 |
| U.S. Navy North American SNJ-1 Texan from Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, circa 1940/41. |
The North American Aviation AT-6 Texan is an American single-engined advanced trainer aircraft, which was used to train pilots of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), United States Air Force (USAF), United States Navy, Royal Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force and other air forces of the British Commonwealth during World War II and into the 1970s.
Designed by North American Aviation, the T-6 is known by a variety of designations depending on the model and operating air force. The United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) and USAAF designated it as the AT-6, the United States Navy the SNJ, and British Commonwealth air forces the Harvard, the name by which it is best known outside the US. Starting in 1948, the new United States Air Force (USAF) designated it the T-6, with the USN following in 1962.
The T-6 Texan remains a popular warbird used for airshow demonstrations and static displays. It has also been used many times to simulate various historical aircraft, including the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero. A total of 15,495 T-6s of all variants have been built.
Development
The Texan's ancestry goes back to the North American NA-16 prototype which was first flown on 1 April 1935. In 1935, NAA submitted this design for the U.S. Army Air Corps Basic Trainer Competition. NAA also targeted the export market.
The Texan's ancestry goes back to the North American NA-16 prototype which was first flown on 1 April 1935. In 1935, NAA submitted this design for the U.S. Army Air Corps Basic Trainer Competition. NAA also targeted the export market.
With minor alterations, 177 unarmed NA-36s would enter service as the BC-1 with a R-1340-47 engine from 9 June 1937. Roughly 30 were modified as BC-1-I instrument trainers. The BC-1A (NA-55-1) followed as an armed version, primarily for Air Corps Reserve and National Guard units, and the 83 built could be equipped with a .30 in (7.62 mm) machine gun on the nose, and a flexible gun in the rear cockpit.
The US Navy received 40 NA-28 aircraft based on the BT-9, which it designated the NJ-1, as well as 16 NA-52s, designated the SNJ-1, 36 NA-65 as SNJ-2s, and 25 NA-79 also as SNJ-2s.
In March 1937, the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation of Australia purchased an NA-32 (NA-16-1A, with fixed undercarriage) and an NA-33 (NA-16-2K with retractible undercarriage) along with a manufacturing license. The first CAC Wirraway, based on the NA-33, flew on 27 March 1939, of which 755 were built.
In August 1937, Mitsubishi Jukogyo K.K. purchased a single NA-16, NA-16-4R (NA-37), powered by the 450 hp (340 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-985-9CG, including manufacturing rights. A second N-16, NA-16-4RW (NA-47), powered by a smaller Wright engine, was ordered in December 1937. After being evaluated by the Imperial Japanese Navy, Kyusu and K.K. Watanabe Tekkosho chose to ignore the NAA design almost entirely, and built 176 of the somewhat similar K10W1 from 1941 to 1942 which the Allies gave the code name Oak. After World War II, the Japanese Air Self Defense Force operated 195 Texans (9 T-6Ds, 11 T-6Fs, and 175 T-6Gs) and the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force operated 62 (10 SNJ-4s, 41 SNJ-5s, and 11 SNJ-6s).
According to Dan Hagedorn, "the BC-1A series may be regarded as the true beginning of the modern AT-6 series". In December 1938, the British Commonwealth started receiving the first of 400 Harvard Mark Is (NA-49), for use in the Central Flying School. They were powered by the 600 hp (450 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1340-S3H1 Wasp. In May 1939, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) ordered 30 Harvard Mark Is (NA-61). Then in November 1939, the British Purchasing Commission ordered the first of eventually 1275 Harvard Mark IIs (NA-66, NA-75, NA-76, and NA-81) for the Royal Air Force and RCAF.
On 23 April 1939, NAA received a contract for 251 BT-14s and 94 AT-6s. The BT-14 (NA-58) was a fixed gear aircraft with a metal skinned fuselage 14 inches longer than the BT-9. In 1941, 27 BT-14s were refitted with the 400 hp (300 kW) R-985-11, and designated as BT-14A-NAs. In June 1939, NAA received an order for 94 AT-6-NAs (NA-59), powered by the Wright R-1340-47 and able to mount two .30 in (7.62 mm) machines guns.
The USAAC AT-6A, and the U.S. Navy SNJ-3, were based on the NA-77 and NA-78 designs. Pratt & Whitney R-1340-49 Wasp radial engine powered the USAAC aircraft, while R-1340-38s powered the Navy aircraft. The USAAC received 1847 AT-6As, and the Navy received 270 SNJ-3s.
The AT-6B (NA-84) was built for armament training, and could mount a .30 in (7.62 mm) machine gun on the right nose cowl, right wing, and in the rear cockpit, and could carry a light bomb rack. The aircraft was powered by the 600 hp (450 kW) R-1340-AN-1 engine. The USAAC received 400.
The NA-88 design was used to build 2970 AT-6Cs (747 of which went to the British Commonwealth as Harvard IIas), 2401 SNJ-4s, 2604 AT-6Ds (537 of which went to the British Commonwealth as Harvard IIIs), and 1357 SNJ-5s. The first AT-6C aircraft was delivered on 12 February 1942. The 12-volt electrical system was changed to a 24-volt system in the AT-6D, for standardization amongst the service. The AT-6D, which was also armament capable, and early versions included a wing gun camera, and a high-pressure oxygen system. The AT-6D used two toggle starter switches, rather than the foot pedal starter, and the first AT-6D was delivered on 22 July 1943. The Navy received an additional 630 AT-6Ds direct from the USAAF, re-designating them SNJ-5s, for a total of 1987. Similarly, the NA-121 design was used to build the final wartime Texans, and included 800 AT-6Ds (of which 211 went to the Navy as SNJ-5s), and 956 AT-6Fs (of which 411 went to the Navy as SNJ-6s). They were capable of carrying a 20 US gal (76 L; 17 imp gal) centerline drop tank.
From 1942, Canada's Noorduyn built 2557 R-1340-AN-1-powered Harvard IIs under license, paid for by USAAF Lend-Lease funds as the AT-16, but designated as the Harvard II.B. After WWII, many remained in service with the RCAF.
The NA-168 series consisted of re-manufactured AT-6s and SNJs for the USAF, starting in 1949. The Air Training Command received 641 aircraft, designated T-6G-NT, of which 416 eventually were sent to U.S. Military Assistance Program countries. U.S. National Guard units received an additional 50 aircraft, of which 28 eventually were sent to France. An additional 59 aircraft were Liaison/Trainer aircraft, designated LT-6G-NA, for the Korean War. These aircraft could be deployed with 2 detachable .30 in (7.62 mm) machine gun pods, and 4 HVARs, or 4 100 lb (45 kg) bombs, plus a 55 US gal (210 L; 46 imp gal) auxiliary drop tank. Alternatively, they could carry the gun pods and 12 2.25 in (57 mm) SCA markings rockets, or 6 100 lb (45 kg) bombs. The T-6G-NAs had a 140 US gal (530 L; 120 imp gal) fuel capacity, while previous models had a 110 US gal (420 L; 92 imp gal) capacity. The rear cockpit also had the same instruments as the front cockpit. Then, in 1951, the USAF placed an order for 824 T-6Gs, designated T-6G-1-NH, for the Air Training Command.
The Canada Car and Foundry built 285 Harvard 4s, designated NA-186 under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP) and an additional 270 directly for the RCAF.
In April 1951, the USAF ordered an additional 107 T-6Gs for the MDAP, designated NA-188. They placed an order for 11 training aircraft in March 1952, designated NA-195, and then a final batch of 110 aircraft in June for MDAP, designated NA-197.
General Information
Type: Trainer aircraft
National origin: United States
Manufacturer: North American Aviation
Primary users:
United States Army Air Forces
United States Navy
Royal Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
Number built: 15,495
First flight: 1 April 1935
Retired: 1995 (South African Air Force)
Developed from: North American NA-16
Variants:
North American A-27
Bacon Super T-6
Operational History
The aircraft was mainly used for training, but in many cases it was also repurposed into combat roles. The aircraft served in a great many air forces around the world in the mid to late 20th century. After serving in air forces, it also went on to be displayed at air shows and museums as a warbird.
