The
Ryan PT-22 Recruit began as a design for a sport trainer in the
civilian sector. It evolved into the PT-22 Recruit. The PT-22 was the
first monoplane trainer for the US Army. One of the distinctive
features of the PT-22 is the Kinner five-cylinder radial engine that
has a very unique sound. That sound would later earn them the nickname
"Maytag Messershmitts". The US Navy also flew them and dubbed them the
NR-1. The Netherlands called them the NR-3. Over 1,200 of them were
made during WWII. Today, about 80 are still flying. This one was built
in 1941 and is operated by the Commemorative Air Force Inland
Empire Wing
based at Riverside Airport. They have had this PT-22 since 1992.
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