Valiant Effort Foundation
Preserving the past for the future.
Best when viewed in Landscape Mode.
Latest News
December 15, 2025
Tule Fog. It’s a radiation fog that develops when high relative humidity, calm winds, and rapid cooling come together to form a rather dense soup that hangs low to the ground. And because winter temps aren’t known for high temps, it tends to hang around… for a LONG time. The Central California Valley is famous for it.
And of course, Livermore Airport is in that zone.
Tule Fog makes for flights that start later in the day, if they start at all. We’ve seen days where the flight crew arrives for a launch at 11a, only to find themselves still twiddling their thumbs a couple of hours later. Patience is the key for those moments. Check your phone for email, head across the field to Beeb’s for a snack, or (if you’re Magz) break out the polisher and make Annie even more sparklier. Haha.
“This is my good side.”
The payoff is when the fog finally burns off. Patience is rewarded with an aerial view where the low lying stratus has engulfed the rest of the valley like some sort of puffy sea, with the rising peaks of the Diablo Range rising from that mass like islands on an ocean. It’s an amazing sight that’s beautiful in a very tranquil way.
There are some more photos of our Annie operating out over the Tule Fog in a recent photo mission that we just did. Check out our gallery for them.
Thank you for visiting Valiant Effort LLC, a grassroots organization dedicated to the maintenance and operation of a 1941 Vultee BT-13A Valiant, a military basic flight trainer used by all the armed forces in the United States in World War 2. Our current mission goals are as follows:
Restoration
Over the past five years, Valiant Effort has been fully committed to restoring our BT-13A to an airworthy state. Hundreds of man hours through a cadre of dedicated and experienced mechanics have been invested in this ongoing project thus far, and we are quickly closing in on our first live engine tests! Our ultimate goal is to return the aircraft to a flyable state so that it may resume making appearances at air shows and other public venues.
“Living Exhibit” Education
Once the restoration has been satisfactorily completed and the aircraft has been certified to fly, our BT-13A will continue to do what she has done best - to educate the general public on HOW World War 2 aviators and aviatrixes in the US earned their wings prior to deployment for combat or other auxiliary duties during that timeframe. Nothing comes close to accomplishing that than to physically see and touch one of those trainers such as our BT-13A.
Now Available
Greg Gibson of Props & Gears has created a collection of merchandiset celebrating Annie and all other BT-13s around the world. All set an actual image of ol’ 59842 against a weathered American flag, and includes the Vultee Aircraft logo. Additionally, it highlights our partnership with the Association of Professional Warbird Operators, whom we are eternally grateful for their support during this restoration. Please visit the page here for your Annie themed merch
A portion of the proceeds from its sale will go directly to the restoration/operation costs of Annie. It will be offered in a variety and colors and sizes so that almost every supporter can proudly display their love and affection for their favorite Valiant!
Monthly Newsletter
For the fastest way to catch up on the current situation with our BT-13’s restoration, click on the following links.
January 2024February 2024March 2024April 2024May 2024June 2024July 2024August 2024September 2024October 2024November 2024December 2024January 2025February 2025March 2025April 2025Valiant Effort LLC would like to extend a warm “thank you” to the following organizations for their continued interest in our project. Please help us return the favor in visiting their websites.
