The Vultee BT–13 Valiant was World War II’s basic trainer WHEN SEEING A VULTEE BT–13 VALIANT FOR FIRST TIME, MOST PILOTS believe they’re looking at a North American AT–6 Texan because these aircraft look so similar. The astute observer will notice, however, that the BT–13 has fixed landing gear, while the T–6 has retractable gear. Another distinctive feature of the Valiant is the tall antenna mast mounted forward of its cockpit. The well-trained eye might notice, too, that the Vultee has a symmetrical airfoil; the T–6 does not. BY BARRY SCHIFF P H OT O G R A P H Y B Y M I K E F I Z E R www.aopa.org/pilot AOPA PILOT | 51http://www.aopa.org/pilot