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==Operational history==
==Operational history==


During the [[Korean War]] and to a lesser extent, the [[Vietnam]] war, T-6's were pressed into service as [[forward air control]] aircraft. These aircraft were designated T-6 "Mosquito"s.<ref name=NMUSAF>[http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=287 AF Museum - North American T-6D "Mosquito"]</ref> The RAF used the Harvard in Kenya against the [[Mau Mau]] in the 1950s where they operated with 20 lb bombs and machine guns against the gangs. Some operations took place at altitudes around 20,000 ft [[Above mean sea level|asl]]. A Harvard was the longest-serving RAF aeroplane, with an example, taken on strength in 1945, still serving in the 1990s (as a chase plane for helicopter test flights - a role the Shorts Tucano's high stall speed was ill-suited for). The T-6G was also used in a light attack or [[counter insurgency]] 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 there were 38 EALA's active. The largest unit was the Groupe d'Aviation Légère d'Appui 72, which consisted of up to 21 EALA's. Portugal also used ex-French aircraft during the [[Portuguese Colonial War]].
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 "Mosquito"s.<ref name=NMUSAF>[http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=287 AF Museum - North American T-6D "Mosquito"]</ref> The RAF used the Harvard in Kenya against the [[Mau Mau]] in the 1950s where they operated with 20 [[pound (mass)|lb]] bombs and machine guns against the gangs. Some operations took place at altitudes around 20,000 [[foot (measurement)|ft]] [[Above mean sea level|asl]]. A Harvard was the longest-serving RAF aeroplane, with an example, taken on strength in 1945, still serving in the 1990s (as a chase plane for helicopter test flights - a role the Shorts Tucano's high stall speed was ill-suited for). The T-6G was also used in a light attack or [[counter insurgency]] 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 there were 38 EALA's active. The largest unit was the Groupe d'Aviation Légère d'Appui 72, which consisted of up to 21 EALAs. Portugal also used ex-French aircraft during the [[Portuguese Colonial War]].


Since the Second World War, the T-6 has been a regular participant at [[airshow|air show]]s, and was used in many [[Film|movie]]s. For example, in ''[[Tora! Tora! Tora!]]'' and ''[[The Final Countdown (film)|The Final Countdown]]'', converted single-seat T-6s painted in [[Imperial Japanese Navy|Japanese]] markings represent [[Mitsubishi Zero]]es. The [[New Zealand]] Warbirds "Roaring 40s" aerobatic team use ex-[[Royal New Zealand Air Force]] Harvards. The Reno National Air Races also has a class specifically for the T-6 during the National Air Races each year.
Since the Second World War, the T-6 has been a regular participant at [[airshow|air show]]s, and was used in many [[Film|movie]]s. For example, in ''[[Tora! Tora! Tora!]]'' and ''[[The Final Countdown (film)|The Final Countdown]]'', converted single-seat T-6s painted in [[Imperial Japanese Navy|Japanese]] markings represent [[Mitsubishi Zero]]es. The [[New Zealand]] Warbirds "Roaring 40s" aerobatic team use ex-[[Royal New Zealand Air Force]] Harvards. The Reno National Air Races also has a class specifically for the T-6 during the National Air Races each year.
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* [[Philippine Air Force]]
* [[Philippine Air Force]]
;{{POR}}
;{{POR}}


* [[Portuguese Air Force]]
* [[Portuguese Air Force]]
* [[Portuguese Navy]]
* [[Portuguese Navy]]

Revision as of 05:14, 29 May 2008

This article is about the first T-6 Texan. For the newer Beech aircraft, see T-6 Texan II.

Template:Infobox Aircraft

The T-6 Texan was a single-engine advanced trainer aircraft designed by North American Aviation, used to train fighter pilots of the United States Army Air Forces, United States Navy, Royal Air Force and other air forces of the British Commonwealth during World War II. The T-6 is known by a variety of designations depending on the model and operating air force. The USAAC called it the "AT-6", the US Navy, the "SNJ", and British Commonwealth air forces, the Harvard. It remains a popular warbird aircraft.