Combat Use
The British used Harvards during World War II in North Africa, but not in a combat role. They were used extensively for preparing pilots in theatre for flying US aircraft types, whose handling and controls differed from British aircraft.
No. 74 Operational Training Unit (OTU) was formed at RAF Aqir in Palestine from 'C' Flight of 71 OTU who made various moves to Rayak in July 1942, Muqeibila in November 1942, and back to Aqir in February 1943. The RAF later handed over control to No. 203 Group RAF in May 1943. The unit disbanded in July 1945. Harvard AJ841 "Wacky Wabbit" saw service with No. 154 Squadron RAF. Originally 154 Squadron were based just at RAF Fowlmere before they were deployed to the Middle East in 1942. Record cards for 154 Squadron show the squadron Harvard being flown by Flying Officer DC Dunn from Minnigh (Syria) to Ramat David (Palestine) on 12 February 1944.
Peru used its seven T-6 fighter bombers in the Ecuadorian-Peruvian War equipped with two 7.65 mm (0.30 in) guns, while carrying up to four 116 lb (53 kg) bombs. Twenty AT-6s were employed by the 1st and 2nd fighter squadrons of the Syrian Air Force in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, providing ground support for Syrian troops, and launching airstrikes against Israeli airfields, ships, and columns, losing one aircraft to antiaircraft fire. They also engaged in air-to-air combat on a number of occasions, with a rear gunner shooting down an Israeli Avia S-199 fighter.
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) bought 17 Harvards, and operated nine of them in the final stages of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, against the Egyptian ground forces, with no losses. In the Sinai Campaign, IAF Harvards attacked Egyptian ground forces in Sinai Peninsula with two losses.
The Royal Hellenic Air Force employed three squadrons of British- and American-supplied T-6D and G Texans for close air support, observation, and artillery spotting duties during the Greek Civil War, providing extensive support to the Greek army during the Battle of Gramos. Communist guerillas called these aircraft Ο Γαλατάς, O Galatas, 'The Milkman', because they saw them flying very early in the morning. After the "Milkmen", the guerillas waited for the armed Spitfires and Helldivers.
During the Korean War and, to a lesser extent, the Vietnam War, T-6s were pressed into service as forward air control aircraft. These aircraft were designated T-6 "Mosquitos".
No. 1340 Flight RAF used the Harvard in Kenya against the Mau Mau in the 1950s, where they operated with 20 lb (9.1 kg) bombs and machine guns against the rebels. Some operations took place at altitudes around 20,000 ft (6,100 m) above mean sea level. A Harvard was the longest-serving RAF aircraft, with an example, taken on strength in 1945, still serving in the 1990s (as a chase plane for helicopter test flights—a role for which the Shorts Tucano's higher stall speed was ill-suited).
The T-6G was also used in a light attack or counterinsurgency role by France during the Algerian War in special Escadrilles d'Aviation Légère d'Appui (EALA), armed with machine guns, bombs and rockets. At its peak, 38 EALAs were active. The largest unit was the Groupe d'Aviation Légère d'Appui 72, which consisted of up to 21 EALAs.
From 1961 to 1975, Portugal used more than a hundred T-6Gs, also in the counterinsurgency role, during the Portuguese Colonial War. During this war, almost all the Portuguese Air Force bases and air fields in Angola, Mozambique, and Portuguese Guinea had a detachment of T-6Gs.
On 16 June 1955, rebel Argentine Navy SNJ-4s bombed Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires, Argentina; one was shot down by a loyalist Gloster Meteor. Navy SNJ-4s were later used by the colorado rebels in the 1963 Argentine Navy Revolt, launching attacks on the 8th Tank Regiment columns on 2 and 3 April, knocking out several M4 Sherman tanks, and losing one SNJ to anti-aircraft fire.
In 1957–58, the Spanish Air Force used T-6s as counterinsurgency aircraft in the Ifni War, armed with machine guns, iron bombs, and rockets, achieving an excellent reputation due to its reliability, safety record, and resistance to damage.
The Pakistan Air Force used T-6Gs in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 as a night ground-support aircraft, hitting soft transport vehicles of the Indian army. In the early hours of 5 December, during a convoy interdiction mission in the same area, Squadron Leader Israr Quresh's T-6G Harvard was hit by Indian antiaircraft ground fire and a shell fractured the pilot's right arm. Profusely bleeding, the pilot flew the aircraft back with his left hand and landed safely. The World War II-vintage propellered trainers were pressed into service and performed satisfactorily in the assigned role of convoy escorts at night.
The South African Air Force received their first T-6s in October 1942 to be used by the Joint Air Training Scheme. By July 1944, 633 Harvard Mk IIA T-6s and IIIs had been shipped to South Africa with another 555 (379 MkIIAs and 176 Mk IIIs) to arrive by October 1945. Another 65 (AT-6Ds and 30 T-6Gs) were ordered between 1952 and 1956. The aircraft also saw some action during the South African Border war. The T-6 remained in service until 1995 as a basic trainer, mainly as a result of the United Nations arms embargo against South Africa's apartheid policies. They were replaced by Pilatus PC-7 MkII turboprop trainers.
Research Testbed
The Harvard 4 has been used in Canada as a testbed aircraft for evaluating cockpit attitude displays. Its aerobatic capability permits the instructor pilot to maneuver the aircraft into unusual attitudes, then turn the craft over to an evaluator pilot in the "blind" rear cockpit to recover, based on one of several digitally generated attitude displays.
Variants
BT Series
BT-9: Basic Trainer with 400hp Wright R-975-7 Whirlwind and new canopy. Dangerous stall resulted in a variety of unsuccessful fixes. 42 built.
BT-9A: Armed BT-9 with one cowl gun and one rear flexible gun, and modified canopy. 40 built.
BT-9B: Minor changes from BT-9, unarmed. 117 built. 1 modified as sole BT-9D which was modified as a prototype for BT-14 with new outer wing panels and other alterations.
BT-9C: Wright R-975-7, similar to the BT-9A with minor changes. 66 built
BT-9D: One prototype only, Intermediate step in development of the BT-14.
Y1BT-10: 600hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340-41. First aircraft of batch of BT-9C completed as Y1BT-10.
BT-10: Production version of Y1BT-10 - cancelled
BT-14: Lengthened all metal fuselage and new canopy, Pratt & Whitney R-985-25, 251 built.
BT-14A: 27 BT-14s were re-engined with 400 hp (298 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-985-11.
BC Series
North American BC-1: Basic Combat trainer version initial production version with 600hp R-1340-47 engine, Early examples had round rudder, later examples had square bottom rudder. 177 built
BC-1A: New longer semi-monocoque fuselage, new outer wing panels angled forward slightly, squared-off wingtips and triangular rudder, 93 built. Identifiable from later types by blister fairing between undercarriage.
BC-1B: One BC-1A fitted with an AT-6A wing centre section.
BC-1I: BC-1s converted to instrument trainers, 30 modified
BC-2: Similar to BC-1A and AT-6, modified from NA-36 with details from NA-44, 3 bladed propeller.
AT Series (Texan)
AT-6 Texan: Advanced Trainer - same as BC-1A with minor changes, powered by a 600hp R-1340-47 and armed with forward-firing 0.3in machine gun, nine original started as BC-1As and 85 built.
AT-6A: Same as AT-6 but with 600hp R-1340-49 and removable wing centre section fuel tanks, 1847 built with 298 transferred to the United States Navy as the SNJ-3. Survivors re-designated T-6A in 1948.
AT-6B: Same as AT-6A but with 600hp R-1340-AN-1 and dorsal gun fitted as standard, 400 built.
