That's quite a coincidence, My father, Vincent Howard Homer was an AT-9 instructor at Blythville.
Vincent H. Homer Jr.
Vincent Homer Jr., e-mail, 08.10.2017 05:27
My Dad, Vincent H. Homer was an instructor at Blythville in AT-9s. Several responses have noted the steep approach angle. Dad talked about landing at a Navy field in an AT-9 and the field commander berated him for the "hot dog" landing approach so Dad invited him, he was a pilot, to go up for a flight. After a couple of landings the Navy guy told Dad he wouldn't fly in an AT-9 again. Dad said you were literally standing on the rudder pedals during a power off descent. I'd still like a set of RC plans for an AT-9 if anyone has them.
Robertt Wegne r 42-g, e-mail, 10.04.2017 20:20
Graduated from AT-9's At Victorville, CA. in June 1941. When we had 200 hours total cade time we were made 2nd Lts, and I was assigned to B-25s fore one flight and then reassigned to B-24s, then onto the SWPA and into combat by Nov 1942.I liked the AT-9. We did lose 1 AT-9 on a night Take-off.
Bruce Byers, e-mail, 09.04.2016 01:24
April 8, 2016
My father Ed Byers, Class 42-A at Ellington Field near Houston Texas, trained in AT-9s beginning in late January 1942. In his letters to his parents he wrote that after checking out in the Cessna AT-17 and the Beechcraft AT-7, his flight of instructors concentrated on the AT-9. The other two advanced transitional trainers were moved to other airfields. I have several photographs of my father standing near and in AT-9s. He wrote that they were the “hottest” of the advanced trainers and certainly more demanding to fly. He called the AT-17 “Bobcat” a slow, lumbering, wood and metal boxcar with controls that demanded more muscle to fly. Slow flying and slow landing. Even so, more than 4,000 AT-17s and variations were built and stayed in service long after the war. The 800 odd AT-9s hardly survived the war and like the Martin B-26s were soon scrapped.
Dad eventually graduated from flying AT-9s to pilot instructor in Martin B-26s at Laughlin Field, Del Rio, Texas. Photos of the AT-9 on the ground and in flight depict it as a beautiful, streamlined aircraft. Dad did not mention having any problems with engine trouble. He did write that it required a faster landing speed and that one had to fly it right down to the runway. If airspeed fell below 90 mph it would sink like a rock. Its wingspan was less than that of an AT-6.
He was in the group of pilot instructors at Laughlin Field that had to contend with the earlier version of the B-26 before it had its wings lengthened and its vertical stabilizer increased in height. Once that was done, the aircraft was more forgiving during landings. Still, it was a very demanding medium bomber.
I would welcome any more anecdotes and information about AT-9 experiences since I am currently working on a manuscript about my father’s aviation training and instructor experiences in Texas between 1941 and 1945. Email address: ingbru2@verizon.net.
Earl Pilgrim, e-mail, 15.03.2015 19:43
We were class of 43 G assigned to single engine fighter from Marana az. We noted no single engine planes in the pattern as bused into the base . The driver said there were none . I was sure they had made a mistake wrong . At9 was a handful , and were pretty well worn out with lots of maintenance problems
Fritz Schuetzeberg, e-mail, 25.12.2013 21:22
I got an E mail from someone working on restoring a A T 9.I lost the name,but refered him to Roger Freeman. I sent my manuals to Bob's aircraft documentation about 10 years ago and he may still have them. 3114 Yukon Ave. Costa Mesa CA. 92626-- 714 9798058.They were in a box about 2'sq.If you get this comment please e-mail me. I suspect this aircraft is the one at Pima.
Fred Charles, e-mail, 07.07.2013 04:08
As a follow up - there were maintenance problems at times. On one night flight all light and communications went out. That was an almost blind landing. On last flight the right door popped loose -- it was a long slow decent timed perfectly to the field for landing. Handed the door to the Mechanic.
