North American AT-6 Photo Album No. 1

North American Harvard in flight.

 

Pilots running to board a long line of North American Harvard IIA aircraft (a variant of the North American T-6 Texan) at a Royal Air Force Flying Training school during World War Two (Photo by Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)

 

Three American Harvard IIA trainer aircraft (a variant of the North American T-6 Texan) flying in formation across a cloudy sky at a Royal Air Force Flying Training school during World War Two. (Photo by Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)

 

Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park, Allied Air Commander in Chief in the Middle East, taxiing along a runway in his new Harvard aircraft, March 1944. (Photo by Keystone Features/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

 

September 1940: A trainee fighter pilot climbing into the cockpit of a Harvard aircraft for a training flight at a RAF station in England (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)

 

23rd May 1940: British Royal Air Force men train in an American Harvard I aircraft. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)

 

Circa 1945: An RAF North American Harvard advanced trainer, also known to the Americans as the AT-6 Texan, this early example was based at RAF Tern Hill Flying Training School. The photograph has been crudely ‘touched-up’ around the port wheel and shows evidence of the use of a lens hood. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

 

North American Harvard Mk. Is (N7140, N7018 and P5894) of 2 Service Flying Training School, in flight, 1940. (Photo by Charles E. Brown/Royal Air Force Museum/Getty Images)

 

The North American Harvard, 1941. The North American T-6 Texan, American single-engined trainer aircraft, known as the Harvard outside the US, used during World War II and into the 1970s. From "The Royal Air Force in Pictures", 2nd edition, by World War I flying ace Major Oliver Stewart. [Country Life Ltd, London, 1941]. Artist Unknown. (Photo by The Print Collector via Getty Images)

 

A Harvard Trainer aircraft being used to train Royal Canadian Air Force pilots at a training center in Canada circa 1940. (Photo by Ivan Dmitri/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

 

A Harvard Trainer aircraft being used to train Royal Canadian Air Force pilots at a training centre in Canada circa 1940. (Photo by Ivan Dmitri/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

 

The first North American Harvard I, N7000. From left: H.C. Luttman, Inspector-in-Charge AID; Sqn Ldr R. Addams, RAF Representative; J.H. ‘Dutch’ Kindelberger, President, North American Aircraft; J.L. Atwood, Vice President, North American Aircraft; E.R. Breech, Chairman of the Board, North American Aircraft and H.C.B. Thomas, RTO.

 

North American Harvard II, BD132, of the RAF.

 

The first production North American NA-16-1 Harvard I serial number N7000. Photo taken with Orthochromatic film, rendering the Yellow overall color of the aircraft as a dark grey.

 

RAF 6th Motor Transport Company convoy of North American Harvard trainers assembled at the RAF base at Glasgow, Scotland for transport to England. 11 November 1943.

 

Movie "Captains of the Clouds", No. 2 S.F.T.S. Uplands. Harvards on Airfield # 3053, 3043, 2885, 17 July 1941. AirHistory.net photo.

 

North American Harvard IIA,2600, RCAF, Ontario, Canada, 1943. AirHistory.net photo.

 

North American Harvard II, 2601, RCAF, Ontario, Canada, 1943. AirHistory.net photo.

 

North American Harvard IIA, 1329, RCAF, Ontario, Canada, c. 1942-45. AirHistory.net photo.

 

North American Harvard IIA, 2826, RCAF, Canada, c. 1942-45. AirHistory.net photo.

 

North American Harvard IIA, 2600, RCAF, No. 2 SFTS, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, 1943. AirHistory.net photo.

 

North American Harvard IIA, 2692, RCAF, No. 2 SFTS, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, 1943. AirHistory.net photo.

 

North American Harvard II, NZ1066, RNZAF, New Zealand, c. 1944-45. AirHistory.net photo.

 

Even in its primary role as a trainer, the Texan could be armed. There was provision for a cowl-mounted Browning .30 caliber machine gun for gunnery training, with some versions mounting an additional Browning in the starboard wing. Here armorers load the cowl guns in preparation for a training mission, the photograph providing an excellent view of engine and propeller details.

 

The rear crew position could also be fitted with a .30 caliber Browning on a flexible mount for training aerial gunners, as seen here.

 

North American’s trainer spawned a bewildering variety of sub-types and related designs, many with additional modifications. In the U.S. Navy the type was called the SNJ, in Britain and the Commonwealth it was known as the Harvard. Figures vary depending on what exactly is being counted, but one estimate places total production at 15,495. Seen here are U.S. Navy SNJs at Naval Air Station Miami.