AT-6C: Same as AT-6B but with material changes to low-alloy steel and plywood, 2970 built including transfers to the United Kingdom as the Harvard IIA.
AT-6D: Same as AT-6B but with a 24V DC electrical system, 4388 built including transfers to the United States Navy as the SNJ-5 and to the United Kingdom as the Harvard III. Redesignated T-6D in 1948.
XAT-6E: One AT-6D re-engined with a 575hp V-770-9 V-12 inline engine for trials.
AT-6F: Same as AT-6D but with a strengthened airframe and minor modifications, 956 built including transfers to the United States Navy as the SNJ-6, Redesignated T-6F in 1948. Clear fixed rear canopy. Some went to Russia via Lend-Lease.
AT-16: Noorduyn built lend-lease Harvards, 1800 built
A-27
North American A-27: Two-seat attack version of AT-6 with a 785hp R-1820-75 engine and five 0.3in machine guns (two in nose, one on each wing and one dorsal). Designation used for ten aircraft for Thailand impressed into United States Army Air Corps use.
T-6 (Texan)
T-6A: AT-6As re-designated in 1948.
T-6C: AT-6Cs re-designated in 1948 including 68 re-builds with new serial numbers.
T-6D: AT-6D re-designated in 1948 including 35 re-builds with new serial numbers.
T-6F: AT-6F re-designated in 1948.
T-6G: Earlier model AT-6/T-6s re-built between 1949-1953 with improved cockpit layout, increased fuel capacity, steerable tailwheel, updated radios and a 600hp R-1340-AN-1 engine. Identifiable by simplified canopy framing. 2068 modified.
LT-6G: T-6Gs converted for battlefield surveillance and forward air controller duties, 97 modified. Nicknamed Mosquito.
T-6H: T-6Fs converted T-6G standard.
T-6J: Designation claimed to have been used for Canadian-built Harvard Mk 4s, however no proof has ever surfaced that this designation was ever used, and aircraft record cards and markings on aircraft called them Harvard 4s. Supplied to Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal and West Germany, 285 aircraft.
KN-1: A single T-6F damaged in a crash during the Korean War that was rebuilt as a floatplane by the Republic of Korea Navy.
Bacon Super T-6: A single AT-6F converted in 1956 with tricycle gear, bubble canopy and tip tanks; no production followed.
B.F.8: (Thai: บ.ฝ.๘) Royal Thai Armed Forces designation for the T-6.
NJ/SNJ Texan
NJ-1: United States Navy specification advanced trainer powered with 550hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340-6. Some re-engined with later versions of R-1340. Similar to BT-9, 40 built.
SNJ-1: Similar to Harvard I but with BC-1 wing center section, metal-covered fuselage and late T-6 type wing, 16 built.
SNJ-2: Same as SNJ-1 but with a R-1340-56 engine and changes to carburetor and oil cooler scoops, 61 built.
SNJ-3: Same as AT-6A, 270 built and 296 transferred from USAAC.
SNJ-3C: SNJ-3 converted as deck landing trainers with tailhook arrester gear, twelve modified.
SNJ-4: Same as AT-6C, 1240 built.
SNJ-4C: SNJ-4s converted as deck landing trainers with tailhook arrester gear.
SNJ-5: AT-6Ds transferred from the USAAC, 1573 aircraft.
SNJ-5C: SNJ-5s converted as deck landing trainers with tailhook arrester gear.
SNJ-6: AT-6Fs transferred from the USAAF, 411 aircraft.
SNJ-7: Early models modified to T-6G standards in 1952.
SNJ-7B: An armed variant of the SNJ-7.
SNJ-8: Order for 240 cancelled.
Harvard
Harvard I: Similar to BC-1 but without rear gun and with a 600hp R-1340-S3H1 engine, 400 aircraft.
Harvard II: Similar to BC-1A, 526 built, again without provision for rear gunner.
Harvard IIA (RAF and Commonwealth): AT-6C, many with wooden rear fuselages when first delivered.
Harvard IIA (RCAF): 'Armed' Harvard II - Any RCAF Harvard II or IIB fitted with wing guns, rockets or bombs.
Harvard IIB: Noorduyn built Mk.IIs, some to US orders as AT-16s for lend-lease. Transfers back from the USAAF (1800) and 757 built.
Harvard T.T. IIB: Target Tug - 42 aircraft built for the RAF by Noorduyn. Number probably included in II totals.
Harvard IIF: Bombing/gunnery trainer - One-off modified from Mk.II with bomb aimer's blister and AT-6 type cockpit.
Harvard III: AT-6D, 537 aircraft for RAF.
Harvard 4: Canadian development of Harvard II paralleling the T-6G, and built by Canadian Car & Foundry, 270 for the RCAF and 285 for USAF. Some publications refer to these as T-6J however the aircraft record cards do not use this designation.
Harvard 4K: Belgian designation for Harvard IIs and IIIs upgraded to roughly Harvard 4 specifications.
Harvard 4KA: Belgian designation for armed variant of 4K.
North American Company Designations
|
NAA |
NAA |
Customer |
Engine |
Number built/ |
Notes |
|
NA-57 |
NA-57/ |
Armée de l'Air (France) |
Wright R-975-E3 Whirlwind |
230 |
Improved NA-23, many captured and used by Germany, some retained by Vichy France |
|
NA-64 |
NA-64/ |
Armée de l'Air (France) |
Wright R-975-E3 Whirlwind |
230 |
119 to Royal Canadian Air Force as Yale I, briefly used by France, many captured by Germany |
|
NA-45 |
NA-16-1GV |
Aviación Militar Nacional Bolivariana de Venezuela (Venezuela) |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp |
3 |
Possibly originally built to Brazilian contract |
|
NA-71 |
NA-16-3 |
Aviación Militar Nacional Bolivariana de Venezuela (Venezuela) |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340-S3H1 Wasp |
3 |
Two nose guns and rear gun, no wing guns. |
|
NA-72 |
NA-44 |
Exército Brasileiro (Brazilian Army) |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN1/S1H1 Wasp |
30 |
Attack bomber, fitted with small DF loop under fuselage. |
|
NA-43 |
NA-16-1G |
Exército Brasileiro (Brazilian Army) (Cancelled) |
Wright R-975 Whirlwind |
0 |
Similar to BT-9C |
|
NA-31 |
NA-16-4M/ |
Flygvapnet (Sweden) |
Wright R-975-E3 Whirlwind |
137 |
BT-9C but different engine variant. License production (NAA built 1, ASJA 76, SAAB 60), Trialed undercarriage for Saab 21. |
|
NA-38 |
NA-16-4M |
Flygvapnet (Sweden) |
Wright R-975-E3 Whirlwind |
1 |
same as NA-31 |
|
NA-119 |
AT-6D |
Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB) |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp |
81 |
20 examples built in Brazil under license |
|
NA-34 |
NA-16-4P |
Fuerza Aérea Argentina (FAA) |
Wright R-975-E3 Whirlwind |
29 |
First major export order (not license), had 2 cowl guns, a flexible rear gun and a radio mast |
|
NA-74 |
NA-44 |
Fuerza Aérea de Chile (FACh) |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp |
12 |
Attack bomber, fitted with small DF loop under fuselage. |
|
NA-50 |
NA-50 |
Fuerza Aérea del Perú (FAP) |
Wright R-1820-G3 Cyclone |
7 |
Single-seat fighter, NA-16-5 |
|
NA-42 |
NA-16-2A |
Fuerza Aérea Hondureña (FAH - Honduras) |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp |
2 |
|
|
NA-37 |
NA-16-4R/KXA1 |
Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN - Evaluation) |
Pratt & Whitney R-985-9CG Wasp
Junior |
1 |
Technology demonstrator, unarmed, fixed undercarriage and three-bladed prop. |
|
NA-47 |
NA-16-4RW/KXA-2 |
Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) (Evaluation) |
Wright R-975-E3 Whirlwind |
1 |
Technology demonstrator |
|
NA-46 |
NA-16-4 |
Marinha do Brasil (Brazilian Navy) |
Wright R-975-53 Whirlwind |
12 |
Similar to BT-9C with wingtip slats, small DF loop under fuselage. |
|
NA-33 |
NA-16-2K/ |
RAAF |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340-S1H1G |
756 |
Retractable gear pattern aircraft for Australia, 1 built by NAA and 755 by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation) |