Fred Charles, e-mail, 07.07.2013 03:51
I was at Douglas AAF and trained in the AT-9. Loved flying it. Sent off to New Guiana and thought we were to fly P-38's - ended up in C-47s. Had great fun doing acrobatics. Didn't receive further state side training..Learned to fly from the old pilots overseas.
Dennis Myers, e-mail, 11.05.2013 19:58
My dad died in an AT-9 crash in July, 1944. He was station in Douglas, AZ, the crash occurred near Chloride AZ. Witness reports indicated they heard no engine noise. Don't know why they waited too long to get out of the plane - witness said the left door opened, flyer jumped out, but they were too low, chute didn't open right, he died in the fall. My dad went down with the plane - right door where he was apparently opened shortly before impact. This crash was researched quite a bit - let me know if you want any of the info I have found ( accident report, newspaper article, etc. DM
Seth Fuller, e-mail, 20.09.2012 22:02
My Graddad was an instructor at an air base in southern Georgia and he instructed students in the AT9 Jeep. I wonder if any of you knew him. His name is James W. Fuller. I have a picture of him in front of some students standing in front of an AT9.
Seth
Seth Fuller, e-mail, 20.09.2012 22:02
My Graddad was an instructor at an air base in southern Georgia and he instructed students in the AT9 Jeep. I wonder if any of you knew him. His name is James W. Fuller. I have a picture of him in front of some students standing in front of an AT9.
Seth
Debbie Kirk, e-mail, 08.07.2012 07:01
According to documents I recently came across, my uncle, Charles Jones, was killed in a AT9 plane crash in Altus, Oklahoma June 14, 1944, 13 days before receiving his wings and commission. It was the last check ride flying low in a formation at 200 ft with his instructor, Lt RC Swanson, when they struck an air pocket and their plane dropped and hit high tension wires. Charles was killed instantly - Lt Swamson died 3 days later. According to his funeral record, 11 men were killed in 9 days in similar crashes and the plane was grounded. Would like to confirm the records I have are accurate.
Vincent Homer, e-mail, 21.05.2012 09:04
I just read through the commenrts on the AT-9 and found some interesting coincidences. My dad was an instructor in AT-9 , I believe in Blythville. He told of losing an engine and barely making it back to the field, ruining the good engine in the process. One of the commenters mentions that his dad, Vincent Howard, flew ST-9s. My dad's name was Vincent Howard Homer.
Does anyone out there know of any RC plans for the AT-9? If so, let me know at vhhomer@hotmail.com
Harold C. Gibson, e-mail, 16.05.2012 23:41
I instructed in AT-7, 8-9-10-17 B-10, B-12,B-18,B-25 at Barksdale, Mather,Luke ( special class for cadets going into P-38s)& Douglas. The AT-7 was good, but the AT-9 was the best of all.
De Hill, e-mail, 22.03.2012 01:43
A couple of more things which were told to me by an old instructor I worked with, the late Harding H. Williams (Uncle Willie) Uncle Willie told me that the AT-9's were so difficult to fly that none were released for flyable sale. Some were given to aviation schools, and the others were scrapped.
Uncle Willie also told me that if you lost an engine on an AT-9, the other engine took you straight to the crash site!
They wouldn't fly on one engine.
joe, e-mail, 19.02.2012 15:46
IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFO, PLEASE RESPOND. RECENTLY A MODEL WAS FOUND AT MCCLELLAN AFB, NOW SAC COUNTY OWNED, OF A AT-9. IT IS CONSTRUCTED OF WIRE,SOLDERED TOGETHER TO PRESENT A VERY ACCURATE REPLICA. SINCE THE BASE HAS BEEN CLOSED SINCE 2000, THERE IS NO HISTORY ON WHO MADE IT.I'M CLEANING IT UP TO DISPLAY AT THE VA HOSP @ MATHER. ANY INFO PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
De Hill, e-mail, 19.02.2012 07:25
Spartan School of Aeronautics (mechanics school section) obtained 3 AT-9's from surplus at the end of WW2. One was cut up and used for training aids, one was used in line maintenace training, and one was used as parts. The older instructors called them "Humpback Hawks".
