Canadian Warplanes 4: Fairchild Cornell

Fairchild Cornell

(RCAF Photo)

Fairchild M-62A-4 Cornell Mk. II, RCAF (Serial No. 1073-).

In early 1942, an agreement was signed between the Canadian Government and Fairchild Aircraft, which licenced Fleet Aircraft of Fort Erie, Ontario to construct the PT-26 Cornell in Canada. The first 800 Cornells used by the RCAF were supplied from Fairchild, until production commenced at Fort Erie in November 1942. By the end of the war in 1945, 2,853 Cornells had been built by Fleet - 1,565 for the RCAF and 1,288 for the RAF.

PT-26 Cornells were flown at many of the Elementary Flying Training Schools (EFTS) of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, where they replaced the Fleet Finch and the de Havilland Tiger Moth biplane trainers. After the Second World War, many Cornells were sold to the civilian market, but some were retained by the RCAF, where they were finally retired in 1948. (CWHM)

Fairchild M-62A-4 Cornell Mk. I trainer (541), (Serial Nos. EW341-EW490, FH652-80, FH682-709, 15-78, FH780-953, 55-99, FJ650-700), Cornell Mk. II (917), (Serial Nos. 10500-10523, 10525-10750, 10766-10795, 10801-10907, 14381-14670, 15001-15065, 15141-15165, 15191-15215, 15241-15265, 15291-15315, 15341-15365, 16601-16650, FV653, FV661-734, FX166-97), Mk. III (107), (Serial Nos. 10502 (converted from Mk. II).

(Bill Larkins Photo)

Fairchild Cornell, RCAF (Serial No. FH664).

(Bill Larkins Photo)

Fairchild Cornell, RCAF (Serial No. FH980), landing low on approach to Concord, California, where it was to be sold by the War Assets Administration in 1946.

(Bill Larkins Photo)

Fairchild Cornell, RCAF (Serial No. FH900), painted as a target tug.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3643709)

Fairchild Cornell, cockpit, 19 Nov 1942.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3643703)

Fairchild Cornell Mk. I, RCAF (Serial No. FH652), cockpit, No. 3 Flying Instructors School, July 1942.

(Photo courtesy of Bzuk)

Fairchild PT-26A Cornell Mk. II, C-GATP, FV-725.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3583635)

Fairchild Cornell Mk. I, (Serial No. FH684), 8 Dec 1944.  

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3582306)

Fairchild Cornell, 19 Nov 1942.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3643723)

Fairchild Cornell Mk. II on skis, RCAF (Serial No. 511), 27 March 1943.

(Library & Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3650763)

Fairchild Cornell Mk. I, RCAF EW485, 1944.

(Library & Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3390307)

Fairchild Cornell Mk. I, RCAF FH652, No. 3 Flying Instructors School, Rockcliffe, Jul 1942.

(Library & Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3643706)

Fairchild Cornell Mk. I, RCAF (Serial No. FH652), No. 3 Flying Instructors School, July 1942.

(Library & Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3230941)

Groundcrew servicing a Fairchild Cornell Mk. I aircraft of No. 19 Elementary Flying Training School, RCAF, Virden, Manitoba, Oct 1944.

(Library & Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3581734)

Fairchild M-62B, 24 Feb 1941.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3581735)

Fairchild M62B, 24 Feb 1941. This aircraft has a US type registration on the rudder, and is likely a PT-23 sales demonstrator visiting Canada. It is fitted with the Cornell's closed canopy, possibly as a backup if the supply of Ranger engines fell short of demand. (Mike Fletcher)

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3581736)

Fairchild M62B, 24 Feb 1941.