Development

Harvard under restoration exposing internal structure
WAVES washing a SNJ at NAS Jacksonville.
A SNJ-5 variant flying in an airshow in 2004.
RNZAF North American Harvards at Onerahi Aerodrome, near Whangarei, New Zealand in 1961.

The T-6 originated from the North American NA-16 prototype (first flown on April 1, 1935) which, modified as the NA-26, was submitted as an entry for a USAAC "Basic Combat" aircraft competition in March, 1937. The first model went in to production and 180 were supplied to the USAAC as the BC-1 and 400 to the RAF as the Harvard I. The US Navy received 16 modified aircraft, designated the SNJ-1, and a further 61 as the SNJ-2 with a different engine.

A further 92 BC-1A and three BC-2 aircraft were built before the shift to the "advanced trainer" designation, AT-6, which was equivalent to the BC-1A. The differences between the AT-6 and the BC-1 were new squared-off wingtips and a straight-edged rudder, producing the definitive Texan appearance. The AT-6 was designated the Harvard II for RAF/RCAF orders and 1,173 were supplied by purchase or Lend Lease, mostly operating in Canada as part of the Empire Air Training Scheme.

Next came the AT-6A which was based on the NA-77 design and was powered by the Pratt & Whitney R-1340-49 Wasp radial engine. The USAAF received 1,549 and the US Navy 270 (as the SNJ-3). The AT-6B was built for gunnery training and could mount a .30 in machine gun on the forward fuselage. It utilised the R-1340-AN-1 engine which was to become the standard for the remaining T-6 production. Canada's Noorduyn Aviation built a R-1340-AN-1 powered version of the AT-6A which was supplied to the USAAF as the AT-16 (1,500 aircraft) and the RAF/RCAF as the Harvard IIB (2,485 aircraft), some of which also served with the Fleet Air Arm.

Variants of AT-6 appeared in service with the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy during the Second World War as well. Watanabe and Nippon of Japan acquired a license to build the Texan before the war and manufactured some 176 of them. The Japanese version of the AT-6 came to be known as Oak to the Allies. After the war, American manufactured versions of the Texan returned to Japanese service, now with the Japanese Air Self Defense Force.

The NA-88 design resulted in 2,970 AT-6C Texans and 2,400 as the SNJ-4. The RAF received 726 of the AT-6C as the Harvard IIA. Modifications to the electrical system produced the AT-6D (3,713 produced) and SNJ-5 (1,357 produced). The AT-6D, redesignated the Harvard III, was supplied to the RAF (351 aircraft) and Fleet Air Arm (564 aircraft). Subsequently the NA-121 design gave rise to 25 AT-6F Texans for the USAAF and 931, as the SNJ-6 for the US Navy. The ultimate version, the Harvard 4, was produced by Canada Car and Foundry during the 1950s, and supplied to the RCAF, USAF and Bundeswehr.

A total of 15,495 T-6s of all variants were built.

Operational history

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 "Mosquito"s.[1] The RAF used the Harvard in Kenya against the Mau Mau in the 1950s where they operated with 20 lb bombs and machine guns against the gangs. Some operations took place at altitudes around 20,000 ft asl. A Harvard was the longest-serving RAF aeroplane, with an example, taken on strength in 1945, still serving in the 1990s (as a chase plane for helicopter test flights - a role the Shorts Tucano's high stall speed was ill-suited for). The T-6G was also used in a light attack or counter insurgency 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 there were 38 EALA's active. The largest unit was the Groupe d'Aviation Légère d'Appui 72, which consisted of up to 21 EALAs. Portugal also used ex-French aircraft during the Portuguese Colonial War.

Since the Second World War, the T-6 has been a regular participant at air shows, and was used in many movies. For example, in Tora! Tora! Tora! and The Final Countdown, converted single-seat T-6s painted in Japanese markings represent Mitsubishi Zeroes. The New Zealand Warbirds "Roaring 40s" aerobatic team use ex-Royal New Zealand Air Force Harvards. The Reno National Air Races also has a class specifically for the T-6 during the National Air Races each year.

