Tuskegee Airman Fairchild PT-19A – Collings Foundation Restoration Update

The Collings Foundation is currently in the midst of a renaissance, with a dozen or so vintage military aircraft currently under restoration to flying condition to join their already burgeoning fleet of airworthy warbirds. In amongst the more well known combat types under rebuild is a lowly trainer, a Fairchild PT-19A. However, this aircraft has some important history attached to it, which we will let the Foundation’s recent press release more properly describe…

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The Collings Foundation has started the restoration of Fairchild PT-19A serial number 43-31512, one of the last known primary trainer aircraft that served to train the Tuskegee Airmen, the first group of African-American military aviators and servicemen that fought in World War II. This historic aircraft will join our Boeing PT-17 Kaydet “Stearman” s/n 41-25454 that also served with the Tuskegee Airmen and will eventually be on display and offering flight training at the Collings Foundation headquarters in Stow, MA. The restoration is expected to take up to two years and has a budget of $150,000 to accomplish – and we need your help to bring this important aircraft back to the skies!

The Tuskegee Airmen were America’s first group of African-American military airmen, serving in the 332nd Fighter Group and 447th Bomber Group of the U.S. Army Air Force during WWII. These young men included pilots, navigators, bombardiers, maintenance and support staff, instructors, and all the personnel who kept the planes in the air. They were named after the location where they trained, Tuskegee Airfield near Tuskegee, Alabama.

The Tuskegee Airmen were subjected to racial discrimination, both within and outside the Army. They were denied military leadership roles and skilled training because many believed they lacked qualifications for combat duty. Before 1940, African-Americans were barred from flying for the U.S. military. Civil rights organizations and the press exerted pressure that resulted in the formation of the all African-American pursuit squadron. The Tuskegee Airmen overcame segregation and prejudice and became one of the most highly respected fighter groups of World War II.

The Collings Foundation acquired the last known remaining Fairchild PT-19A used to train Tuskegee pilots (Serial number 9504AE, 43-31512) and it is currently under restoration to flying condition. It appears, from the records, that this aircraft was manufactured by Aeronca, in Middletown OH and delivered to the USAAF on February 6th, 1944. It was assigned to the Primary Pilot Training School, Tuskegee AAF in Alabama on February 12th, 1944.

The restoration project is a 100-point, full restoration that will bring this historic aircraft back to factory-fresh condition. The restoration is being completed by Century Aviation of Wenatchee, WA who also completed our 1909 Curtiss Pusher and is also currently restoring our 1914 Curtiss Model F Flying Boat.

Restoring such an important aircraft is a time-consuming and expensive process. We can only accomplish this through your support and donations – so please help us get the PT-19A flying and “Keep ‘em Flying” for the education of our future generations by generously giving to our Tuskegee Airmen PT-19A Restoration Project Fund.

Donate to the Tuskegee Airmen PT-19A Restoration Project Fund

You can help support the restoration project through a tax-deductible donation to our project fund. Our goal for the project is $150,000  – so please give generously!

The Collings Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit educational foundation (Federal EIN: 04-2658294) and 100% of your donation goes to the restoration project fund. Donations of appreciated stock may also be made – please contact us by phone (below) for more details on doing that.

Donate over $1000 and FLY the PT-19!

Donations over $1000 will include the benefit of getting one of the first flight training positions on the PT-19 when it arrives in Stow, MA with Collings Foundation Executive Director and Flight Instructor Rob Collings. 

Donate Online:

Safe and Secure Online Donations by Credit Card can be made at the form located at this link (processing provided by Blackbaud)

Donate By Mail:

Send checks or money orders along with your contact information to:

Collings Foundation
Attn: PT-19 Restoration Fund
PO Box 248
Stow, MA 01775

Please make checks to “The Collings Foundation” and include “PT-19 Restoration Fund” in the memo.

Donate By Phone:

Call 978-562-9182 and speak to Ryan Keough, Director of Development (rkeough@collingsfoundation.org) to make a donation by credit card or appreciated stock.