|
In 1948, Texans still in USAF service
were redesignated as T-6s when the AT, BT and PT aircraft designations were
abandoned. To meet an urgent need for close air support of ground forces in the
Korean Conflict, T-6s flew "mosquito missions" spotting enemy troops and guns
and marking them with smoke rockets for attack by fighter-bombers.
|
While used primarily as a trainer, many of the foreign models
did see combat, one Wirraway being credited with splashing a
Japanese Zero (perhaps a bit lucky)
In Korea, they served as forward air controllers with the
6147th Tactical Control Group. The rear seat was occupied by an observer, and
the craft was equipped with smoke rockets to mark targets for fighter bombers.
|
 |
Variously called the Texan (USAAF),
Harvard (RAF), Yale, I-Bird, Mosquito, Wirraway (Australia), T-6 and SNJ (USN),
the AT-6 appeared in 1940, a derivation of North American's NA-16 design drawn
up for the 1937 Air Corp competition (which was won by the NA-16 incidentally).
In all, over 17,000 aircraft were produced, not taking into account the numbers
rebuilt from existing airframes, or others that used the AT-6 technology, such
as the P-64 or Boomerang.
The AT-6 Texan became the classroom for the
majority of the Allied pilots who flew in World War II, and trained several
hundred thousand pilots in 34 different countries. It's basic design was as a
trainer, with the characteristics of a high speed fighter, and was well suited
to the intermediary task of training pilots before letting them loose in an
actual fighter aircraft. Although not as fast as a fighter, it was easy to
maintain and repair, had more maneuverability and was easier to handle. A
pilot's airplane, it could roll, Immelmann, loop, spin, snap, and vertical roll.
It was used to train pilots in all aspects of tactical operations, such as
dog-fighting, ground strafing, carrier landings, and bombardment. It also
included the capacity for fixed and flexible guns, cameras, and just about any
other device that the military required.
Widely exported, the Texan served with
at least 55 air forces worldwide. Civilian models were, and still are, used as
pylon racers, sport aircraft, mail carrier, and even as an air-liner. She saw
action in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, as well as dozens of brush-fire wars
around the world including Algeria, the Congo, Biafra, the Middle East and
throughout Latin America. Despite its impressive war record, the Texan is best
known as a trainer, and is affectionately know as 'PILOT MAKER'. In the words of
one airman ''The best machine ever built to turn gasoline into noise'.
The North American Texan trainer is one
of the most important aircraft of all time and is universally recognized. First
built as the NA-16 in 1935, the Texan was in continual production for nearly 10
years and in active use for more than five decades. Primarily used as a trainer,
the Texan remains a favorite among Warbird collectors around the world.
Few aircraft make the jump from mere
machine to legend, and the AT-6 Texan can stand proud beside the
likes of Sopwith
Camel, the B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator,
Spitfire, or
P-51 Mustang.
|
Aircraft
