The story
Consolidated drew this little trainer in 1928 as the Model 14, nicknamed Husky Junior for its resemblance to Consolidated's Husky Army trainer, then decided against selling to civilians. Company president Reuben Fleet bought the rights and built it under his own name, and Consolidated soon bought Fleet Aircraft and kept it as a subsidiary. The Model 2 was the Kinner K-5 version: 203 went to civil buyers, 16 to the Army Air Corps as PT-6s and 13 to Argentina. By 1930 flying schools across the country were buying it. The Navy took a handful as N2Y-1s with trapeze hooks, training pilots to hook onto the airships Akron and Macon.
On July 6, 1930, at the dedication of the San Mateo airport, future Hollywood stunt pilot Paul Mantz flew a Fleet 2 through 46 consecutive outside loops. The previous record was 19.
Quick answers
How do you identify a Model 2?
A small two-seat biplane with equal-span, single-bay staggered wings, a five-cylinder radial and tandem open cockpits. The giveaway is in the landing gear: the left wheel's radius rod has an open loop in the middle that the right one passes through. The fin is narrower than the later Model 7's.
What does a Model 2 sound like?
The slow, loping pop of a five-cylinder Kinner, a sound every 1930 flying school knew.
How fast is the Model 2?
Top speed is 91 kts (105 mph).
How many passengers does the Model 2 carry?
Up to 1. A typical layout is Two seats in tandem open cockpits.
How far can the Model 2 fly?
Range is about 304 nmi.
How big is the Model 2?
It is 20 ft 9 in long and 28 ft 0 in across the wings.
When did the Model 2 first fly?
Its first flight was in 1929.
How many Model 2s have been built?
203 civil, plus 16 Army PT-6, 5 to 6 Navy N2Y-1 and 13 for Argentina built.
How rare is a Model 2 in Bogey?
COMMON. Everyday traffic. You will catch plenty of these, and every first catch still counts. Your first Model 2 catch is worth 25 points.
