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The North American SNJ/T-6 Texan is an advanced trainer developed in 1935, which has been used by forces from sixty countries. The U.S. Navy designated it the SNJ, and in the British Commonwealth countries it is known as the Harvard. The distinctive Texan triangular rudder was added after several model designation changes. Approximately one-third of the total produced (5,035 of 15,495) were delivered to the U.S. Navy.
In 1937 Mitsubushi purchased two original prototypes (NA-16) for demonstrators and for research into licensing for mass production. However, they produced an aircraft that bore very little resemblance to the prototype. Their aircraft(allied code name Oak) were used in small numbers by the Imperial Japanese Navy from about 1942. The Japanese Air Self Defense Force did operate Texans after World War II.
While the T-6 was designed as an advanced trainer, it has seen it’s share of combat. It was used by U.S. forces in Korea and Vietnam as a forward air control aircraft; by the RAF in Kenya; France in Algeria; Portugal during the Portuguese Colonial War; Spain during the Ifni War; and by Pakistan in their 1971 war as a night ground support aircraft.
The T-6 remains a popular warbird and has made appearances in numerous movies, in disguise, as a Mitsubishi Zero (Tora! Tora! Tora! and The Final Countdown) and as a Republic P-47 (A Bridge Too Far).
- Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 Wasp radial engine, 600 hp
- Cruise Speed: 145 mph
- Maximum Speed: 208 mph @ 5,000 feet
- Range: 730 miles
- Service Ceiling: 24,200 feet
- First Flight: 1 April 1935
- Number produced: 15,495
- SNJ’s Produced: 16 as SNJ-1; 61 as SNJ-2; 270 as SNJ-3; 2400 as SNJ-4; 1357 as SNJ-5; 931 as SNJ-6
Our SNJ’s:
N101x
SNJ 101
- Manufacturer: North American
- Model: SNJ-5
- Year built: ca. 1944
- Construction Number: 88-9450
- Engine Manufacturer and Model: P&W R1340 SERIES
N3653G (member owned)
SNJ 24: Owner Bill Coombs and Chris Aycock
- Manufacturer: North American
- Model: SNJ-3
- Year built: 1941
- Construction Number: 3324
- Engine Manufacturer and Model: P&W R1340 SERIES
N889ER (member owned)
AT-6F: Owner Daniel Rathbun
- Manufacturer: North American
- Model: AT-6F
- Year built: 1944
- Serial Number: 44-81889
- Engine Manufacturer and Model: P&W R1340 SERIES
N27775 (member owned)
SNJ 135: Owner Sam Strahan
- Manufacturer: North American
- Model: SNJ-4 Texan
- Year Built: 1943
- Construction Number: 88-13391
- Engine Manufacturer & Model: P&W R1340 Series
Above information from: www.airport-data.com/aircraft/N3653G.html and www.airport-data.com/aircraft/N101X.html and www.airport_data.com/aircraft/N7130C.html