|
NA-66 |
Harvard II |
RAF |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp |
600 |
as per NA-59 but fixed rear canopy and no rear gun, also to RNZAF and RCAF, Southern Rhodesia |
|
NA-76 |
Harvard II |
RAF |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp |
450 |
Ordered by France, taken over by RAF, many to RCAF |
|
NA-81 |
Harvard II |
RAF |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp |
125 |
same as previous RAF Harvard II order. |
|
NA-61 |
NA-16-1E/ |
RCAF |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340-S3H1 Wasp |
30 |
Later fitted with extended exhaust for cabin heater |
|
NA-75 |
Harvard II |
RCAF |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp |
100 |
Follow on order to NA-66 |
|
NA-186 |
Harvard 4 |
RCAF/ |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp |
555 |
Sole new post war production. |
|
NA-41 |
NA-16-4 |
Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF) |
Wright R-975 Whirlwind |
35 |
Similar to BT-9C with short fabric covered fuselage, combat aircraft with two fixed forward guns and one flexible rear gun. |
|
NA-48 |
NA-16-3C |
Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF) |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp |
15 |
Similar to NA-45 |
|
NA-56 |
NA-16-4 |
Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF) |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp |
50 |
Similar to NA-55 (long metal fuselage, fixed gear and engine differences) |
|
NA-49 |
NA-16-1E/ |
Royal Air Force (RAF) |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340-S3H1 Wasp |
400 |
Straight wing trailing edge, square rudder, short fabric covered fuselage, fixed rear canopy, no blister under wing center section |
|
NA-32 |
NA-16-1A |
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp |
1 |
Fixed gear pattern aircraft similar to NJ-1 or Y1BT-10, not followed up. |
|
NA-68 |
NA-50A/P-64 |
Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF - Thailand) |
Wright R-1820-77 Cyclone |
6 |
Short outer wing panel angled much further forward than earlier types. Diverted with start of Pacific war to USAAF as P-64 |
|
NA-69 |
NA-44/A-27 |
Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF - Thailand) |
Wright R-1820-75 Cyclone |
10 |
Fully armed as attack aircraft. Diverted with start of Pacific war to USAAF as A-27 |
|
NA-27 |
NA-16-2H |
to Fokker and |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340-S2H1 Wasp |
1 |
European demonstrator armed NA-26 with fixed gear. |
|
NA-44 |
NA-44 |
to RCAF |
Wright SG-1820-F52 Cyclone |
1 |
Prototype two-seat export combat aircraft similar to BC-1A |
|
NA-20 |
NA-16-2H |
Trials, to Fuerza Aérea Hondureña (FAH) |
Wright R-975 Whirlwind |
1 |
NC16025 originally intended as demonstrator for China |
|
NA-26 |
BC-1 |
Trials, to Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340-S3H1 Wasp |
1 |
Basic Combat Demonstrator NX18990 - no relation to later BC-1, first retractable gear variant, later modified with Yale parts. |
|
NA-19 |
NA-19/BT-9 |
USAAC |
Wright R-975-7 Whirlwind |
42 |
Minor changes from NA-18, new canopy |
|
NA-19A |
NA-19A/BT-9A |
USAAC |
Wright R-975-7 Whirlwind |
40 |
Armed BT-9 with one cowl gun and one rear flexible gun, and suitably modified canopy. |
|
NA-23 |
NA-23/BT-9B |
USAAC |
Wright R-975-7 Whirlwind |
117 |
Unarmed. 1 modified as sole BT-9D as BT-14 prototype with new outer wings and other alterations. |
|
NA-29 |
BT-9C |
USAAC |
Wright R-975-7 Whirlwind |
67 |
as per BT-9A with minor changes. First aircraft completed as Y1BT-10. |
|
NA-36 |
BC-1 |
USAAC |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340-47 Wasp |
177 |
Retractable undercarriage and first aircraft with square bottom rudder. DF loop under wing, blister covers fuel transfer gear on center line aft of wheel wells. |
|
NA-54 |
BC-2 |
USAAC |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340-45 Wasp |
3 |
Based on NA-36 with some improvements from NA-44, 3-bladed prop and two blister under wing center section. |
|
NA-55−1 |
BC-1A |
USAAC |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340-47/-49 Wasp |
83 |
Bought for reserve and Air National Guard (ANG) units. |
|
NA-58 |
BT-14/BT-14A |
USAAC |
Pratt & Whitney R-985-25 Wasp Junior |
251 |
Similar to Harvard II except for fixed undercarriage and smaller engine. 27 re-engined with 400 hp (300 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-985-11 as BT-14A |
|
NA-59 |
AT-6-NA |
USAAC |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340-47 Wasp |
94 |
First examples converted from NA-55 while still on production line, some examples had small DF loop installed |
|
NA-84 |
AT-6B |
USAAC |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 Wasp |
400 |
|
|
NA-30 |
BT-10 |
USAAC (Cancelled) |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340-41 Wasp |
0 |
cancelled production version of Y1BT-10 |
|
NA-22 |
NA-22 |
USAAC (rejected) |
Wright R-760ET |
1 |
Dangerously underpowered |
|
NA-16 |
NA-16 |
USAAC (trials) |
Wright R-975-E3 Whirlwind |
1 |
Prototype NX-2080, was open cockpit, received greenhouse canopy for trials |
|
NA-18 |
NA-18 |
USAAC (trials) |
Wright R-975-E3 Whirlwind |
1 (modified) |
Ex-NA-16, won against Seversky BT-8 and Curtiss-Wright CW-19R, to Argentina in 1937 |
|
NA-77 |
AT-6A/SNJ-3 |
USAAC, USN |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp |
637 |
|
|
NA-78 |
AT-6A/SNJ-3/3C |
USAAC, USN |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp |
568 |
As NA-77, first aircraft built in Texas, and to use name "Texan" |
|
NA-88 |
AT-6C/AT-6D/XAT-6E |
USAAC/USAAF, USN |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp/ |
9331 |
(last 800 as NA.121) AT-6D used 24 volt electrics, vs previous 12 volt systems. XAT-6E used Ranger V-770. |
|
NA-121 |
AT-6D/AT-6F |
USAAF, USN |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp |
4378 |
800 AT-6Ds, 211 SNJ-5, 956 AT-6F and 411 SNJ-6. AT-6F and SNJ-6 have clear fixed rear canopy section |
|
NA-128 |
AT-6D |
USAAF, USN |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp |
0 |
Canceled orders to have been built in Texas. |
|
NA-168 |
T-6G/LT-6G |
USAF/ANG |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp |
109 |
Re-manufactured and updated from earlier versions. Mostly internal but canopy simplified slightly. |
|
NA-182 |
T-6G/LT-6G |
USAF/ANG |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp |
824 |
as per NA-168, Re-manufactured/updated. |
|
NA-188 |
T-6G/LT-6G |
USAF/ANG |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp |
107 |
Re-manufactured and converted from earlier versions. |
|
NA-195 |
T-6G/LT-6G |
USAF/ANG |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp |
11 |
Re-manufactured and converted from earlier versions. |
|
NA-197 |
T-6G |
USAF/ANG |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp |
110 |
Re-manufactured and converted from T-6D. |
|
NA-28 |
NJ-1 |
USN |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340-6 Wasp |
40 |
USN specification up engined BT-9 as advanced trainer, some re-engined with later R-1340 versions. |
|
NA-52 |
SNJ-1 |
USN |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340-6 Wasp |
16 |
Short metal fuselage, square rudder, late wings, fixed rear on canopy |
|
NA-65 |
SNJ-2 |
USN |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340-36 Wasp |
36 |
Blister covering fuel transfer gear along center-line aft of wheel wells |
