North American T-6 Texan

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This article is about the World War II-era trainer. For the modern turboprop trainer, see Beechcraft T-6 Texan II.

T-6 Texan/SNJ/Harvard
USAAF AT-6Cs near Luke Field, 1943
Role Trainer aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer North American Aviation
First flight 1 April 1935
Retired 1995 (South African Air Force)
Primary users United States Army Air Forces
United States Navy
Royal Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
Number built 15,495
Developed from North American NA-16
Variants North American A-27
Bacon Super T-6
Developed into North American P-64
CAC Wirraway

The North American Aviation T-6 Texan is an American single-engined advanced

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 were built.

Development

NAS Jacksonville
, Florida, USA
South African Air Force Harvard under restoration exposing internal structure
L - front cockpit, and R - rear cockpit
"Nella", owned by the Commemorative Air Force, preparing for take off
A Noorduyn AT-16 Harvard IIB

The Texan's ancestry goes back to the

U.S. Army Air Corps Basic Trainer Competition. NAA also targeted the export market.[1]

Modified as the NA-26, it was submitted as an entry for a USAAC "Basic Combat Trainer " aircraft competition in March 1937. Based on the NA-18, but with a foot longer wingspan, it was the first of the NA-16 series with retractable gear. It was similar to the BT-9, but with a larger engine, the 550 hp (410 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp, and could accommodate two .30 in (7.62 mm) guns.

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.[1]: 33–44, 214 

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.[1]: 52–53 

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.[2]
After
Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force operated 62 (10 SNJ-4s, 41 SNJ-5s, and 11 SNJ-6s)[1]
: 56–57, 214 

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.[1]: 46, 63–66, 69, 77–79, 92, 214 

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.[1]: 46–47, 73–74, 214 

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.[1]
: 80–91, 214 

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.[1]: 93–97, 214 

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, redesignating 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.[1]
: 98–128, 214 

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.[1]: 122–124 

The NA-168 series consisted of remanufactured AT-6s and SNJs for the

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.[1]
: 139–153, 214 

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.[1]
: 153–154 

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.[1]: 155–159, 214 

Operational history

A T-6 Harvard at an air show in 2023

The aircraft was mainly used for training, however 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 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.

Spanish Air Force
.

Peru used its seven T-6 fighter bombers 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.[3]

The

Sinai Campaign, IAF Harvards attacked Egyptian ground forces in Sinai Peninsula
with two losses.

A USAF T-6 forward air control aircraft in Korea
An LT-6G in flight over Korea in 1952

The

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".[4][5][1]: 148–151 

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

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.[6]

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

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.[7] 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.[8]

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.[9]

Variants

Main article: North American T-6 Texan variants

Operators

ex-Argentine Navy SNJ-4, Naval Aviation Museum, 2010
National Archives of Brazil
 Argentina
 Austria
Belgian Air Force T-6G
 Belgium
 
Biafra
  • Biafran Air Force[10]
 Bolivia
  • Bolivian Air Force
  • Naval Aviation
 Brazil
 Cambodia
 Canada
Colombian Air Force AT-6 Texan during World War II
.
 Republic of China (Taiwan)
 Chile
 Colombia
  • Colombian Air Force
 Republic of the Congo
 Cuba
  • Cuban Air and Air Defense Force
 Denmark
Danish Harvard II
 Dominican Republic
  • Dominican Air Force
 El Salvador
  • Air Force of El Salvador
 France
  • French Air Force[11]
 Gabon
  • Gabon Air Force
Restored T-6D in Luftwaffe markings
 Germany
 Greece
 Haiti
  • Haitian Air Corps
 Hong Kong
 Honduras
 India
 Indonesia
 Iran
 Iraq
  • Iraqi Air Force - bought 15 aircraft in the early 1950s; 6 of them were donated to Lebanon in 1956.[12]
 Israel
 Italy
 Japan
RNZAF Harvards at RNZAF Station Onerahi, Whangarei, New Zealand, 1961.
 Katanga
  • Force Aérienne Katangaise[14]
 Lebanon
 Republic of Korea
Laos Kingdom of Laos
 Mexico
 Morocco
 Netherlands
 Mozambique
  • Mozambique Air and Air Defense Forces
 New Zealand
 Norway
T-6G in Portuguese Air Force museum
 Nicaragua
 Pakistan
 Paraguay
  • Paraguayan Air Force
  • Paraguayan Naval Aviation
South African Air Force Harvard IIA (equivalent to the AT-6C) in World War II era markings
 Philippines
 Portugal
 South Africa
 Southern Rhodesia
  • Southern Rhodesian Air Force
 South Vietnam
  • Republic of Vietnam Air Force
 Saudi Arabia
 Spain
  • Spanish Air Force[16]
 Soviet Union
 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.
Syrian Harvard
RAF
desert camouflage colours
T-6G Texan in Uruguayan Air Force Aeronautic Museum in Montevideo, Uruguay.

 Switzerland

 Syria
 Thailand
 Tunisia
 Turkey
 United Kingdom
 United States
 Uruguay
 Venezuela
Yemen Kingdom of Yemen
 Yugoslavia
  • SFR Yugoslav Air Force
 Zaire

Specifications (T-6G)

T-6G line drawing
T-6G line drawing

Data from Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II.[20]

General characteristics

  • 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)

Performance

Armament

In popular culture

T-6 Texan II
, left
Harvard converted to resemble a Mitsubishi A6M Zero.

In the September 1944 issue of The Sportsman Pilot,

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."[1]
: 8–9 

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

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 T-6 had a major role in the Pat Benatar music video for the song "Shadows of the Night". It was also used for a backdrop on the album cover of the 1978 Black Sabbath album Never Say Die!

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.[21]

See also

  • T-6 Texan variants
  • T-6 Texan II

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Hagedorn, 2009
  2. ^ Hagedorn, 1997, pp.34-35
  3. ^ Nicolle, David. "Syria's Fighting Texans". ACIG.org. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
  4. ^ "AF Museum – North American T-6D "Mosquito"". National Museum of the US Air Force. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  5. ^ "North American AT-6/SNJ-6". Lyon Air Museum. Archived from the original on 22 September 2019. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
  6. ^ Cooper, Tom. "Argentina, 1955–1965". ACIG.org. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  7. ^ "The South African Air Force". www.saairforce.co.za. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  8. ^ "The History of the SAAF". www.af.mil.za. Archived from the original on 5 May 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2009.
  9. ^ http://archive.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/obj/iar-ira/doc/harvard_eng.pdf[permanent dead link]
  10. ISBN 978-1472816092
    .
  11. ^ Cooper & Grandolini 2018, p. 23
  12. ISBN 978-1-913118-74-7
    .
  13. ^ "Italian Air Force Aircraft Types". www.aeroflight.co.uk.
  14. ^ "Congo, Part 1; 1960–1963". ACIG. 2003. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  15. ^ Cooper & Grandolini 2018, pp. 30–31
  16. ^ Cooper & Grandolini 2018, pp. 25, V
  17. ^ KF183 Retrieved 8 March 2017
  18. ^ Qinetiq's Last Harvard Departs Air Forces Monthly p8 January 2017
  19. ISBN 978-1-912174-23-2
    .
  20. ISBN 1 85170 493 0
    .
  21. ^ "Team fact sheet" (PDF). Eqstra.co.za. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 March 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014.

Bibliography

External links

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