Though the Fort Worth Air & Space Museum is years away from opening, the Foundation leading its development has already acquired two aircraft.
One is the Vultee BT-13 Valiant, a mono-plane used extensively to train U.S. military pilots during World War II. The Museum Foundation acquired the plane when the Fort Worth Aviation Heritage Association dissolved earlier this year and generously transferred its assets to the Foundation.
The Foundation has loaned the BT-13 to the Forward Air Controllers Museum at Veterans Air Memorial Park. The Memorial Park opened its doors in September at Fort Worth’s Meacham Field, and the FACM arranged to relocate the plane to the Park from its prior home at Lockheed Martin. The BT-13 will soon be on display at the Memorial Park.
The BT-13 was considered an entry-level training aircraft, and thousands of Valiants were built to educate beginner pilots before they moved on to more sophisticated fighters and bombers. Despite its excellent agility, the BT-13’s jarring ride earned it the nickname “Vultee Vibrator.”
Image: Vultee BT-13 Valiant The Fort Worth Air & Space Museum
For more information about the Forward Air Controllers Museum and the Veterans Memorial Air Park, visit www.facmuseum.org