]-25 engine, 300 built.
;BT-13A
:As BT-13 but fitted with a 450hp R-985-AN-1 engine and minor changes, 6407 built, survivors re-designated T-13A in 1948.
;BT-13B
:As BT-13A but with a 24-volt electrical system, 1125 built.
;BT-15
:As BT-13A with a 450hp Wright [[R-975]]-11 engine, 1693 built.
;XBT-16
:One BT-13A was re-built in 1942 by Vidal with an all-plastic fuselage as the XBT-16.
;SNV-1
:BT-13As for the United States Navy, 1350 transferred from United States Army Air Corps.
;SNV-2
:BT-13Bs for the United States Navy, 650 transferred from United States Army Air Corps.
;T-13A
:Surviving BT-13As were re-designated in 1948, due to dual allocation of T-13 with the [[PT-13]] in practice they were still known as the BT-13 to avoid confusion.

==Operators==
;{{ARG}}
* [[Argentine Air Force]]<ref name="wegg p159">Wegg 1990, p. 139.</ref>
* [[Argentine Navy]]<ref name="wegg p159"/>
;{{BOL}}
* [[Bolivian Air Force]] (37 BT-13 between 1942 and 1958)<ref name="wegg p159"/>
;{{BRA}}
* [[Brazilian Air Force]] (120 BT-15s)<ref name="wegg p159"/>
;{{CHI}}
* [[Chilean Air Force]]<ref name="wegg p159"/>
;{{CHN}}
;{{COL}}
* [[Colombian Air Force]] (Fourteen BT-15s)<ref name="wegg p159"/>
;{{China as ROC}}<ref name="wegg p160">Wegg 1990, p. 160.</ref>
;{{CUB}}
* [[Cuban Air Force]]
;{{DOM}}
* [[Dominican Air Force]]<ref name="wegg p159"/>
;{{ECU}}
* [[Ecuadorian Air Force]]
;{{flag|Egypt|1922}}
;{{flag|El Salvador}}
* [[Salvadoran Air Force]]<ref name="wegg p159"/>
;{{FRA}}
* [[French Air Force]]<ref name="wegg p159-0">Wegg 1990, pp. 159–160.</ref>
;{{flag|Guatemala}}
* [[Guatemalan Air Force]]<ref name="wegg p159"/>
;{{flag|Haiti}}
*[[Haiti Air Corps]]<ref name="wegg p159"/>
;{{HON}}
* [[Honduran Air Force]]<ref name="wegg p159"/>
;{{IDN}}
* [[Indonesian Air Force]]<ref name="wegg p160"/>
;{{ISR}}
* [[Israeli Air Force]]<ref name="wegg p160"/>
;{{MEX}}<ref name="wegg p159"/>
;{{flag|Nicaragua}}
* [[Nicaraguan Air Force]]<ref name="wegg p159"/>
;{{PAN}}
;{{PAR}}<ref name="wegg p159"/>
* [[Paraguayan Air Arm]] 10 BT-13A received through Lend-Lease 1942–1943. Two BT-13 bought in Argentina in 1947.
* [[Paraguayan Naval Aviation]] Three BT-13 donated by Argentina in the 1960s.
;{{PER}}
*[[Peruvian Air Force]]<ref name="wegg p159"/>
;{{PHI}}<ref name="wegg p160"/>
;{{USSR}}
* [[Soviet Air Force]]{{citation needed|date=February 2013}}
;{{flag|United States|1912}}
* [[United States Air Force]]
* [[United States Army Air Forces]]
* [[United States Navy]]
;{{VEN}}
*[[Venezuelan Air Force]]<ref name="wegg p159"/>
*Centro de Instruccion Aeronautica Civil

==Surviving aircraft==
'''Australia'''
* 41-23063 – BT-13A airworthy with John Kempton in [[Albury, New South Wales]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Aircraft Register [VH-JKV]|url=https://www.casa.gov.au/aircraft-register?vh=JKV|website=Australian Government Civil Aviation Safety Authority|access-date=26 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier - Vultee BT-13A Valiant, s/n 41-23063 USAAF, c/n 7710, c/r VH-JKV|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=26463|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=26 September 2017}}</ref>