|
NA-85 |
SNJ-3 |
USN |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp |
0 |
Cancelled duplicate of NA-78 for record purposes. |
|
NA-198 |
SNJ-8 |
USN |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp |
0 |
Cancelled Contract for SNJ-8 (similar to T-6G) |
|
NA-79 |
SNJ-2 |
USN / Flygvapnet (Sweden) as Sk 16C |
Pratt & Whitney R-1340-56 Wasp |
25 |
Operators
Argentina: Argentine Army Aviation (SNJ-4); Argentine Naval Aviation (SNJ-4 and 30 SNJ-5Cs for carrier operations)
Austria: Austrian Air Force
Belgium: Belgian Air Force
Biafra: Biafran Air Force
Bolivia: Bolivian Air Force; Naval Aviation
Brazil: Brazilian Air Force
Cambodia: Royal Khmer Aviation (AVRK)
Canada: Royal Canadian Air Force; Royal Canadian Navy; National Research Council (still in use)
Republic of China (Taiwan): Republic of China Air Force
Chile: Chilean Air Force
Colombia: Colombian Air Force
Republic of the Congo: Congolese Air Force
Cuba: Cuban Air and Air Defense Force
Denmark: Royal Danish Air Force
Dominican Republic: Dominican Air Force
El Salvador: Air Force of El Salvador
France: French Air Force
Gabon: Gabon Air Force
Germany: German Air Force (Bundeswehr Luftwaffe)
Greece: Hellenic Air Force
Haiti: Haitian Air Corps
Hong Kong: Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force
Honduras: Honduran Air Force
India: Royal Indian Air Force; Indian Air Force
Indonesia: Indonesian Air Force – bought 25 from the United States
Iran: Iranian Air Force
Iraq: Iraqi Air Force – bought 15 aircraft in the early 1950s; 6 of them were donated to Lebanon in 1956
Israel: Israeli Air Force
Italy: Italian Air Force operated 238 aircraft from 1949 until 1979
Japan: Japan Air Self-Defense Force; Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Philippines: Philippine Air Force
Portugal: Portuguese Air Force; Portuguese Naval Aviation
South Africa: South African Air Force
Southern Rhodesia: Southern Rhodesian Air Force
South Vietnam: Republic of Vietnam Air Force
Saudi Arabia: Royal Saudi Air Force
Spain: Spanish Air Force
Soviet Union: Soviet Air Forces
Sweden: Swedish Air Force 145 Harvard IIb as Sk 16A, 106 T-6A, T-6B, SNJ-3, SNJ-4 as Sk 16B and 6 SNJ-2 as Sk 16C.
Switzerland: Swiss Air Force
Syria: Syrian Air Force
Thailand: Royal Thai Air Force; Royal Thai Navy
Tunisia: Tunisian Air Force
Turkey: Turkish Air Force: 196 planes of various types
United Kingdom: Royal Air Force; Royal Navy; Qinetiq (retired in 2016)
United States: United States Army Air Corps/Army Air Forces; United States Air Force; United States Navy; United States Marine Corps; United States Coast Guard
Uruguay: Uruguayan Air Force; Aviacion Naval Uruguaya
Venezuela: Venezuelan Air Force
Kingdom of Yemen: Yemeni Air Force
Yugoslavia: SFR Yugoslav Air Force
Zaire
Specifications (T-6G)
Crew: two (student and instructor)
Length: 29 ft (8.8 m)
Wingspan: 42 ft (13 m)
Height: 11 ft 8 in (3.56 m)
Wing area: 253.7 sq ft (23.57 m2)
Empty weight: 4,158 lb (1,886 kg)
Gross weight: 5,617 lb (2,548 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 Wasp radial engine, 600 hp (450 kW)
Maximum speed: 208 mph (335 km/h, 181 kn) at 5,000 ft (1,500 m)
Cruise speed: 145 mph (233 km/h, 126 kn)
Range: 730 mi (1,170 km, 630 nmi)
Service ceiling: 24,200 ft (7,400 m)
Rate of climb: 1,200 ft/min (6.1 m/s)
Wing loading: 22.2 lb/sq ft (108 kg/m2)
Power/mass: 0.11 hp/lb (kW/kg)
Armament: Provision for up to 3 × 0.30 in (7.62 mm) machine guns
In Popular Culture
In the September 1944 issue of The Sportsman Pilot, USAAF Capt. Paul K. Jones' article stated, "The Six is a plane that can do anything a fighter can do—and even more. Naturally not as fast, she makes up for speed in her ease of handling and her maneuverability. She's a war machine, yes, but more than that she's a flyer's airplane. Rolls, Immelmans, loops, spins, snaps, vertical rolls—she can do anything—and do it beautifully. For actual combat, more guns, more speed and more power is needed. But for the sheer joy of flying—give me an AT-6."
After World War II, the National Air Races established a unique racing class for the AT-6/Texan/Harvard aircraft; this class continues today at the Reno National Air Races each year.
Since the Second World War, the T-6 has been a regular participant at air shows, and was used in many movies and television programs. For example, converted single-seat T-6s painted in Japanese markings to represent Mitsubishi Zeros made appearances in A Yank in the R.A.F. (1941), Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970), Baa Baa Black Sheep (1976-1978), and The Final Countdown (1980). In A Bridge too Far (1977) it represented the razorback Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. Some were modified for the Dutch film Soldaat van Oranje (1977) to represent the Dutch pre–World War II fighter Fokker D.XXI.
The New Zealand Warbirds "Roaring 40s" aerobatic team use ex–Royal New Zealand Air Force Harvards. The Flying Lions Aerobatic Team uses Harvards acquired from the South African Air Force.
Bibliography
Andrade, John M. U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909, Midland Counties Publications, England, 1979.
Becker, Dave and Brent, Winston. AT-6 Harvard in South African Service (African Aviation Series No.1). Nelspruit, South Africa:, Freeworld Publications CC, 2000.
Bergèse, Francis. North American T-6 (in French). Rennes, France: Ouest France, 1979.
Cooper, Tom; Grandolini, Albert (2018). Showdown in Western Sahara, Volume 1: Air Warfare over the Last African Colony, 1945-1975. Warwick, UK: Helion & Company Publishing.
"Courrier des Lecteurs" [Readers' Letters]. Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire (in French). No. 109. April 2002. p. 3.
Cortet, Pierre (January 1998). "Du NA-16 au T-6: les biplaces d'entrainement North American: première époque: les trains fixes" [From NA-16 to T-6: The North American Two-seat Trainer: The Fixed-gear Era]. Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire (in French). No. 58. pp. 32–37.
Cortet, Pierre (February 1998). "Du NA-16 au T-6: les biplaces d'entrainement North American: première époque: les trains fixes (2e partie)". Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire (in French). No. 59. pp. 28–35.
Cortet, Pierre (March 1998). "Du NA-16 au T-6: les biplaces d'entrainement North American: première époque: les trains fixes (3e partie)". Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire (in French). No. 60. pp. 37–42.
Cortet, Pierre (April 1998). "Du NA-16 au T-6: les biplaces d'entrainement North American: première époque: les trains fixes (4e partie)". Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire (in French). No. 61. pp. 32–34.
Cortet, Pierre (May 1998). "Du NA-16 au T-6: les biplaces d'entrainement North American: première époque: les trains fixes (5e partie: les NA-57 en France)" [From NA-16 to T-6: The North American Two-seat Trainer: The Fixed-gear Era (The NA-57 in France)]. Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire (in French). No. 62. pp. 22–29.
Cortet, Pierre (January 1998). "Du NA-16 au T-6: les biplaces d'entrainement North American: première époque: les trains fixes (6ème partie: les NA-57 de Vichy et de la France Libre)" [From NA-16 to T-6: The North American Two-seat Trainer: The Fixed-gear Era (The NA-57s of Vichy and Free France]. Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire (in French). No. 58. pp. 31–37.
