REMEMBERING THE PAST, SHARING THE FUTURE

The Hampton Airfield is proud to introduce to you a historic 1943 aircraft, used in WWII to train military pilots in the US Army Air Force. Flown here from Texas in June 2022, the Fairchild PT-23 is ready to show her wings. The 1943 Fairchild PT-23 is housed permanently at the Hampton Airfield and is used for educational purposes, airshows, rides, scenic flights, and for permanent display.

For questions about the New England Commemorative Air Force, email Commander@necaf.org

The New England Wing of the Commemorative Air Force aims to educate, honor, and inspire through flight and living history. Founded in 2021 by Nick Infantino, NECAF is the CAF’s newest wing. We are based out of Hampton Airfield (7B3) in North Hampton, New Hampshire, and have a 1942 Fairchild PT-23.

Visit NECAF Website

HISTORY 1943 FAIRCHILD PT-23 (PRIMARY TRAINER) AIRCRAFT

In 1938, while most military pilots were still receiving their initial training in biplanes, Fairchild Aircraft recognized the need for a new design more closely approximating the more advanced types of air­craft the trainees would soon be flying. The result was the develop­ment of one of the most innovative and effective primary training planes ever designed, the Fairchild Primary Trainer (PT). The first prototype flew on May 15, 1939, and later that year won a fly-off competition against 17 other designs for the new Army training airplane.

When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, demand for military pilots skyrocketed. The all-silver P-23 is an open cockpit with the Continental 670 radial engine mounted on the front. A total of 1,126 PT-23’s were made in 1942. The number on the side panel indicates when it was on the production line. By 1944, more World War II pilots had received their first introduction to military flight in Fairchild PTs than in any other aircraft. With few exceptions (such as modern radio equipment), every­thing on the airplane is as it was originally.

We hope you enjoy seeing and learning about our plane. Owning and flying an old bird like this is definitely fun, but sharing it with others is really what it’s all about. This and other airplanes like it, need to be saved. There is no substitute for standing in front of the real thing and dreaming about its great or small place in history. It’s enjoy­able to pause and reflect that hundreds received the gift of flight in this airplane, pilots who then went on to serve their country. Old airplanes are more than old airplanes, they are our connection to history, inspiration and honor.

Fairchild PT-23-SLSpecifications

  • Fairchild PT-23-SL Army SN: N62476
  • Mission: WWII Primary Trainer (PT)
  • Designed by: Fairchild Aircraft, Hagerstown, Maryland. Manufactured under contract by St. Louis Aircraft, St. Louis, Missouri, USAAF
  • Model: PT-23-SL
  • Civilian Model: M62C
  • Engine: Continental R-670-11, 220 HP
  • Propeller: Sensenich, two-bladed, fixed pitch, wood
  • Original Cost: $9,430
  • Line Number: 164
  • Total PT-23s manufactured: 1,126
  • Estimated Number Flying Today: 43
  • Basic Construction: The basic construction includes a two-place, tandem seating, cantilever low-wing monoplane, with fabric-covered welded steel tube fuselage, fixed landing gear, plywood-covered wood center section, outer wing panels, and tail assembly.
  • Original USAAF Performance Specifications with R-670-4 Engine
  • Takeoff speed:  60-65 mph Best
  • Gliding Speed: 80 mph
  • Cruising Speed: 106 mph
  • Maximum Diving Speed: 191 mph
  • Wing Span: 36′-0″
  • Gross Weight: 2,800 tbs.

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