;Brazil
* 1072 – BT-15 on static display at the [[Museu Aeroespacial]] in [[Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro]].<ref>{{cite web|title=VULTEE BT-15 – VALIANT &#124; CONSOLIDATED VULTEE AIRCRAFT|url=http://www2.fab.mil.br/musal/index.php/anvs/357-bt-15|website=Museu Aeroespacial|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Vultee Valiant, s/n 1072 FABr, c/n 74A-3240, c/r PP-GRH|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=99504|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref>
* 42-1216 – BT-13A in storage at [[Museu TAM]] in [[São Carlos|São Carlos, São Paulo]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Vultee BT-13A Valiant, s/n 42-1216 USAAF, c/r N56665|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=27791|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref>

;Canada
*42-89379 – BT-13A airworthy in [[Edenvale, Ontario]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier - Vultee BT-13A Valiant, s/n 42-89379 USAAF, c/r N79VV|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=32335|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=26 September 2017}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=September 2017}}<ref>{{cite web|title=FAA Registry [N79VV]|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N79VV|website=Federal Aviation Administration|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=26 September 2017}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=September 2017}}

;Indonesia
[[File:Vultee-BT-13A-Valiant-B-633.jpg|thumb|Indonesian Air Force BT-13A Valiant at the Dirgantara Mandala Museum]]

* B-427 – BT-13A on display at [[Ngurah Rai International Airport]] in [[Denpasar]], [[Bali]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airliners.net/photo/Indonesia-Air-Force/Vultee-BT-13-Valiant/1305779|title=Vultee BT-13 Valiant - Indonesia - Air Force — Aviation Photo #1305779|language=EN|date=15 December 2007|website=airliners.net|access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref>
* B-604 – BT-13A on display at [[Suryadarma Air Force Base]] in Kalijati, [[Subang Regency]], [[West Java]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gspradio.com/2015/02/lanud-suryadarma-kalijati-subang.html|title=Lanud Suryadarma, Kalijati, Subang|language=id|date=February 2015|website=gspradio.com|access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref>
* B-605 – BT-13A on display at [[Gembira Loka Zoo]] in [[Yogyakarta]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gembiralokazoo.com/category/recreation.html|title=Gembira Loka Zoo|language=en|date=|website=gembiralokazoo.com|access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref>
* B-608 – BT-13A on display at Jurug Solo Zoo in [[Surakarta]], [[Central Java]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.solopos.com/tstj-solo-pesawat-latih-diharapkan-pikat-pengunjung-taman-jurug-681169|title=TSTJ SOLO : Pesawat Latih Diharapkan Pikat Pengunjung Taman Jurug|language=id|date=16 January 2016|website=solopos.com|access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref>
* B-610 – BT-13A on display at Gedung Juang 45 [[Subang, Indonesia|Subang]] in Subang Regency, West Java.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pasundanekspres.co/jabar/subang/tak-terurus-pesawat-di-gedung-juang-45-subang-akan-ditarik/|title=Tak Terurus, Pesawat di Gedung Juang 45 Subang Akan Ditarik|language=id|date=26 October 2020|website=pasundanekspres.co|access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref>
* B-616 – BT-13A on display at [[Indonesian Air Force Academy]] in [[Yogyakarta]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviadejavu.ru/Site/Arts/Art7915.htm#en|title=Air International 1985-12|language=EN|date=|website=aviadejavu.ru|access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref>
* B-620 – BT-13A on display at [[Sempor Dam]] in [[Kebumen Regency]], Cemtral Java.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wikimapia.org/22662999/Monumen-Pesawat-World-War-II-Plane-Statue|title=Monumen Pesawat (World War II Plane Statue)|language=EN|date=|website=wikimapia.org|access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref>
* B-622 – BT-13A on display at Mangkang Zoo in [[Semarang]], Central Java. It was stripped of all markings and painted blue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://seputarsemarang.com/water-boom-bonbin-semarang/|title=Water Boom Bonbin Semarang|language=id|date=2013|website=seputarsemarang.com|access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kebun Binatang — Taman Margasatwa Bonbin Semarang|url=http://seputarsemarang.com/taman-margasatwa-bonbin-semarang-5885/|language=id|date=2013|website=seputarsemarang.com|access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref>
* B-633 – BT-13A on display at [[Dirgantara Mandala Museum]] in [[Yogyakarta]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationmuseum.eu/World/Asia/Indonesia/Yogyakarta/Yogyakarta_photo/Vultee_BT-13A_Valiant_B-633.htm|title=Vultee BT-13A Valiant B-633 Indonesian Air Force|language=en|date=|website=aviationmuseum.eu|access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref>