Cortet, Pierre (July 1998). "Du NA-16 au T-6: les biplaces d'entrainement North American: première époque: à train fixe (dernière partie)". Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire (in French). No. 64. pp. 30–34.
Davis, Larry. T-6 Texan in Action (Aircraft Number 94). Carrollton, TX: Squadron/Signal Publications, Inc., 1989.
Donald, David. American Warplanes of World War II. London:Aerospace Publishing, 1995.
Fletcher, David C. and MacPhail, Doug. Harvard! the North American Trainers in Canada. San Josef, BC/Dundee, Ont: DCF Flying Books, 1990.
Hagedorn, Dan (1997). North American NA-16/AT-6/SNJ. North Branch, MN: Specialty Press.
Hagedorn, Dan (2009). North American's T-6: a definitive history of the world's most famous trainer. North Branch, MN: Specialty Press.
Hamlin, John F. The Harvard File. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988.
Jesse. William. T-6 Texan, the Immortal Pilot Trainer. London: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 1991.
Kohn, Leo J. The Story of the Texan (American Flight Manuals). Aviation Publications Co., 1975.
MacPhail, Doug and Östberg, Mikael. Triple Crown BT-9: The ASJA/Saab Sk 14, A Pictorial Essay (in English/Swedish). San Josef, BC/Dundee, Ont: DCF Flying Books, 2003.
Marchand, Patrick and Takamori, Junko. North American T-6 et derivés (in French). Le Muy, France: Editions d'Along, 2004.
Morgan, Len. Famous Aircraft Series: The AT-6 Harvard. New York: Arco Publishing Co., 1965.
Nicolle, David (December 1997). "Texans sur l'arabe: la 1ère victoire aérienne syrienne" [Texans over Arabia: The First Syrian Aerial Victory]. Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire (in French). No. 57. pp. 9–13.
Olrich, Walter and Ethell, Jeffrey L. Pilot maker; the Incredible T-6. North Branch, MN: Specialty Press, 1982.
"Pentagon Over the Islands: The Thirty-Year History of Indonesian Military Aviation". Air Enthusiast Quarterly. No. 2. n.d. pp. 154–162.
Sapienza, Antonio Luis (January 1997). "Les North American T-6 "Texan" de la Force Aérienne Paraguayenne, de 1943 à nos jours" [North American T-6 Texans of the Paraguayan Air Force from 1943 to Today]. Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire (in French). No. 46. pp. 15–17.
Smith, Peter Charles. North American T-6: SNJ, Harvard and Wirraway. Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wiltshire, UK: The Crowood Press Ltd., 2000.
Smith, Peter Charles. T-6: The Harvard, Texan & Wirraway – A Pictorial Record. North Branch, MN: Speciality Press, 1995.
Sonck, Jean-Pierre (January 2002). "1964: l'ONU au Congo" [The United Nations in the Congo, 1964]. Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire (in French). No. 106. pp. 31–36.
Sonck, Jean-Pierre (February 2002). "1964: l'ONU au Congo". Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire (in French). No. 107. pp. 33–38.
Spring, Ivan and Rivers, Reg. Colour schemes and special markings of the North American "Harvard" in service with the SAAF 1940 to 1995. Pretoria, South Africa: Spring Air Publishers, 1996.
Starkings, Peter. From American Acorn to Japanese Oak – The tale of an unsung Japanese training aircraft with roots extending across the Pacific Ocean. Arawasi International, Asahi Process, September–December 2007, Issue 7.
Swanborough, Gordon and Bowers, Peter M. United States Military Aircraft since 1909. London:Putnam, 1963.
Vidal, João M. (September–October 1996). "Texans in Biafra: T-6Gs in Use in the Nigerian Civil War". Air Enthusiast. No. 65. pp. 40–47.
Wache, Siegfried. CCF Harvard Mk. IV (T-6) (series F-40 – Die Flugzeuge der Bundeswehr Nr.09) (in German). Buchholz, Germany: Buchholz Medien Verlag, 1989.
Young, Edward M. (1984). "France's Forgotten Air War". Air Enthusiast. No. 25. pp. 22–33.
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| Two U.S. Army Air Forces North American AT-6C-NT Texan trainers (s/n 42-43925, 42-43929) in flight near Luke Field, Arizona, in 1943. U.S. Air Force photo 090821-F-1234S-001 from the National Museum of the USAF. |
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| Two U.S. Navy WAVES washing a North American SNJ Texan training plane at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida (USA), circa 1943-1945. This aircraft was assigned to the Naval Air Operational Training Command. Note Beech SNB aircraft in the background. U.S. Navy photo 80-G-K-15001 from Naval History & Heritage Command. |
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| South African Air Force Harvard under restoration at the South African Air Force Museum, Port Elizabeth exposing internal structure. 20 September 2007 Gerhard Roux photo. |
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| Front cockpit on the T-6 Texan (Harvard) at the South African Air Force Museum in Swartkop, Tshwane. 2 August 2008. |
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| Rear cockpit on the T-6 Texan (Harvard) at the South African Air Force Museum in Swartkop, Tshwane. 2 August 2008. |
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| North American T-6 Texan named Nella, tail number 24125, owned by the Commemorative Air Force. In Brunswick, Georgia, US, May 19, 2022. |
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| A Noorduyn AT-16 Harvard IIB of A&AEE seen arriving for RIAT 89. Still in service with QinetiQ at Boscombe Down. Mike Freer photo. |
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| North American T-6 Harvard 4M at Radom Air Show 2023.26 August 2023. Jakub Halun photo. |
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| A Colombian Air Force North American T-6 Texan. It was the first second-generation aircraft acquired for the Colombian Air Force during the Second World War. The aircraft entered the service in 1940, and was removed from service in 1967. Archivos de la Fuerza Aérea Colombiana photo. |
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| South African Air Force Harvard IIA (equivalent to the AT-6C) in World War II era markings. At Australian International Airshow, Avalon Airport, Australia, March 2005. |
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| Restored Harvard II in RAF desert camouflage colors. At Australian International Airshow, Avalon Airport, Australia, March 2005. Possibly AJ845, ex-RAAF. |
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| North American T-6G Texan. |
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| T-6 Texan trainer aircraft post conversion to resemble a Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter operated by the Commemorative Air Force. 7 May 2005. Monty Marion photo. |
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| North American AT-6 Texan. |
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| An SNJ-3 coming in for a landing at the Naval Air Technical Training Center, Jacksonville, Florida. 6 June 1942. |
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| Class 42-I, Brooks Field, San Antonio, Texas Class book for pilot class 42-I at Brooks Field, San Antonio, Texas. 1942. |
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| U.S. Army Air Force North American AT-6C-NT Texan trainers flying in formation along the Caloosahatchee River above east Fort Myers, Florida (USA), to the Buckingham Flexible Gunnery School's range over the Gulf of Mexico, 1942. Plane "FM 202" carries the tow target at which the gunners would shoot from the rear seat of the planes (second aircraft is s/n 41-32240). USAAF photo. |
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| North American AT-6C-NT Texan serial number 41-32469, Buckingham Army Airfield, Florida, 194.4. USAAF photo. |
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| North American AT-6 Texan, “C569” serial number 41-16338, “C568” serial number 42-48600, Cochran Army Airfield, 1944. USAAF photo. |
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| North American AT-6 Texan. San Diego Air and Space Museum Archives photo. |
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| North American AT-6A (NA-78) in flight. In this excellent shot Mo Chung Yung is shown at the controls with instructor in the rear flying. USAF photo. |
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| U.S. Army Air Forces North American T-6 Texan training planes fly over the Taj Mahal building, also known as the Administration Building, at Randolph Airfield, San Antonio, Texas, in 1942. Built in the 1920s, it is today a National Historic Landmark. United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division photo under the digital ID fsa.8e00301. Original caption: “War birds aloft form a background for Old Glory and the 170-foot tower of the administration building of Randolph Field, Texas. This formation of basic training planes is piloted by flying tutors and closely observed by the aviation cadets who soon will be practicing such aerial maneuvers at advanced or specialized schools.” |
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| A U.S. Army Air Force student pilot in an North America AT-6 Texan trainer "attacks" a USAAF Lockheed B-34 during gunnery training, circa 1942/43. U.S. Air Force Historical Research Agency photo 23075 A.C. |
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| Original caption: 1st Lt. Lee Rayford who has returned to the United States from Italy where he served with the 99th Fighter Squadron. The nature of his assignment here has not been announced. Other pilots formerly assigned to the 99th now back in America include 1st Lts. Walter I. Lawson, Charles W. Dryden, Graham Smith and Louis R. Purnell. National Archives and Records Administration photo cataloged under the National Archives Identifier (NAID) 535836. |
