Fairchild PT-19 / M62 Cornell Aircraft Manuals Collection
Access the comprehensive technical documentation for the legendary Fairchild PT-19 Cornell—the primary trainer that taught tens of thousands of Allied pilots to fly during World War II. This digital collection includes essential flight manuals, maintenance guides, parts catalogs, and technical orders for the PT-19 and its variants, including the Canadian-built M62 Cornell.
What's Included
- Flight Manuals: Comprehensive pilot operating handbooks with performance charts, procedures, and operational limitations for PT-19, PT-19A, PT-19B, PT-26, and M62 variants
- Maintenance Documentation: Detailed service instructions, inspection schedules, and overhaul procedures
- Parts Catalogs: Illustrated parts breakdowns with part numbers and assembly diagrams
- Technical Orders: Military specifications, modifications, and service bulletins
- Wiring Diagrams: Electrical system schematics and troubleshooting guides
Historical Significance
The Fairchild PT-19 Cornell holds a distinguished place in aviation history as one of the most important primary trainers of World War II. Developed in 1940 as the U.S. Army Air Corps urgently expanded pilot training to meet wartime demands, the PT-19 became the aircraft in which countless American, British, Canadian, and Allied pilots took their first solo flights and learned the fundamentals of military aviation.
Designed by Fairchild Aircraft, the PT-19 featured an open-cockpit configuration, tandem seating for student and instructor, and a reliable 175-horsepower Ranger L-440 inline engine. Its docile handling characteristics, forgiving flight envelope, and rugged construction made it ideal for teaching basic flying skills to novice pilots. The aircraft's fabric-covered wings and welded steel tube fuselage were simple to maintain and repair—critical attributes for training operations.
The PT-19A variant introduced an enclosed canopy for instrument training, while the PT-19B featured minor improvements. When Ranger engine production couldn't meet demand, Fairchild developed the PT-23, powered by a Continental radial engine, and the winterized PT-26 Mosquito for Canadian service. In Canada, Fleet Aircraft built the type under license as the Cornell I and II (designated M62 in Canadian service), producing over 1,500 examples for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.
Between 1940 and 1944, over 7,700 PT-19 family aircraft were produced across multiple factories. These trainers operated at hundreds of airfields across the United States, Canada, and Allied nations, forming the backbone of primary flight training programs. Student pilots typically accumulated 60-70 hours in the PT-19 before advancing to basic trainers like the BT-13 Vultee Valiant and then on to advanced trainers.
After the war, thousands of surplus PT-19s entered civilian service as sport planes, crop dusters, and personal aircraft. Their gentle handling and low operating costs made them popular with private pilots and flying clubs. Today, hundreds of restored PT-19s and Cornells remain airworthy, beloved by warbird enthusiasts and honored as the aircraft that gave wings to the Greatest Generation.
Perfect For
- Aircraft restoration projects and vintage trainer maintenance
- Aviation historians researching WWII pilot training and primary trainers
- A&P mechanics working on PT-19 and Cornell airframes
- Museums and educational institutions preserving aviation heritage
- Collectors of military trainer and WWII aircraft documentation
- Warbird enthusiasts and vintage aircraft operators
Digital Download Benefits
Receive instant access to your manuals as high-quality PDF files. Search, bookmark, and reference critical technical information whenever you need it. Print specific sections for hangar use or keep the entire collection on your tablet for easy field access.
Preserve aviation history. Support your restoration. Download your Fairchild PT-19 / M62 Cornell manuals today.
Disclaimer: Sold for historical and reference purposes only. These original or reproduced manuals and blueprints are transferred to electronic format from active-duty archives. Not intended for current certification or repair work. Ideal for scholars, collectors, modelers, and aviation enthusiasts. We provide civil manuals and blueprints on obsolete aircraft, engines, and helicopters for proprietary reasons. Information is for reference only; completeness and accuracy are not guaranteed.
All trade names, trademarks, and manufacturer names are property of their respective owners. Reference to commercial products does not imply endorsement or affiliation.