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Goodfellow Air Force Base in Tom Green County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
 

BT-13A Valiant

Dedicated 15 February 1994

 
 
BT-13A Valiant Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 1, 2007
1. BT-13A Valiant Marker
Inscription.
Span: 42 Feet • Speed: 140 MPH
Length: 29 Feet • Ceiling: 16,500 Feet
Cost: $20,000 • Engine: 1 Pratt & Whitney R-985

Manufactured by Vultee, the BT-13 Valiant almost completely dominated the AAF Basic Pilot Training program during WWII. Called the "Vibrator" by the pilots who flew it, the Valiant arrived at Goodfellow in August 1941 and continued as the chief basic trainer at the post until replaced in that role by the AT-6 Texan in late 1944.

Goodfellow's Valiant (S/N 42-04130) bears the paint scheme and markings typical of the BT-13's that one filled the skies over Goodfellow. However, its tail number has been altered to represent an aircraft from Goodfellow's 49th School Squadron. This was the training squadron commanded by Lt Col Leon R. Vance, a Medal of Honor recipient. Displaying this aircraft, the base honors not only Goodfellow's cadre of instructor pilots but the 8,800 pilots who trained in the Valiant at Goodfellow.

This aircraft is on loan from the US Air Force Museum system.
 
Erected 1994 by United States Air Force.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & SpaceEducationIndustry & CommerceWar, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.
 
Location. 31° 25.868′ 
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N, 100° 24.802′ W. Marker is in Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, in Tom Green County. Marker is at the intersection of Schertz St. and Pollard Street, on the right when traveling north on Schertz St.. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Goodfellow AFB TX 76908, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. T-28A Trojan (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Charles B. Metcalfe (about 700 feet away); Chaplain, Major General Robert Preston Taylor (approx. 0.2 miles away); EC-47 ARDF Operations in Southeast Asia (approx. ¼ mile away); Goodfellow Field (approx. ¼ mile away); T-6G Texan (approx. ¼ mile away); RQ-1K Predator (approx. 0.4 miles away); RF-4C Phantom II (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Goodfellow Air Force Base.
 
More about this marker. Access is restricted since marker is on an active United States Air Force base.
 
BT-13A Valiant image. Click for full size.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 1, 2007
2. BT-13A Valiant
BT-13A Valiant image. Click for full size.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 1, 2007
3. BT-13A Valiant
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 2,436 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on October 3, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 19, 2024