The story
T. Claude Ryan's ST sport trainer first flew in 1934, and the Army bought its first ones for trials in 1939. The PT-22 followed in 1941 with a 160 hp Kinner radial, and production machines lost their wheel spats to keep maintenance simple. Ryan built 1,023 PT-22s in 1941 and 1942, plus 25 more as PT-22As. Cadets said the five-cylinder Kinner sounded like a washing machine, so the Recruit became the Maytag Messerschmitt.
Twenty-five were ordered as floatplane trainers for the Netherlands East Indies. The islands fell to Japan in 1942 before the sale went through, so they went to the US Army as PT-22As instead.
Quick answers
How do you identify a PT-22 Recruit?
Low wing held up by bracing wires, with two open cockpits in tandem on a metal fuselage. The Kinner's cylinders stick out around the nose, so it looks bristly from the front. The main gear legs are bare, with no wheel spats. A civilian Ryan ST-A looks close but has a slim inline Menasco engine and spatted wheels.
What does a PT-22 Recruit sound like?
A crackling, popping five-cylinder Kinner that one pilot spelled out as pockety, pockety, pockety.
How fast is the PT-22 Recruit?
Top speed is 109 kts (125 mph).
How many passengers does the PT-22 Recruit carry?
Up to 0. A typical layout is Student and instructor in tandem open cockpits.
How far can the PT-22 Recruit fly?
Range is about 201 nmi.
How big is the PT-22 Recruit?
It is 22 ft 5 in long and 30 ft 1 in across the wings.
When did the PT-22 Recruit first fly?
Its first flight was in 1934 (Ryan ST).
How many PT-22 Recruits have been built?
1,048 (PT-22 and PT-22A) built.
How rare is a PT-22 Recruit in Bogey?
UNCOMMON. Not rare, but not every day either. Worth looking up for. Your first PT-22 Recruit catch is worth 50 points.