Variants

Main article: T-6 Texan variants

Operators

AT-6C Harvard IIA in RNZAF markings
T-6 Texan in Portuguese Air Force museum
SNJ-4 Texan in SAAF markings
T-6 Texan in RAF desert camouflage colour scheme
 Argentina
 Austria
 Belgium
 Biafra
 Bolivia
 Brazil
 Canada
 Republic of China
 Chile
 Colombia
 Republic of the Congo
 Cuba
 Denmark
 Dominican Republic
 El Salvador
 France
 Gabon
 Germany
 Greece
 Hong Kong
 Honduras
 India
 Israel
 Italy
 Japan
 Katanga
 South Korea
 Mexico
 Morocco
 Netherlands
 Mozambique
 New Zealand
 Norway
 Pakistan
 Paraguay
 Philippines
 Portugal
 South Africa
 Southern Rhodesia
 South Vietnam
 Spain
 Soviet Union
 Sweden
 Thailand
 Tunisia
 United Kingdom
 United States
 Uruguay
 Venezuela
 Yugoslavia
 Zaire

Specifications (T-6G/Harvard)

T-6 Texan at the 2005 Reno Air Races
T-6 Texan converted to resemble a Mitsubishi Zero as flown by the Commemorative Air Force

Data from Jane’s Fighting Aircraft of World War II[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: two (student and instructor)

Performance Armament

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

Notes

  1. ^ AF Museum - North American T-6D "Mosquito"
  2. ^ Bridgeman, Leonard. "The North American Texan." Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London: Studio, 1946. p. 251. ISBN 1 85170 493 0.

Bibliography

  • Becker, Dave and Brent, Winston. AT-6 Harvard in South African Service (African Aviation Series No.1). Nelspruit, South Africa:, Freeworld Publications CC, 2000. ISBN 0-95838-802-4.
  • Bergése, Francis. North American T-6 (in French). Rennes, France: Ouest France, 1979. ISBN 2-85882-183-6.
  • Davis, Larry. T-6 Texan in Action (Aircraft Number 94). Carrollton, TX: Squadron/Signal Publications, Inc., 1989. ISBN 0-89747-224-1.
  • Fletcher, David C. and MacPhail, Doug. Harvard! the North American Trainers in Canada. San Josef,BC/Dundee,Ont: DCF Flying Books, 1990. ISBN 0-96938-250-2.
  • Hagedorn, Dan. North American NA-16/AT-6/SNJ (WarbirdTech Volume 11). North Branch, MN: Speciality Press, 1997. ISBN 0-93342-476-0.
  • Hamlin, John F. The Harvard File. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. ISBN 0-85130-160-6.
  • Jesse. William. T-6 Texan, the Immortal Pilot Trainer. London: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 1991. ISBN 1-85532-154-8.
  • Kohn, Leo J. The Story of the Texan (American Flight Manuals). Aviation Publications Co., 1975. ISBN 0-87994-034-4.
  • 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 derives (in French). Le Muy, France: Editions d’Along, 2004. ISBN 2-914403-21-6.
  • Morgan, Len. Famous Aircraft Series: The AT-6 Harvard. New York: Arco Publishing Co., Inc., 1965.
  • Olrich, Walter and Ethell, Jeffrey L. Pilot maker; the Incredible T-6. North Branch, MN: Specialty Press, 1982. ISBN 0-93342-434-5.
  • Smith, Peter Charles. North American T-6: SNJ, Harvard and Wirraway. Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wiltshire, UK: The Crowood Press Ltd., 2000. ISBN 1-86126-382-1.
  • Smith, Peter Charles. T-6: The Harvard, Texan & Wirraway - A Pictorial Record. North Branch, MN: Speciality Press, 1995. ISBN 0-7603-0191-3.
  • 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. ISBN 0-9583977-3-2.
  • 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. ISBN 3-935761-09-0.
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