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| AT-6 armament installation diagram. Three M2, caliber .30 Browning machine guns, five M5 20 or 30 pound fragmentation bombs, or four Mark I 100 pound bombs. Erection and Maintenance Instructions for Army Models AT-6, AT-6A, B, C, and D, Navy Models SNJ-3, 4 and 5, British Models Harvard IIA and III Airplanes, AN 01-60F-2, 15 March 1944, U.S. Army Air Force and U.S. Navy Bureau of Aeronautics. |
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| North American AT-6A, T-138, serial number 41-16087 at Moffett Field. Bill Larkins photo. |
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| WASP (Women Air Force Service Pilot) students studying their flight plan for the day, 1943. USAF photo. |
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| North American AT-6s on the flight line at British Flight Training School No 1, 1943. USAAF photo. |
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| Observation cadets and training instructor with AT-6, 1941. USAAF photo. |
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| Cadet pilot in cockpit of AT-6, 1942. |
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| North American AT-6s at Moody Army Airfield, Georgia, 1942. USAAF photo. |
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| A U.S. Army Air Force North American AT-6C-15-NT Texan (s/n 42-48826) taking off, circa 1943. U.S. Air Force photo 080129-f-3927s-211 from the USAF Historical Research Agency. |
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| Pioneer aviator Nancy Corrigan (1913-1983) with AT-6 Texan BC-2 variant three-blade propeller, circa 1946. |
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| AT-6 front cockpit left side. Erection and Maintenance Instructions for Army Models AT-6, AT-6A, B, C, and D, Navy Models SNJ-3, 4 and 5, British Models Harvard IIA and III Airplanes, AN 01-60F-2, 15 March 1944, U.S. Army Air Force and U.S. Navy Bureau of Aeronautics. |
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| AT-6 front cockpit right side. Erection and Maintenance Instructions for Army Models AT-6, AT-6A, B, C, and D, Navy Models SNJ-3, 4 and 5, British Models Harvard IIA and III Airplanes, AN 01-60F-2, 15 March 1944, U.S. Army Air Force and U.S. Navy Bureau of Aeronautics. |
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| AT-6 front cockpit. Erection and Maintenance Instructions for Army Models AT-6, AT-6A, B, C, and D, Navy Models SNJ-3, 4 and 5, British Models Harvard IIA and III Airplanes, AN 01-60F-2, 15 March 1944, U.S. Army Air Force and U.S. Navy Bureau of Aeronautics. |
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| North American AT-6A “EP75” at Eagle Pass AAF, Texas, 1943. USAAF photo. |
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| AT-6 Texans in maintenance hangar at Spence Army Airfield, 1944. USAAF photo. |
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| North American AT-6 Texan advanced single engine trainers at Spence Army Airfield, Georgia, about 1943. USAAF photo. |
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| WASP trainees and their instructor with an AT-6. United States Department of Defense photo ID 100310-D-0653H-031. |
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| The sole U.S. Army Air Forces North American XAT-6E Texan (s/n 42-84241) at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, on 11 May 1945. The XAT-6E was a standard AT-6D re-engined with a 575hp Ranger V-770-9 V-12 inline engine for trials. Official U.S. Navy photo NH 87997 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command. |
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| North American BT-9A, 17 March 1941. NASA Langley photo. |
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| A U.S. Army Air Corps North American BC-1, the initial production version with 600hp R-1340-47 engine, circa 1938. U.S. Air Force photo 080129-f-3927s-231 from the USAF Historical Research Agency |
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| A U.S. Navy North American SNJ-1 Texan (BuNo 1566) at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, circa 1939-42. U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 1996.488.166.090. |
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| Two North American A-27s of the 17th Pursuit Squadron at Nichols Field, Philippines, in 1941. The United States impressed 10 North American NA-69 attack aircraft ordered by Thailand when it became apparent the aircraft would fall into Japanese hands in the early 1940s. The United States was not yet at war with Japan at this point. The NA-69 was basically an attack version of the AT-6 trainer aircraft intended for export. The aircraft were re-designated A-27s and given 1941 serial numbers. The A-27s were assigned to the U.S. Army Air Corps' 17th Pursuit Squadron at Nichols Field in the Philippines. When the Japanese attacked the Philippine Islands in the first days of the Pacific War, all A-27s were destroyed. USAF photo. |
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| A U.S. Navy North American Aviation NJ-1 Texan (BuNo 0922) in flight, 21 January 1938. U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 2011.003.032.015 |
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| Production of BT-9's by North American Aviation Inc., Inglewood, California, in 1936. U.S. Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA) photo 080128-f-3927s-045. |
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| North American BT-9. |
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| North American BT-9 during night flight training at Randolph Field, Texas, January 1940. San Diego Air and Space Museum Archives photo. |
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| North American BT-9A at Grand Central Air Terminal. San Diego Air and Space Museum Archives. |
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| North American BT-9C at Oakland Airport, 1938. Bill Larkins photo. |
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| Aviation Cadets heading towards their assigned AT-6s, 1943. USAF photo. |
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| North American BT-9s for night flying training, 1942. USAAF photo. |
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| U.S. Navy North American SNJ-1 and NJ-1 Texan aircraft lined up at Chevalier Field, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, 1942. U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 1996.488.166.011. |
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| North American BT-9. San Diego Air and Space Museum Archives. |
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| North American NA-16 prototype NX2080. San Diego Air and Space Museum Archives photo. |
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| The first North American NAA-64 P-2 NX13397 before delivery. Due to the fall of France, this aircraft would instead be delivered to Canada as a Yale Mk.I. |
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| North American NAA-64 in shipping crate for delivery to France (note roundel on wing). Most of those that made it to France had not even been unpacked when the Germans overran northern France. |
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| Ex-RCAF North American NA-64 Yale painted to represent a USAAC BT-14, in a diorama at the USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio, 1 January 2007. |
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| North American’s BC-1 (basic combat, type 1) sported retractable landing gear. The Air Corps would re-designate the airplane the AT-6. National Archives photo. |
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| North American AT-6 Texan, January 13, 1941. Rudy Arnold Photo Collection/NASM photo NASM-NASM.XXXX.0356-M0000568-00030. |
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| North American AT-6 Texan, January 13, 1941. Rudy Arnold Photo Collection/NASM photo NASM-NASM.XXXX.0356-M0000568-00070. |
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| North American AT-6 Texan, January 13, 1941. Rudy Arnold Photo Collection/NASM photo NASM-NASM.XXXX.0356-M0000568-00080. |
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| North American AT-6 Texan. |
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| North American BT-14. |
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| North American BC-1. |
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| North American Harvards of No 20 Service Flying Training School being flown in formation over Rhodesia. The leading aircraft have all-yellow paintwork, a scheme discontinued on later arrivals which kept their natural metal finishes. Commonwealth Joint Air Training Plan, No.20 Service Flying Training School, Cranborne, Near Salisbury, Rhodesia, January 1943. |
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| North American AT-6G Texan. |
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| North American SNJ-4/-5/-6 (AT-6) Texan. |
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| North American NAA-57. |
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| North American NA-64 Yale. |
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| Original wartime caption: American "Harvard" aircraft are used extensively by the Royal Air Force for the advanced training of pilots. These pictures show Harvard aircraft in use at the Royal Air Force Flying Training School "somewhere in England". A Harvard "takes off" for a training flight. Imperial War Museum photo CH 604. |
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| A formation of American Harvards during a training flight. Imperial War Museum photo CH 610. |
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| Harvard aircraft in a striking "line astern" formation. Imperial War Museum photo CH 618. |
