The AT-6, produced by North American, is one of the most recognized warbirds in the world, some 70 years after its introduction.
AT-6 in RAF color scheme.
The AT-6 advanced trainer goes by several names. Officially designated the AT-6, the U.S. Army Air Corps called it Texan, the British called it Harvard, and the USMC and United States Navy called it the SNJ.
AT-6 in USAF colors.
Early AT-6 trainers were made from plywood to save precious metal for fighter planes.
Thousands of pilots trained in the AT-6 Texan before heading to high performance fighters during World War II.
AT-6 in a Navy paint scheme.
Several hundred AT-6 Texan aircraft are still flying. Many of them perform in air shows, and a few participate in air racing.
You can even get a demonstration flight in a AT-6. Pilots will be happy
to simply fly straight and level giving the opportunity for picture
taking, or, perform aerobatics for the strong of heart.
AT-6 from USAF during Korean War.
Armed versions of the AT-6 saw extensive service during the colonial
wars that began after World War II and went on through the 1960's. They
proved themselves as excellent counter insurgency aircraft.
The
AT-6 was used by the French in Algeria from 1954 to 1962 as a light
attack aircraft. Over 700 of the aircraft served for France. Ordnance
was typically a pair of .30 cal. gun pods, napalm, rockets, and bombs.
AT-6 that flew in Vietnam War.
Over 15,000 AT-6 aircraft were built, with the majority serving during the second World War. However, many were still in use for Korea and Vietnam.
AT-6