 

Navy training aircraft often carried yellow wings to increase visibility. While efforts were made to keep the aircraft clean, worn paint was generally not touched up and former front-line aircraft used as trainers were not generally repainted which resulted in some interesting color and marking combinations on the flight lines of training facilities. This SNJ at NAS Miami appears to have a worn application of Blue Gray on her fuselage.

 

Here a sailor performs brake maintenance on an SNJ, the angle of the photograph providing a view of the wheel well interior. AMM2c E.L. Rodgers, U.S. Navy, repairs the broken landing gear of a North American SNJ Texan training plane at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia, on 20 April 1945; the angle of the photograph providing a view of the wheel well interior.    

Here a team of WAVE mechanics have removed the cowling of this SNJ, allowing the engine and accessory bay detail to be seen. The engine is a Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp.

 

Cadet L. Dietz entering an North American SNJ Texan at the Naval Air Base in Corpus  Christi, Texas. Many Texans in the training role were kept exceptionally clean, as can be seen in the mirror-like polish on the fuselage of this example.

 

“Bridget SQDN Baby” was used as a hack by a fighter squadron, and is seen at Mount Farm, England. Whether her acquisition by the unit was official or otherwise is not known.

 

A US Navy SNJ in an interesting paint scheme. Some modelers look for photographs of WWII-era SNJs in the elusive “Three Color” graded scheme, but this is not one of those. This SNJ appears to be in the Blue Gray over Light Gray scheme with a Light Gray vertical tail, and a replacement port wing in Non-Specular Sea Blue, likely with White undersurfaces.

 

A Navy Lieutenant in front of an SNJ-2 in a Yellow Wings scheme. Note the immaculate condition of the aircraft and paint job with a high-gloss finish.

 

Another view of the same SNJ-2, this time with a civilian (father of the Navy Lieutenant?).

 

Another Navy SNJ warms up its engine. It wears an overall Natural Metal Finish with Orange Yellow wing bands and a white rudder. Many Navy trainers were given Orange Yellow markings or overall paint schemes to make them more visible in the air and warn other aviators of their pilots’ trainee status, resulting in the nickname “Yellow Peril” being applied to the trainers. National Archives photo 80-G-K-13381. A U.S. Navy North American SNJ Texan training aircraft running its engine while receiving maintenance at a Naval Air Station during World War II. Note the Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3 Yellow Peril at left. The location may be Naval Air Station Miami, Florida.

 

USAAF pilot trainees posing with an AT-6 for the camera. Literally hundreds of thousands of pilots earned their qualifications on the Texan in more than three decades of service. This photograph offers an excellent view of one of the many canopy framing configurations carried by the Texan.

 

In Commonwealth service the type was known as the Harvard. The Canada Car and Foundry built a total of 555 Harvard IVs under the designation NA-186, many of which trained pilots for the RCAF.

 

A USAAF Texan displaying markings typical after May 1942, when the red center of the national insignia was removed to prevent confusion with the Japanese Hinomaru. The “U.S. ARMY” lettering under the wings was dropped to speed up production, but was generally not removed from aircraft if already applied.

 

North American NA-57-P-2 French Naval Air Force. Ordered on February 21, 1939, the NA-57 was an improved version of the basic NA-16 trainer series and similar to the USAAC NA-23 BT-9B. It had a fixed tailwheel undercarriage and was powered by a 400 hp Wright R-975 Whirlwind radial engine. The French AF bought 200 aircraft (c/n 57-1253 to 57-1452), these were operated in the Et2 (Entrainement biplace, two-seat trainer) category, while the French Navy obtained thirty aircraft (c/n 57-1518 to 57-1547), which were operated in the P2 (Perfectionement biplace, advanced two-seat) category.

 

North American NAA-57-P-2 Armée de l'Air.

 

A French North American NA-57 in Luftwaffe service after the German occupation of France.

 

The North American NAA-64-P2 was built for France 1939-1940. After their surrender, most ended up in Luftwaffe service as flight trainers.

 

North American NAA-64-P2.

 

North American AT-6 Texan.

 

North American AT-6 Texan, Goodfellow Field, San Angelo, Texas.

 

North American AT-6 Texan.

 

North American AT-6 Texan.

 

North American AT-6 Texan.

 

North American AT-6 Texan.

 

North American AT-6 Texan.

 

North American AT-6 Texan.

 

Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. standing on the wing of a North American AT-6 Texan (522) preparing to climb into the cockpit. Davis is wearing a B-3 flying suit.

 

North American AT-6F-NT Texan 44-81970 TA-970.

 

North American AT-6 Texan 41-17154 SP311; Spence Army Air Field, Georgia, 1944.

 

North American Aviation AT-6 Texan from Dallas production on convertible skis, early 1942.

