PT-11 “Husky”

A Transitional Trainer for a New Era of Army Aviation

Introduction

The Consolidated PT-11, known by its company name “Husky,” represented the next evolutionary step in Army primary trainers after the PT-1 and PT-3. Developed in the early 1930s, the PT-11 incorporated aerodynamic refinements, structural improvements, and engine upgrades intended to create a safer, more reliable platform for new pilots entering an aviation landscape that was rapidly modernizing.

Although it never reached the production numbers of the PT-1 or PT-3, the PT-11 program (including all its variants) played a key role in advancing Consolidated’s engineering capabilities during the interwar period.

Why the PT-11 Was Developed

By 1929–1930, the U.S. Army Air Corps needed a new trainer that could:

generate more stable handling characteristics
support more powerful and reliable powerplants
address structural lessons learned from earlier trainers
prepare pilots for faster, heavier, and more advanced aircraft

The PT-3 had served the Army well, but aviation technology was moving quickly. Consolidated responded with a series of experimental and pre-production prototypes that became the PT-11 family.

Design Characteristics

The PT-11 retained the general two-seat, tandem-cockpit layout of earlier trainers but incorporated several advancements:

strengthened fuselage and wing structures
cleaner aerodynamic lines for improved efficiency
revised landing gear geometry
improved pilot visibility
compatibility with multiple engine types depending on the variant

Each experimental change helped the Air Corps refine its training requirements for the coming decade.

Variants of the PT-11 “Husky”

The PT-11 was not a single aircraft but a family of testbeds, each representing incremental improvements.

PT-11 (Prototype)

Initial prototype delivered for evaluation
Powered by the 170–200 hp range engines depending on testing phase
Served primarily as a stability and handling test platform

PT-11A

Featured structural modifications and control-surface refinements
Improved longitudinal stability
Introduced aerodynamic fairings and minor wing changes

PT-11B

Continued refinement of the airframe
Enhanced engine reliability and cooling
Strengthened components for higher load tolerance

PT-11C

Uprated powerplant
Additional improvements based on Air Corps test feedback
More robust flight characteristics for student pilots

PT-11D

Final and most advanced version of the Husky line
Incorporated all prior refinements plus further engine and systems improvements
Considered the peak evolution of Consolidated’s interwar primary trainers

While none of the PT-11 models were produced in mass quantities, the continuous iteration process strengthened Consolidated’s engineering expertise and directly informed later designs.

The PT-11’s Role in Pilot Training

Though never as widely deployed as the PT-1 “Trusty” or PT-3, the PT-11 served an important function:

refining the Army’s expectations for a next-generation trainer
testing new structural and aerodynamic concepts
giving engineers and test pilots a platform to evaluate performance under varied conditions
contributing design lessons that would flow into later aircraft across multiple categories

The PT-11 represented Consolidated’s commitment to constant improvement—even between major production contracts.

Legacy of the “Husky”

The PT-11 marks a transitional moment in military training aircraft:

bridging the gap between wood-and-fabric biplanes and the more sophisticated trainers that appeared in the mid-1930s
demonstrating Consolidated’s ability to experiment rapidly
influencing the training philosophies that shaped pre-WWII pilot instruction

Though overshadowed by the more famous PT-1 and PT-3, the PT-11 “Husky” remains an important part of Consolidated’s developmental history.

Explore More Training Aircraft

Return to the Hangar to view additional aircraft categories:

PT-1 “Trusty”
PT-3
Other Training Aircraft