;Netherlands
[[File:Vultee BT-13A Valiant ’42-43210 350’ (N313BT) (50595056117).jpg|thumb|42-43210 (N313BT) at [[Duxford Aerodrome]] in England]]
* 42-43210 – BT-13A airworthy at the Early Birds Museum on [[Lelystad Airport]] in the [[Netherlands]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vroegevogels.org/projects/vultee-bt-13-valiant/|title=Vultee BT-13 Valiant|language=EN|website=vroegevogels.org|access-date=11 November 2022}}</ref>

;United States
[[File:Air Zoo December 2019 075 (Vultee BT-13A-SNV-1 Valiant).jpg|thumb|Vultee BT-13A/SNV-1 Valiant at the [[Air Zoo]]]]
[[File:Cavanaugh Flight Museum December 2019 09 (Vultee SNV-2 Valiant).jpg|thumb|Vultee SNV-2 Valiant at the [[Cavanaugh Flight Museum]]]]

* 3022 – SNV-1 on static display at Main Campus of the [[Kalamazoo Air Zoo]] in [[Kalamazoo, Michigan]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Vultee BT-13A/SNV-1 Valiant|url=http://www.airzoo.org/page.php?page_id=144|website=Air Zoo|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Vultee SNV-1 Valiant, s/n 03022 USN, c/n 3183|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=6683|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref>
* 156739 – SNV-1 airworthy at the [[Estrella Warbirds Museum]] in [[Paso Robles, California]].<ref>{{cite web|title=1941 Vultee SNV-1 (BT13-A) Vibrator|url=http://www.ewarbirds.org/vulteeSNV.html|website=Estrella Warbirds Museum|access-date=15 November 2016|archive-date=27 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627235251/http://www.ewarbirds.org/vulteeSNV.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Vultee BT-13A Valiant, c/r N56319|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=25049|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=FAA Registry [N56319]|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N56319|website=Federal Aviation Administration|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref>
* 41-10418 – BT-13A on static display at the [[Combat Air Museum]] in [[Topeka, Kansas]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Vultee Aircraft, Inc. BT-13A "Valiant" N93BT (USAAF S/N 41-10418) |url=http://www.combatairmuseum.org/aircraft/vultee2.html |website=Combat Air Museum |access-date=2 August 2021}}</ref>
* 41-10571 – BT-13A on static display at the Quik Stop Mini-Mart in [[Caruthers, California]]. It is mounted nose-first on top of a gas station island awning.<ref>{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Vultee BT-13A Valiant, s/n 41-10571 USAAF, c/n 2888, c/r N57414 |url=http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=6020 |website=Aerial Visuals |access-date=11 April 2022}}</ref>
* 41-10814 – BT-13A airworthy with Vultee Resource & Management in [[Yukon, Oklahoma]].<ref>{{cite web|title=FAA Registry [N68178]|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N68178|website=Federal Aviation Administration|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=26 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Valiant/41-10814 |url=http://www.warbirdregistry.org/bt13registry/bt13-n68178.html |website=Warbird Registry |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref>
* 41-11355 – BT-13A on static display at the [[National Naval Aviation Museum]] in [[Pensacola, Florida]]. It is painted as an SNV-1.<ref>{{cite web|title=SNV VALIANT|url=http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/attractions/aircraft-exhibits/item/?item=snv_valiant|website=National Naval Aviation Museum|publisher=Naval Aviation Museum Foundation|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier - Vultee BT-13A Valiant, s/n 41-11355 USAAF, c/n 74-2365, c/r N60828|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=29076|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=26 September 2017}}</ref>
* 41-11538 – BT-13A airworthy with the [[Commemorative Air Force]] Minnesota Wing in [[South St. Paul, Minnesota]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Vultee BT-13 Valiant|url=http://www.cafmn.org/vultee-bt-13-valiant.html|website=Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Vultee BT-13A Valiant, s/n 41-11538 USAAF, c/r N52411|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=26851|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=FAA Registry [N52411]|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N52411|website=Federal Aviation Administration|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref>
* 41-11584 – BT-13A on static display at the [[Combat Air Museum]] in [[Topeka, Kansas]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Vultee BT-13A Valiant|url=http://www.combatairmuseum.org/aircraft/vultee.html|website=Combat Air Museum|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref>
* 41-21178 - BT-13A airworthy with the [[Commemorative Air Force]] in [[Houston, Texas]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Welcome to the Houston Wing|url=https://www.houstonwing.org/|website=Houston Wing Commemorative Air Force|access-date=18 March 2022}}</ref>