 

WASP pilots with North American AT-6 Texan advanced trainers.

 

North American AT-6 Texan s/n 42-805 code 1111.

 

North American AT-6 Texans on flight line with control tower; Spence Army Air Field, 1944.

 

North American AT-6 Texan code SP3(??) with student and instructor; Spence Army Air Field, 1944.

 

North American AT-6 Texan flight line; Dallas, Texas.

 

North American AT-6 Texan trainers US Army.

 

North American AT-6 Texans; Spence Army Air Field, 1943.

 

North American BC-2. Similar to BC-1A and AT-6, modified from NA-36 with details from NA-44, three-bladed propellers.

 

North American BC-2. Similar to BC-1A and AT-6, modified from NA-36 with details from NA-44, three-bladed propellers.

 

North American BC-2.

 

Basic Combat demonstrator (NA-26). One armed demonstrator and the first variant with a retractable undercarriage, eventually sold to RCAF, who modified it with Yale and Harvard parts. Powered by Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp.  In 1937, the North American NA-26 prototype won a competition for a basic combat trainer for the USAAC, and, in due course, it went into production as the BC-1. Little could North American Aviation know how famous and numerous its new trainer would become, with demand for it spurred on by the urgent needs of World War II. The aircraft was produced in several versions, and it flew with many arms, with production continuing long after World War II. The metal-framed BC-1 had a metal skin on the wings and tail unit, fabric-covered control surfaces and mainly fabric-covered fuselage. There was a Pratt and Whitney R-1340 9 cylinder Wasp radial upfront and an inwardly retracting undercarriage.

 

Harvard Mk.II 3275 being serviced on the flight line in Trenton, Ontario; 1941.

 

Pilots H. W. Fitch and T. S. Sheppard climb into the cockpit of a North American Harvard Mk.II at No.4 Service Flying Training School, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, October 4, 1940.

 

North American Harvard Mk.IIB, with Santa Claus, and Westland Lysander. This Harvard brought Santa to No.1 Coastal Artillery Co-operation (CAC) Flight, Saint John, New Brunswick, December 1942.

 

Pilots T. S. Shaples, K. MacBain, R. S. McCloskey and D. F. MacDonald watch the sky while standing in front of a North American Harvard Mk. II at No.4 Service Flying Training School, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, October 4, 1940.

 

North American BT-9s.

 

A U.S. Navy North American SNJ-2 Texan (BuNo 2556) at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, in March 1942, 1 March 1942.

 

A U.S. Navy North American SNJ-2 Texan prepares to take-off from Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida in 1 November 1942. Note that the aircraft wears a camouflage paint scheme, unusual for training aircraft.

 

A U.S. Navy North American SNJ-4C Texan on approach for the first carrier landing on board the carrier USS Bunker Hill (CV-17). The pilot was Commander Carson. 21 June 1943.

 

A U.S. Navy North American SNJ Texan assigned to the Naval School of Photography at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, pictured on a training flight over the Gulf of Mexico. 22 June 1943.

 

U.S. Navy North American SNJ-3 Texan trainer aircraft at a Naval Air Station during World War II. The location may be Naval Air Station Miami, Florida. Note the colorful markings. The planes in the center foreground are BuNos 01957, 01969 and 01968. As some planes are wearing pre-July 1943 U.S. national markings, the photo was probably taken in 1942-43.

 

Three U.S. Navy North American SNJ-3 trainer planes (BuNo 6773, 6775, 6776) fly in formation, circa 1941.

 

U.S. Navy North American SNJ-3 Texan trainer aircraft at a Naval Air Station during World War II. The location may be Naval Air Station Miami, Florida. Note the colorful markings. The two planes in the center foreground are BuNos 01957 and 01969. As some planes are wearing pre-July 1943 U.S. national markings, the photo was probably taken in 1942-43.

 

The U.S. Navy training carrier USS Sable (IX-81) recovers an North American SNJ-5C Texan while underway in Lake Michigan, in 1945.

 

A U.S. Navy North American SNJ-5 Texan (BuNo 51821) in flight near Naval Air Station Atlantic City, New Jersey, circa 1945.

 

North American SNJ-5 (rear) and SNJ-6 (front) from NAS Pensacola in flight.

 

A U.S. Navy North American SNJ-4 Texan (BuNo 26859) assigned to Carrier Aircraft Service Unit (CASU) 23 pictured in flight near Atlantic City, New Jersey.

 

Aviation cadet entering an North American SNJ Texan at the Naval Air Base in Corpus Christi, Texas.

 

Aviation cadet and flight instructor entering an North American SNJ Texan at the Naval Air Base in Corpus Christi, Texas.