They two survivors were given to the USAF Museum in the late 1970's-early 1980's. The USAF sent a C-130 down to spartan, demated the wings and tail feathers ,engines and flew them up to the museum. I was teaching Aircraft Mechanics courses at Spartan during the middle 1970's - early 1980's.
Jim Davis, e-mail, 07.02.2012 03:39
I was one of 30 Class of 43J @ Moody Field, Valdosta Ga to train in AT-9 supposidly to go into P38. That did not happen. I remember a gunsight resticted forward visibility and a few were lost flying into ground during gunnery and we were supposed to be the last class in AT9 at Moody. A quick snap of the yoke could generate a high speed stall. The instructor told us if we had to bail out we had to open the doors at the same time. With one open the other door could not be opened at high speed?????
William Oldham, e-mail, 11.11.2011 14:16
I goofed on the email address above. It is crossram5@msn.com. Thank you, Bill
William Oldham, e-mail, 11.11.2011 14:13
I built a 60" model of the AT-9 about 25 years ago and flew it in control line competition about 25 years ago. I'm now drawing plans for one with a span of 80" at 2" per foot. I hope to detail it highly and put it in a museum someday. George Gobel was an AT-9 instructor at a base in Oklahoma during. The plane I did was T-58 which we've all seen photos of on the net. I think my model was wrong because it appears that the cowling on the plane had lightly colored rings around it. If anyone out there knows where that plane was based and could identify the color of the rings around the cowl, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Bill
Edgar A Walsh Class 42-H, e-mail, 23.02.2011 08:23
Iflew the AT-9 at Lubbuck,Texas ,early "42"Graduated Sept.6 same year. It was a great airplane and fun to fly,after you reco vered from your first power off gear down full flaps landing.Not to worry,if YOU looked thru the slotted wd.just above the regular windshield,the runway was waiting for you,ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.Maintain air speed=110-120. Best of Luck, Ed
Joe D. Reynolds, e-mail, 12.01.2011 04:03
In 1946 I was 16 years old and lived near Muskogee, Okla. The local airport, Hatbox Field, was covered with the AT-9's Jeep trainers. Every one of the airplanes and engines were chopped up for scrap within a relatively short time. I remember standing at the fence watching them being chopped up. I do not know if any exist today.
Bill Haase, e-mail, 18.11.2010 02:54
I flew the AT-9 at Lubbock Army air base in 1942. Pilot Class 42-I. It was great fun flying dog fights. On power off landings you viewed the air strip through the upper window! Sorry there are so few around now. Good luck, Bill
al handley 44F, e-mail, 06.10.2010 20:47
Flew AT-9's at Altus, OKlahoma- agreat airplane,You just had to fly it. A dead stick landing was done at a 45 degree angle as there was little if any gliding rattio. al
haginshogan@usamedia.tv, 28.04.2010 22:19
Mather Field, just outside of Sacramento, was first dedicated to twin-engine advanced training. Starting in spring 1941 with AT-6's, then in l942 to AT-9's/UC-78's and finally to B-25's from 1942 to 1944.Multi=engine training moved do Douglas AAF in 1944 when Mather became a heavy bomber base it was also a navigator training base with AT-7's starting in 1941.
Steve Passow, e-mail, 26.04.2010 18:31
My Father-in-law Lt. Col. Edmund Lutz completed his advanced multi-engine training in the AT-9 at Pampa, Tx in 1943. He went on the become highly decorated B-17 Commander 379th Bomb Group Triangle K 525th Squadron Kimbolton, Eng. with 30 completed missions over Germany.