* 41-21218 – BT-13A airworthy with Valiant Effort Foundation in [[Livermore, California]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Vultee BT-13A Valiant, s/n 41-21218 USAAF, c/n 5057, c/r N59842 |url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=14641 |website=Aerial Visuals |access-date=8 June 2020}}</ref>
* 41-21487 – BT-13A on static display at the [[March Field Air Museum]] in [[Riverside, California]].<ref>{{cite web|title=BT-13 Valiant|url=http://www.marchfield.org/aircraft/trainer/bt-13a-valiant-vultee|website=March Field Air Museum|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref> It is painted as 41–22365.<ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Vultee Valiant, s/n 41-21487 USAAF|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=19702|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref>
* 41-21826 - BT-13A airworthy with the [[Commemorative Air Force]] in [[Dallas|Dallas, Texas.]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Federal Aviation Administration |date=September 7, 2025 |title=N-Number Inquiry Results N57486 |url=https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=57486}}</ref>
* 41-21933 – BT-13A on static display at the [[Travis Air Force Base Heritage Center]] at [[Travis Air Force Base]] in [[Fairfield, California]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Indoor Exhibits – Basic Trainers|url=https://travisheritagecenter.org/html/trainers.html|website=Travis Air Force Base Heritage Center|publisher=Travis Heritage Center|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Vultee BT-13A Valiant, s/n 41-21933 USAAF, c/n 5772|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=18096|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref>
* 41-22124 – BT-13A in storage at the [[Paul E. Garber Preservation, Restoration, and Storage Facility]] of the [[National Air and Space Museum]] in [[Suitland, Maryland]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Vultee BT-13A Valiant|url=http://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/vultee-bt-13a-valiant|website=Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum|access-date=29 April 2017}}</ref>
* 41-22204 – BT-13A on static display at the [[South Dakota Air and Space Museum]] in [[Box Elder, South Dakota]].<ref>{{cite web |title=EXHIBITS |url=http://www.sdairandspacemuseum.com/exhibits |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402112330/http://www.sdairandspacemuseum.com/exhibits |url-status=usurped |archive-date=2 April 2013 |website=South Dakota Air and Space Museum |access-date=8 June 2020}}</ref>
* 41-22386 – BT-13A on static display at the Moffett Field Historical Society Museum in [[Mountain View, California]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Vultee BT-13A Valiant, s/n 41-22386 USAAF, c/n 6464 |url=http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=156526 |website=Aerial Visuals |access-date=8 June 2020}}</ref>
* 41-22441 – BT-13A airworthy at the [[Mid-Atlantic Air Museum]] in [[Reading, Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Rambow|first1=Bill|title=Consolidated Vultee BT-13A/SNV-1 "Valiant"|url=http://www.maam.org/aircraft/bt-13.html|website=Mid-Atlantic Air Museum|access-date=15 November 2016|archive-date=27 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160627210127/http://www.maam.org/aircraft/bt-13.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Vultee BT-13A Valiant, s/n 41-22441 USAAF, c/r N60277|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=28967|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=FAA Registry [N60277]|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N60277|website=Federal Aviation Administration|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref>
* 41-23075 – BT-13A airworthy on loan from Rene J. Vercruyssen to the Chico Air Museum in [[Chico, California]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Chico Air Museum Photo Gallery|url=http://www.chicoairmuseum.org/Photo-Gallery.html|website=Chico Air Museum|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Urseny|first1=Laura|title=BT-13 trainer brings WWII era back to Chico airport|url=http://www.chicoer.com/general-news/20160202/bt-13-trainer-brings-wwii-era-back-to-chico-airport|access-date=15 November 2016|work=Chico Enterprise-Record|publisher=Chico Enterprise-Record|date=2 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Vultee BT-13A Valiant, s/n 41-23075 USAAF, c/r N59961|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=28857|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=FAA Registry [N59961]|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=59961|website=Federal Aviation Administration|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref>
