Ryan PT-22 Recruit (ST-3 1721)

In 1934, T. Claude Ryan and his San Diego based Ryan Aeronautical Company, first ventured into the commercial trainer business with the S-T line of sport trainers. By 1939, due to the resounding popularity of the line, and of the Ryan School of Aeronautics, where the trainer was used to successfully train hundreds of civilian pilots, Ryan was awarded a development contract by the Army to design a military trainer version of the S-T. The Army Air Corps PT-22 Recruit embodied the ultimate refinements in this endeavor. It incorporated many modifications that resulted in a highly rugged and easy to maintain trainer for use by the military. These included replacement of the Menasco inline engine with a more powerful and dependable Kinner radial engine, a longer and wider cylindrical fuselage, and the removal of fairings and wheel spats from the landing gear. From 1941-1942 1,019 PT-22s were produced by Ryan Aeronautical. These trainers, and the Ryan Training Schools, located locally at Lindbergh Field in San Diego, Hemet, California and Tucson, Arizona, ultimately trained thousands of Army pilots during World War II.

The museum's aircraft, serial number 1721, was built in 1942 in San Diego, one of 1,250 ST-3 models, of which 1,019 received the designation PT-22. It was severely damaged in 1992 in an off-field landing, and underwent a major restoration process, under the direction of owner Michael D. Sullivan, as an Army Air Corps PT-22. It was generously donated to the museum by the Estate of Mr. Sullivan in 2005. It is currently exhibited at the entrance to the World War II Gallery.

Specifications

Engine: Kinner R-56
Span: 30 ft. 1 in. (9.17 m)
Length: 22 ft. 7 1/2 in. (6.9 m)
Height: 7 ft. 2 in. (2.18 m.)
Gross Weight: 1,860 lbs. ( 843.68 kg )
Cruising speed: 100 mph. (160.93 km/hr )
Range: 205 miles (329.9 km)
Service Ceiling: 15,500 ft. (4.724 m)
Crew: 2
Armament: None