Fleetwings XBT-12

06/23/2025. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "In 1939 Fleetwings Inc. received an order from the USAAC to build a two-seat basic trainer designated XBT-12, serialed 39-719. Described below, the XBT-12 was the first military aircraft of stainless steel construction, it was delivered to the USAAC at Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, on January 12, 1941. Acceptance testing began on April 21, resulting in an order for 200 BT-12s, serialed 42-3684 to 42-3883. However, only 24 were delivered, one in 1942, 23 in 1943, the remaining 176 were cancelled.

The XBT-12 was withdrawn from service and coded CL-26 it was diverted to ground maintenance training."

Wings: Low-wing cantilever monoplane. Wing section NACA 23016 tapering to NACA 4408. Structure entirely of spot and seam welded stainless steel including the covering of the first 35% of wing. The remaining portion, including the slotted flaps and ailerons, covered with fabric. Removable wing-tips.
Fuselage: Entirely of spot and seam welded stainless steel, structure consists of a built-up tubular framework with monocoque top and bottom decks aft of the cockpits. Covered with removable panels forward and with fabric on the sides aft.
Tail unit: Cantilever monoplane type. Stainless steel framework with stainless steel sheet covering on fixed surfaces and fabric on the movable surfaces.
Landing gear: Fixed cantilever type. Cleveland oleo-pneumatic shock-absorbers. Hydraulic wheel-brakes.
Power plant: One Pratt & Whitney Wasp-Junior R-985-25 nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engine rated at 450 hp at 2,300 rpm at sea level. Hamilton-Standard controllable-pitch airscrew. Fuel capacity 120 gal (454.3 l). Oil capacity 13 gal (49.2 l).
Accommodation: Tandem cockpits with dual controls under continuous transparent hooding with sliding covers over each seat. Full standard instruments and equipment for Basic Trainer classification.