* 42-04130 – BT-13A on static display at [[Goodfellow Air Force Base]] in [[San Angelo, Texas]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fischer|first1=William|title=BT-13A Valiant|url=http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=12029|website=HMdb.org|access-date=15 November 2016|date=3 October 2008|archive-date=21 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021120955/http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=12029|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* 42-41303 – BT-15 on static display at the [[Gunter Annex]] of [[Maxwell Air Force Base]] in [[Montgomery, Alabama]].<ref>{{cite web |title=LOANED AIRCRAFT BY LOC |url=https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Portals/7/LOANED%20AIRCRAFT%20BY%20LOC.pdf |website=National Museum of the United States Air Force |access-date=9 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Vultee Valiant, s/n 42-41303 USAAF|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=138|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref>
* 42-42353 – BT-13A on static display at the [[Pima Air Museum]] in [[Tucson, Arizona]].<ref>{{cite web|title=VALIANT|url=http://www.pimaair.org/aircraft-by-name/item/vultee-bt-13a-valiant|website=Pima Air & Space Museum|publisher=Pimaair.org|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref>
* 42-88675 – BT-13A airworthy at the [[National WASP WWII Museum]] in [[Sweetwater, Texas]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Restored BT-13 Donated to The National WASP Museum|url=http://www.warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-news/restored-bt-13-donated-the-national-wasp-museum.html|website=Warbirds News|access-date=26 September 2017|date=22 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier - Vultee BT-13A Valiant, s/n 42-88675 USAAF, c/n 10514, c/r N60795|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=29060|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=26 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=FAA Registry [N60795]|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N60795|website=Federal Aviation Administration|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=26 September 2017}}</ref>
* 42-88708 – BT-13 on display at the [[Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum]] in [[Rio Grande, New Jersey]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Airplanes|url=http://www.usnasw.org/?page_id=229|website=Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum|publisher=NASW Aviation Museum|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Vultee BT-13 Valiant, s/n 42-88708 USAAF, c/n 10547, c/r N40018|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=73135|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref>
* 42-88855 – BT-13A airworthy with Barry D. Burns in [[Hubbard, Oregon]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Vultee BT-13A Valiant, s/n 42-88855 USAAF, c/n 10990, c/r N9743N |url=http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=34598 |website=Aerial Visuals |access-date=9 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=FAA Registry [N9743N]|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N9743N|website=Federal Aviation Administration|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=9 June 2020}}</ref>
* 42-89607 – BT-13B airworthy at the [[Yanks Air Museum]] in [[Chino, California]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Vultee V-79 Valiant (BT-13B)|url=http://yanksair.com/Products/165/70/Vultee-V-79-Valiant-BT-13B|website=Yanks Air Museum|access-date=15 November 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116102724/https://yanksair.com/Products/165/70/Vultee-V-79-Valiant-BT-13B/|archive-date=16 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Vultee BT-13B Valiant, s/n 42-89607 USAAF, c/n 79-0326, c/r N4425V|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=25130|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=FAA Registry [N4425V]|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N4425V|website=Federal Aviation Administration|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref>
* 42-89678 – BT-13A on static display at the [[Castle Air Museum]] in [[Atwater, California]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Aircraft on Display|url=http://www.castleairmuseum.org/ondisplay|website=Castle Air Museum|access-date=15 November 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114232620/http://www.castleairmuseum.org/ondisplay/|archive-date=14 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Vultee BT-13A Valiant, s/n 42-89678 USAAF, c/r N63952|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=64942|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref>
