NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
The Hawker Beechcraft (formerly Raytheon) T-6A Texan II is the primary training aircraft for the U.S.A.F., U.S.N., N.A.T.O., Greece, and most recently Iraq. Just like its original namesake, it is also capable of assuming the light attack role. It has replaced the U.S.A.F. T-37B and the U.S.N. T-34C.
While outwardly virtually identical in appearance to a PC9, Hawker Beechcraft tells us that their T-6 Texan II is an entirely different aircraft that doesn't share a single part with its predecessor.
They point out that the PC9 was used as an initial structure from which systems were developed to create the T-6 Texan II. The resulting new aircraft won the Joint Primary Aircraft System (JPATS) contract of the United States.
During development of the Texan II, incremental changes to the basic design were made over a period during which test aircraft were flown over 500 times. The goal was to improve aircraft performance while not affecting positive attributes of the base aircraft.
Initial upgrades involved a restructured rear fuselage improving structural integrity and handling, a revised pressurized canopy, an enlarged engine cowl for better access, a more powerful and efficient engine, and a digitized throttle management system for better response.
The aircraft incorporating the improvements was tested for an additional 200 flights, checking all systems to insure proper functions. Additional modifications were made to this second aircraft including a system allowing all of the aircraft's fuel tanks to be refueled from one place on the fuselage. New zero-zero ejection seats were installed for greater crew protection. The canopy was reinforced to provide greater strength against foreign object strikes. The cockpit layout was redesigned so that people of all sizes would be comfortable in the aircraft. Air conditioning flow was increased.
Again, extensive testing of yet another prototype aircraft incorporating all the improvements was undergone. The aircraft received LCD displays which are more readable in a bright light environment, the latest avionics mounted for easy maintenance, and 1 1/2 degrees of positive wing incidence
added for a better view by the instructor over the aircraft's nose. Additional improvements and additions included a self contained oxygen generator, lower maintenance hydraulics, and more advanced anti-corrosive paints. A new stronger under carriage was designed for the less than perfect landings experienced in training aircraft.
The result was the T-6 Texan II, an aircraft with higher performance, lower maintenance, and a longer service life expectancy than its predecessor.
A total of over 435 Hawker Beechcraft T-6A Texan II aircraft are already flying. Iraq has purchased eight T-6A's for their air force, and most recently Morocco has purchased a total of 24 of the aircraft. About 800 additional aircraft are expected to be ordered under JPATS contracts. It is anticipated that several hundred additional aircraft will be exported to allied nations.
Specifications
Primary Function:
Crew:
Engine:
Power:
Weight Empty:
Max. Weight:
Machine Guns:
Hard Points:
Ordnance:
Length:
Wingspan:
Max. Speed:
Climb Rate:
Range:
Ceiling:
First Flight:
Year Deployed:
trainer / light attack
one pilot + student
P&W PT6A-68
1,100 s.h.p.
4,900 lbs.
6,500 lbs.
2- .50 cal.
six
1,100 lbs.
33' 4"
33' 5"
364 mph
4,500 fpm
850 miles
31,000 feet
12/23/92
2000
Radio Control Airplane
VMAR rc T-6A Texan II.
Radio Control Airplanes
In the picture above is the rc T-6A Texan II giant scale ARF airplane from VMAR.
Wingspan is 81", and length 63". For power you can use from .90 to 1.20 two stroke or from .90 to 1.55 four stroke engines. Ready to fly weight is about 10 1/2 lbs.
VMAR makes a smaller rc T-6A Texan II ARF. It is .40 size with a wingspan of 58".
In the first picture below is the rc T-6A Texan II ARF for sale by Ultrafly. It is all foam with a wingspan of 32" and a length of 31". The motor recommended is a KMS 13/21. All up weight is around 1 lb. 3 oz.
Airborne Magazine.com has plans for a balsa and plywood rc T-6A Texan II. It has a 57" wingspan and can be powered by .40 to .46 engines. Plan number is 555. A rc airplane built from the plans can be seen in the second picture below.
The last pictures below is of the rc T-6A Texan II built from Air Model Club plans for sale by the AMA Plans Service. Its wingspan is 60" and it is listed under plan number 2689 for scale gas.
The rc T-6A Texan II is virtually visibly identical to the PC9. There is no reason why you shouldn't take those rc airplanes and convert them to rc Texan II color schemes. Seagull Models has a 63" wingspan for conversion to a rc T-6A Texan II. If you like slope soarers, check out the Cantebury Sailplanes 48" wingspan that can be converted to a rc T-6A Texan II airplane.
T-6A Texan II
