The Curtiss-Wright AT-9: The Other Jeep

Even among WWII aviation buffs, the AT-9 is largely unknown.The author is well qualified to undertake this type of work, he has written a history of the B-18/B-23 bomber and the definitive history of a very well known type, the AT-6 trainer, which hasn't received enough coverage in books.A twin engine trainer, it was built in limited numbers, performed it mission and was promptly retired later in the war when the aircraft were tired and could be replaced with versions of combat types.The book does a good job charting the requirements and development of the "Jeep".Given the lack of printed material on the type, the author pulls out the stops and includes anything that helps put the Curtiss into context of the time, including discussions of USAAF training organizations and a brief look at the other types used for multi-engined training.Units and based that used/housed the Jeeps are detailed and former cadets give anecdotes on flying the type.He takes care to debunk some of the negative stories that have appeared over the about the AT-9.Finally, there are rare color photos of the type in period, color profiles and photos of the two survivors (one in pieces, one restored). If you have read all the books in the famous types, this will tell the story of the planes that made the pilots who flew the "greats" into history.

Excellent concise review of this all but forgotten airplane. Excellent source if you are building the Dora model of the AT-9.

This is a great volume if you’re interested in the stations where the AT-9 was used and or a brief history of the purpose designed multi-engine Advanced Trainers (AT) used by the US Army Air Forces during WWII.There are a few paragraphs interspersed throughout the book describing various accidents and incidents and the recollections of pilots who flew the airplane that also make for interesting reading. And the postwar history of the aircraft is not only probably as complete as one could expect at this date, but done in a way that keeps the airplane in context with the times. With 93 pages dedicated to Stations and Units the author provides an outstanding overview of the size the US Army aviation training program that is worthy of being a book onto itself.Regrettably the number of pages dedicated to the AT-9 itself are relatively sparse (And probably not the fault of the author.) Less 20 percent of the book is dedicated to the development and technical aspects of the aircraft out of 175 pages. So, you end up with nothing describing why some aircraft had redundant gyros on a center panel (page 43) and others did not (Page 45). Other pictures illustrate the controls located on the floor on pages 29 and 30 with no discussion of the difference in layout as to if they’re on a AT-9 or AT-9A.Overall? Based on the Amazon scale of not how the good the book is, but how much I enjoyed it, the book rates a solid three stars.Although partially disappointed by this particular volume, I remain an avid reader of Mr. Hagedorn and have a copy of his upcoming book on the O-47 on my list.As the only publication extant on the AT-9? It gets a “buy” recommendation.

Great book on a forgotten aircraft. If you want to know about the AT-9 then this books for you.