* 42-90018 – BT-13B on static display at the [[Museum of Aviation (Warner Robins)|Museum of Aviation]] at [[Robins Air Force Base]] in [[Warner Robins, Georgia]].<ref>{{cite web|title=BT-13B "Valiant"|url=http://www.museumofaviation.net/?artwork=bt-13b-valiant|website=Museum of Aviation|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref>
* 42-90026 – BT-13B airworthy with the Alaska Wing of the [[Commemorative Air Force]] in [[Anchorage, Alaska]].<ref>{{cite web |title=BT-13 VALIANT |url=http://www.cafalaska.org/bt13-valiant |website=Commemorative Air Force Alaska Wing |access-date=8 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Vultee SNV-2 Valiant, s/n 42-90026 USAAF, c/n 79-0999, c/r N63282 |url=http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=12471 |website=Aerial Visuals |access-date=8 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=FAA Registry [N63282] |url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N63282 |website=Federal Aviation Administration |publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation |access-date=8 June 2020}}</ref>
* 42-90296 – BT-13B airworthy at the [[War Eagles Air Museum]] in [[Santa Teresa, New Mexico]].<ref>{{cite web|title=BT-13 Valiant|url=http://www.war-eagles-air-museum.com/exhibit.php?id=9|website=War Eagles Air Museum|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Vultee BT-13B Valiant, s/n 42-90296 USAAF, c/n 79-1293, c/r N63697|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=29721|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=FAA Registry [N63697]|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N63697|website=Federal Aviation Administration|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref>
* 42-90590 – BT-13B airworthy with Ryan Shively of [[Richland, Washington]].<ref>{{cite web |title=FAA Registry [N60794] |url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N60794 |website=Federal Aviation Administration |publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation |access-date=8 June 2020}}</ref> It was delivered to the USAAF in May 1944 and served with the [[54th Fighter Squadron]], [[2nd Air Commando Group]], 4501st Base Unit, and 338th Base Unit.<ref>Headquarters United States Air Force Historical Research Center Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama 36112-6678</ref>
* 42-90629 – BT-13B on static display at the [[National Museum of the United States Air Force]] in [[Dayton, Ohio]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Vultee BT-13B Valiant|url=https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196294/vultee-bt-13b-valiant/|website=National Museum of the US Air Force|access-date=15 November 2016|date=20 April 2015}}</ref>
* 42-90054 – BT-13B airworthy with the [[Planes of Fame Air Museum]] in [[Chino, California]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Flying & Static Aircraft |url=http://planesoffame.org/aircraft |website=Planes of Fame Air Museum |access-date=8 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=FAA Registry [N54822] |url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N54822 |website=Federal Aviation Administration |publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation |access-date=8 June 2020}}</ref>
* c/n 7832 – BT-13A on static display at the [[Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum]] in [[McMinnville, Oregon]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sparkes|first1=Graham F.|title=Vultee Valiant, N57655 / 7832, Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum |url=http://abpic.co.uk/pictures/view/1488226|website=ABPic|publisher=AIR-BRITAIN|access-date=15 November 2016|date=18 September 2014}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=July 2020}}
* c/n 8408 – BT-13 on static display at the [[Fort Worth Aviation Museum]] in [[Fort Worth, Texas]].<ref>{{cite web|title=BT-13 Valiant|url=http://fortworthaviationmuseum.com/category/our-aircraft/bt-13-valiant|website=Fort Worth Aviation Museum|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref>
* Unknown ID – Unknown variant in storage in unrestored condition at the [[Planes of Fame Air Museum]] in [[Chino, California]].<ref>{{cite web|title=BT-13 wreck at the Planes of Fame Museum AZ|url=http://pacaeropress.websitetoolbox.com/post/bt13-wreck-at-the-planes-of-fame-museum-az-3684438|website=Wreckchasing.com|access-date=15 November 2016|date=25 September 2008}}</ref>
* Unknown ID – BT-13 under restoration at the [[Fargo Air Museum]] in [[Fargo, North Dakota]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Restoration project: BT-13|url=http://www.fargoairmuseum.org/projects|website=Fargo Air Museum|access-date=6 December 2016}}</ref>
* Unknown ID – BT-13A on static display at the Florida Keys Marathon International Airport in Marathon, Florida. [source: FAA registry search]
* 79-1366 – BT-13 airworthy on display at the Wings of Honor Museum in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. [source: FAA registry search]

