Rudder from Unknown Airplane...

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08-02-2011, 08:33 PM
pistolpeat32

1 Attachment(s)

Rudder from Unknown Airplane...

So, last weekend I was at the AirAdventure and bought the rudder (see the photo) at one of the tents.

I plan to hang it on my airplane themed living room wall (i.e. my mancave) as I thought it would make a good conversation piece. The previous owner acquired it from buying a pile of airplane parts somewhere in OK. He believes that it came from a WWII era airplane...either military or a heavy civilian aircraft. It stands about 69" high and is about 32" wide.

I was just wondering if anyone knew what kind of airplane it was from. Thanks....pistolpeat32
08-03-2011, 10:56 AM
FlyingRon

Hard to tell from the single picture, but it's also quite possible that you've got an elevator there not a rudder.
08-04-2011, 07:44 PM
michaelj2k

1 Attachment(s)

It's a Fairchild PT-19 rudder.Attachment 191
08-04-2011, 07:56 PM
Mike Switzer

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelj2k

It's a Fairchild PT-19 rudder.

If so it is missing a bit off the top :)
08-04-2011, 10:27 PM
pistolpeat32

Thanks for the responses...I've had a few people tell me that it may be half of an elevator.

The PT-19 is a good call, I checked the top of the rudder and there is indeed a piece missing from the top. I found a picture of the frame on the internet of someone restoring one and mine matches up pretty close.
08-05-2011, 07:16 AM
Chad Jensen

That's really cool! Keep us posted if you come to a conclusion on what it is. :cool:
08-05-2011, 07:55 PM
pistolpeat32

I was 95% sure it was a PT-19 (thanks to the Mikes above) until I looked at the PT-23 and 26. The rudders all seem very similar.

BTW...nice webiste Chad...
08-05-2011, 11:10 PM
Chad Jensen

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistolpeat32

BTW...nice webiste Chad...

Thank you! I hope to have the beginning of the Tailwind build site up by Monday!
08-19-2011, 09:54 PM
JimRice85

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistolpeat32

I was 95% sure it was a PT-19 (thanks to the Mikes above) until I looked at the PT-23 and 26. The rudders all seem very similar.

BTW...nice webiste Chad...

PT-19, 23 and 26 were virtually identical airframes from Fairchild. PT-19 had inverted inline Ranger engine where the PT- 23 had Continental. The PT-26, built for the RCAF was a PT-19 with canopy.