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| Harvard aircraft being prepared for a training flight. Imperial War Museum photo CH 605. |
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| A formation of American Harvards during a training flight. Imperial War Museum photo CH 619. |
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| A formation of American Harvards during a training flight. Imperial War Museum photo CH 614. |
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| Harvard aircraft in a striking "line astern" formation. Imperial War Museum photo CH 613. |
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| A formation of American Harvards during a training flight. Imperial War Museum photo CH 612. |
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| Harvard aircraft being prepared for a training flight. Imperial War Museum photo CH 611. |
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| Harvard aircraft lined up in readiness for a training flight. Imperial War Museum photo CH 616. |
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| A Harvard "takes off" for a training flight. Imperial War Museum photo CH 621. |
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| A formation of Harvards during a training flight. Imperial War Museum photo CH 607. |
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| Three Harvard Mark Is, N7125 L, N7095 N’and N7061, of No. 20 Service Flying Training School based at Cranbourne, Southern Rhodesia, dropping 25lb practice-bombs during a training flight. Imperial War Museum photo CM 1180. |
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| Harvard Mark IIB, FT281, on the ground. This aircraft enjoyed a long service career, serving initially with No. 5 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit at Ternhill, Shropshire, and thereafter with a number of flying training schools until 1954. Imperial War Museum photo ATP 13216E. |
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| Harvard Mark IIB: front seat instrument panel and pilot's controls. Imperial War Museum photo ATP 16253B. |
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| Harvard Mark I, N7033, of No. 2 Service Flying Training School based at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, in flight with undercarriage lowered. Imperial War Museum photo CH 606. |
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| Harvard Mark IIA, BD134, at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down, Wiltshire. Following handling tests at the A&AEE, BD134 was delivered to Southern Rhodesia for use by the Rhodesian Air Training Group. Imperial War Museum photo ATP 9656D. |
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| American "Harvards" in service with the RAF. A parade of some of the many pilots now in training with the R.A.F. Imperial War Museum photo CH 620. |
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| Instructors (in white) and pupils parade with North American Harvard aircraft. The Harvard was the standard equipment for advanced pilot instruction which took place at Service Flying Training Schools. Imperial War Museum photo TR 1264. |
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| Sixteen instructors (front row) and pupils parade with North American Harvard aircraft. The Harvard was the standard equipment for advanced pilot instruction which took place at Service Flying Training Schools. Imperial War Museum photo TR 1263. |
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| Pupil Sergeant D H Marshall climbing in to North American Harvard ‘49’ at Cranborne. He served as a ground crewman for 2½ years before being accepted for flight training. Imperial War Museum photo TR 1266. |
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| Pupil Sergeant D H Marshall climbing in to North American Harvard ‘49’ at Cranborne. He served as a ground crewman for 2½ years before being accepted for flight training. Imperial War Museum photo TR 1265. |
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| North American Harvards of No 20 Service Flying Training School being flown in formation over Rhodesia. The leading aircraft have all-yellow paintwork, a scheme discontinued on later arrivals which kept their natural metal finishes. Imperial War Museum photo TR 1269. |
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| A flight of North American Harvard IIAs from No 20 Service Flying Training School being flown in formation by RAF trainee pilots participating in the Commonwealth Joint Air Training Programme at Cranborne, near Salisbury, Rhodesia. Imperial War Museum photo TR 1268. |
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| Ground crew refuel a North American Harvard of No 20 SFTS (Service Flying Training School) at Kisumu in Kenya, January 1943. Imperial War Museum photo TR 1272. |
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| North American Harvard EX180 taxis out at Cranborne as another comes in to land. Imperial War Museum photo TR 1267. |
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| A RAF-assigned North American AT-6 Texan (serial number AJ931), known in RAF service as a Harvard, in flight. FRE 11450. |
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| Canadian workers manufacturing wings for Harvard training aircraft, 1943. Imperial War Museum photo CAN 2660. |
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| Original wartime caption: Picture (issued 1943) shows training in South Africa under the Commonwealth Joint Air Training Plan. Phillip Fricker, a Flight Sergeant in the Air Training Corps (ATC) making a cross-country flight in a Harvard trainer. Imperial War Museum photo CH 11007. |
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| Training in South Africa under the Commonwealth Joint Air Training Plan. Fricker attends lectures on navigation and learns how to plot a course. Imperial War Museum photo CH 11001. |
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| Training in South Africa under the Commonwealth Joint Air Training Plan. Fricker attends lectures on navigation and learns how to plot a course. Imperial War Museum photo CH 11000. |
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| Training in South Africa under the Commonwealth Joint Air Training Plan. Fricker receives instruction in the Link Trainer. Imperial War Museum photo CH 11002. |
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| Fricker's popularity in the ATC was great. As the day draws near for him to join the RAF, ATC officers make him a presentation. Imperial War Museum photo CH 10985. |
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| North American Harvard Mark Is preparing for a training flight at a Service Flying Training School. Imperial War Museum photo CRH 54. |
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| Trainee pilots at No. 20 Service Flying Training School, Cranborne, walk to North American Harvard Mark Is for their training flights. Imperial War Museum photo CM 1178. |
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| Aircraft and airframes assembled at a Maintenance Unit at Brindisi, after the end of the Second World War in Europe. These include, in the foreground, North American Harvard training aircraft, destined for the Yugoslav Flying Training School established by the RAF at Zadar. Imperial War Museum photo CAN 3610. |
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| Three Harvard Mark Is, N7095 ‘N’, N7061 and N7125 ‘L’, of No. 20 Service Flying Training School based at Cranborne, practicing formation flying over the Mazoe (now Mazowe) river valley. Imperial War Museum photo CM 1197. |
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| Harvard IIA, BD132, on the ground in the United Kingdom shortly after assembly, and before delivery to Southern Rhodesia for service with the Rhodesian Air Training Group. Imperial War Museum photo ATP 10400C. |
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| Air Vice Marshal S F Vincent, Air Officer Commanding No. 221 Group RAF (right), with Air Vice Marshal W A Coryton, Air Officer Commanding RAF Bengal-Burma, in the rear cockpit of a North American Harvard, flys into an airstrip in the forward area in Burma. Imperial War Museum photo CF 413. |
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| Senator Herbert Lehman shakes hands with his son Peter G Lehman of the 4th Fighter Group in the cockpit of an AT-6 Harvard. 25 Apr 1943. Original caption: Governor Lehman's Son Peter Arrives In England. Flight Officer Peter Lehman, son of the former Governer Lehman of New York, who is now Director of the Office of Foreign Relief and Rehabilitation, recently flew to this country, and his father was at the airport to meet him. Flight Officer Peter Lehman, greeting his father, former Governor Herbert Lehman, of New York, the Governor is now Director of the Office of Foreign Relief and Rehabilitation. Imperial War Museum photo FRE 2669. |
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| North American Harvard Mark Is (N7146 nearest) of No. 2 Service Flying Training School, lined up at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire in readiness for a training flight. Imperial War Museum photo CH 617. |
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| England, Pilots boarding an American Harvard IIA trainer 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) |
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| A workman in a Canadian aircraft plant fixing transparent hoods over the landing lights on the wings of Harvard monoplanes. Under the Commonwealth plan Empire pilots are trained on these craft. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images) |