==Popular culture==
[[File:Aichi D3A Replica Airshow.jpg|thumb|[[Aichi D3A]] replica at the Geneseo Airshow. In 1968 a Vultee BT-13 Valiant (N56867) was converted to a Val replica for use in the filming of the movie "Tora! Tora! Tora!", flown as Val "AI-244" (Carrier Akagi). The BT-13 has been maintained in that configuration ever since, and is now flown at airshows as "BI-211" with markings of Carrier Soryu.]]

BTs were used by [[Twentieth Century Fox]] in the 1970 motion picture "[[Tora! Tora! Tora!]]", converted to look like [[Aichi D3A]] Vals.
After filming, the studio sold or donated the altered aircraft.<ref name=jt/>{{rp|99}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Vultee BT-15 (Movie Conversion Aichi D3Y 'Val') |url=https://planesoffame.org/aircraft/plane-BT-155 |website=Planes of Fame Air Museum |access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Tora! Tora! Tora! Turns Fifty |url=https://www.commemorativeairforce.org/news/tora-tora-tora-turns-fifty |access-date=1 December 2023}}</ref>

==Specifications (BT-13A)==
[[File:Vultee Valiant 3-view L'Aerophile May 1940.jpg|frameless|right|3-view line drawing of the Vultee Valiant]]

{{Aircraft specs
|ref=United States Military Aircraft since 1909<ref name="swan mil p461">Swanborough and Bowers 1963, p. 461</ref>
|prime units?=imp
|crew=2
|length ft=28
|length in=10
|span ft=42
|span in=0
|height m=
|height ft=11
|height in=6
|wing area sqm=
|wing area sqft=239
|empty weight kg=
|empty weight lb=3375
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight lb=4496
|gross weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Pratt & Whitney R-985]]-AN-1
|eng1 type=nine-cylinder air-cooled [[radial engine]]
|eng1 kw=
|eng1 hp=450
|prop blade number=2
|prop name=Hamilton-Standard 2-position
|prop dia m=
|prop dia ft=
|prop dia in=
|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph=180
|max speed kts=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed kts=
|range km=
|range miles=725
|range nmi=
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=21650
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=
|time to altitude=9.2 minutes to {{convert|10000|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|avionics=
}}

==See also==
'''Related development:'''
* [[Vultee P-66 Vanguard]]
'''Comparable aircraft:'''
*[[North American T-6 Texan]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{Cite journal |title=Pentagon Over the Islands: The Thirty-Year History of Indonesian Military Aviation |journal=[[Air Enthusiast|Air Enthusiast Quarterly]] |date=June 1976 |issue=2 |pages=154–162 |issn=0143-5450}}<!-- Alphabetized under "Air Enthusiast" -->
* {{Cite book |last=Andersson |first=Lennart |title=A History of Chinese Aviation: Encyclopedia of Aircraft and Aviation in China to 1949 |year=2008 |publisher=AHS of ROC |location=Taipei, Republic of China |isbn=978-957-28533-3-7}}
* {{Cite journal |last1=Sapienza |first1=Antonio Luis |date=May 2001 |title=L'aviation militare paraguayenne durant la seconde guerre mondiale |journal=Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire |trans-title=Paraguayan Military Aviation During the Second World War |issue=98 |pages=30–33 |language=fr |issn=1243-8650}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Swanborough |first1=F. G. |last2=Bowers |first2=Peter M. |author-link2=Peter M. Bowers |year=1963 |title=U.S. Military Aircraft since 1909 |location=London |publisher=Putnam |oclc=464065470}}
* {{Cite book |last=Wegg |first=John |year=1990 |title=General Dynamics Aircraft and Their Predecessors |location=London |publisher=Putnam Aeronautical Books |isbn=0-85177-833-X}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline|Vultee BT-13 Valiant}}
*[http://BT-13.com BT-13.com Vultee History Site]

{{Vultee aircraft}}
{{USN scout aircraft}}
{{USAF trainer aircraft}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Vultee aircraft|BT-13]]
[[Category:1930s United States military trainer aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1939]]
[[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable conventional landing gear]]
[[Category:Single-engined piston aircraft]]