W.C. Marckhoff, e-mail, 27.01.2010 04:49
I was a pilot instructor at DouglasAAF in 1943 and 1944.The AT-9 was a great airplane and fun to fly and instruct in.It was used in conjunction with the UC-78.
cecil j. poss, 26.01.2010 18:44
I flew the AT-9 in advanced training at George field, Il in April and March 1943. I graduated on the 25th of March. I think the field is now known as Lawrenceville Il which is just west of Vicennes. It was a nice plane and much better than the AT-10 which was also there. They alternated the 9's and 10 by classes. I was in 43C.I was in WWii, Korea and Vietnam. Last a/c flown in the USAF was the RF 101 reccy bird. Am 88 and still flying. Cheers.
Dave Hanst, e-mail, 07.12.2009 07:11
I flew the AT-9 in advanced flying school at Columbus Army Airbase in 1943. It was a great flying machine, landed pretty fast, terrific for formation flying. The wing was so short you could almost spit over the end from the cockpit.
John M. Kuharic, s/sgt, e-mail, 23.07.2009 23:56
I crewed this bird during 1943 at Williams Air Base, AZ. We had Lycomings R-680s, 300 hp. A great twin advanced trainer
Ray Scully, e-mail, 31.01.2009 18:30
My Dad climed to have trained in an AT-9 at Blytheville, Arkansas in November & December 1943 as a USAAF Cadet class 44A. He later went on to Co-Pilot transition at Fort Meyers, Fla
Steve Howard, e-mail, 20.01.2009 23:33
My father said he flew the AT-9 for one month during flight instructor school at Kelly Field in San Antonio. He later taught at Altus Oklahoma in the AT-9 and UC78. I believe this was 1943 to 1945. He name is Vincent Howard. Thanks
Fritz Schuetzeberg, e-mail, 10.12.2008 22:30
AT-9s were at Brady and Pampa Texas. The AT9 at the Air Force Museum, I plaied on as a kid in a junk yard in Lockhart,Texas, in 1948 and was suprised to see Roger Freeman had restored it. I have a 2"to the foot very scale model I have been flying for 16 years. I also have all the manuals for the aircraft.
Bob Abresch, 15.07.2008 02:25
Hi Iwas at Blythville,Airfield,Arkansas flying the AT 10. They took all the AT 10s away and brought in AT 9s. We were told at the time that we were the only base with AT9s and we were training to go into P38s. They lied and we ended up as co-pilots in the B-17. The AT 9 was a great plane and we did acrobactics in it. Don't know if that was legal or not but my instructor did them with us so we just figured it was OK
W.H. Jackson, e-mail, 18.05.2008 03:23
Altus Oklahoma twin engine advanced flew AT-9's.
Robert Dawson, e-mail, 19.04.2008 01:22
I was a crew chief on a AT-9A during WW2 at Douglas Arizona. It was considered a fine aircraft and my ship never gave me any problems. Serial number 42-56913.All the "9's in our squadron had large numbers painted in red to indicate they were instrument aircraft.
David Curtis, e-mail, 23.12.2007 02:09
Does any one have any info one which Army Air Fields had Curtiss AT-9s based there for training units?
David Curtis, e-mail, 23.12.2007 02:09
Does any one have any info one which Army Air Fields had Curtiss AT-9s based there for training units?
Bill Tucker, e-mail, 05.09.2007 23:59
David. I can't ad any info re Y-225 , - but relish vivid memories and respect for the AT-9 which I flew in advanced at William's Field, July/May '43 before going on to P-38s which was a relative piece of cake after the AT-9 !
Good luck with your project !, - Bill
David Curtis, e-mail, 24.04.2007 14:24
I need info about this airplane. Collect-Aire makes a model of the AT-9; the aircraft depicted on the front of the box of this model has red and white cowling stripes, and the unit number Y-255 on the side of the fuselage. The overall finsh is bare metal. Does anyone one have any info on which training squadron or unit used these markings?
