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This is a real blueprint; An engineering drawing, made directly from a vellum
master - Measuring a generous 42"x 30".
History of the NORTH AMERICAN AT-6 "TEXAN"
The AT-6 advanced trainer was one of the most widely used aircraft in history.
Most AAF fighter pilots trained in AT-6s prior to graduation from flying school.
Many of the "Spitfire" and "Hurricane" pilots in the Battle of Britain trained
in Canada in "Harvards," the British version of the AT-6. To comply with
neutrality laws,
← Acknowledgements and Bibliography
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Continued from above... with
neutrality laws, U.S. built Harvards were flown north to the border and were
pushed across.
In 1948, Texans still in USAF service were redesignated as T-6s when the AT,
BT and PT aircraft designations were abandoned. To meet an urgent need for close
air support of ground forces in the Korean Conflict, T-6s flew "mosquito
missions" spotting enemy troops and guns and marking them with smoke rockets for
attack by fighter-bombers.
While used primarily as a trainer, many of the foreign models did
see combat, one Wirraway being credited with splashing a Japanese
Zero (perhaps a bit lucky)
In Korea, they served as forward air controllers with the 6147th
Tactical Control Group. The rear seat was occupied by an observer,
and the craft was equipped with smoke rockets to mark targets for
fighter bombers.
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Variously called the Texan (USAAF), Harvard (RAF), Yale,
I-Bird, Mosquito, Wirraway (Australia), T-6 and SNJ (USN), the AT-6
appeared in 1940, a derivation of North American's NA-16 design drawn up
for the 1937 Air Corp competition (which was won by the NA-16
incidentally). In all, over 17,000 aircraft were produced, not taking
into account the numbers rebuilt from existing airframes, or others that
used the AT-6 technology, such as the P-64 or Boomerang.
The AT-6 Texan became the classroom for the majority of the Allied
pilots who flew in World War II, and trained several hundred thousand
pilots in 34 different countries. It's basic design was as a trainer,
with the characteristics of a high speed fighter, and was well suited to
the intermediary task of training pilots before letting them loose in an
actual fighter aircraft. Although not as fast as a fighter, it was easy
to maintain and repair, had more maneuverability and was easier to
handle. A pilot's airplane, it could roll, Immelmann, loop, spin, snap,
and vertical roll. It was used to train pilots in all aspects of
tactical operations, such as dog-fighting, ground strafing, carrier
landings, and bombardment. It also included the capacity for fixed and
flexible guns, cameras, and just about any other device that the
military required.
Widely exported, the Texan served with at least 55 air forces worldwide.
Civilian models were, and still are, used as pylon racers, sport
aircraft, mail carrier, and even as an air-liner. She saw action in
World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, as well as dozens of brush-fire wars
around the world including Algeria, the Congo, Biafra, the Middle East
and throughout Latin America. Despite its impressive war record, the
Texan is best known as a trainer, and is affectionately know as 'PILOT
MAKER'. In the words of one airman ''The best machine ever built to turn
gasoline into noise'.
The North American Texan trainer is one of the most important aircraft
of all time and is universally recognized. First built as the NA-16 in
1935, the Texan was in continual production for nearly 10 years and in
active use for more than five decades. Primarily used as a trainer, the
Texan remains a favorite among Warbird collectors around the world.
Few aircraft make the jump from mere machine to legend, and the AT-6
Texan can stand proud beside the likes of Sopwith Camel, the B-17 Flying
Fortress, B-24 Liberator, Spitfire, or P-51 Mustang. |
Summary: NORTH AMERICAN AT-6
"TEXAN"
The North American Texan trainer is one of the most important aircraft
of all time and is universally recognized. First built as the NA-16 in
1935, the Texan was in continual production for nearly 10 years and in
active use for more than five decades. Primarily used as a trainer, the
Texan remains a favorite among warbird collectors around the world. |
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