Harvard II CF-GME and Harvard IV CF-RFS - Fly-by at the Penticton Airport BC Canada (CYYF) Photo taken September 11,2010 Photo © Marcel Siegenthaler

The North American Aviation T-6 Texan was a single-engine advanced trainer aircraft used to train 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 and into the 1950s. Designed by North American Aviation, The T-6 is known by a variety of designations depending on the model and operating air force. The USAAC designated it as the "AT-6", the US Navy the "SNJ", and British Commonwealth air forces, the Harvard, the name it is best known by outside of the United States. It remains a popular warbird aircraft.

Development

The Texan 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.

The BC-1 was the production version of the NA-26 prototype, with retractable tailwheel landing gear and the provision for armament, a two-way radio, and the 550 hp (410 kW) R-1340-47 engine as standard equipment. Production versions included the BC-1 (Model NA-36) with only minor modifications (177 built), of which 30 were modified as BC-1I instrument trainers; the BC-1A (NA-55) with airframe revisions (92 built); and a single BC-1B with a modified wing center-section.

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 outer wing panels with a swept forward trailing edge, squared-off wingtips and a triangular rudder, producing the definitive Texan appearance. After a change to the rear of the canopy, 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 British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.

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 used the R-1340-AN-1 engine, which was to become the standard for the remaining T-6 production. Canada's Noorduyn Aviation built an 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 and Royal Canadian Navy.

In late 1937 Mitsubushi purchased two NA-16s as technology demonstrators and possibly a licence to build more. However, the aircraft developed by Watanabe/Kyushu as the K10W1 (Allied code name Oak) bore no more than a superficial resemblance to the North American design. It featured a full monocoque fuselage as opposed to the steel tube fuselage of the T-6 and NA-16 family of aircraft, as well as being of smaller dimensions overall and had no design details in common with the T-6. It was used in very small numbers by the Imperial Japanese Navy from 1942 onwards. After the war the Japanese Air Self Defense Force operated Texans.

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). The AT-6G (SNJ-5) involved major advancements including a full-time hydraulic system and a steerable tailwheel and persisted into the 1950s as the USAF advanced trainer.

Subsequently the NA-121 design with a completely clear rearmost section on the canopy, 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 "Mosquitos". No. 1340 Flight 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. 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 for which the Shorts Tucano's high stall speed was ill-suited). 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 EALAs active. The largest unit was the Groupe d'Aviation Légère d'Appui 72, which consisted of up to 21 EALAs. From 1961 to 1975, Portugal, also, used hundreds of T-6G in the counter insurgency role during the Portuguese Colonial War. During this war, almost all the Portuguese Air Force bases and air fields in Angola, Mozambique and Portuguese Guinea had a detachment of T-6Gs. In 1957-58, the Spanish Air Force used T-6 as COIN aircraft in the Ifni War, armed with machine guns, iron bombs and rockets, achieving an excellent reputation due to its reliability, safety record and resistance to damage.

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, whereas in A Bridge too Far it represented the razorback Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. 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.

Due mainly to the United Nations arms embargo against South Africa's Apartheid policies, T-6s remained in service with the South African Air Force as a basic trainer until 1995, when they were replaced by Pilatus PC-7MkII turboprop trainers.

Variants

BC-1

• North American BC-1
  Basic Combat trainer version initial production version with 600hp R-1340-47 engine, 177 built
• BC-1A
  Same as BC-1 but with semi-monocoque rear fuselage, squared-off wingtips and vertical tail surfaces, 93 built.
• BC-1B
  One BC-1A fitted with an AT-6A wing centre section.
• BC-1I
  BC-1s converted to instrument trainers, 30 modified

AT-6 Texan

• AT-6 Texan
  Same as BC-1A with minor changes, powered by a 600hp R-1340-47 and armed with forward-firing 0.3in machine gun, nine original started as BC-1As and 85 built.
• AT-6A
  Same as AT-6 but with 600hp R-1340-49 and removable wing centre section fuel tanks, 1847 built with 298 transferred to the United States Navy as the SNJ-3. Survivors re-designated T-6A in 1948.
• AT-6B
  Same as AT-6A but with 600hp R-1340-AN-1 and dorsal gun fitted as standard, 400 built.
• AT-6C
  Same as AT-6B but with material changes to low-alloy steel and plywood, 2970 built including transfers to the United Kingdom as the Harvard III.
• AT-6D
  Same as AT-6B but with a 24V DC electrical system, 4388 built including transfers to the United States Navy as the SNJ-5 and to the United Kingdom as the Harvard IIA. Redesignated T-6D in 1948.
• XAT-6E
  One AT-6D re-engined with a 575hp V-770-9 engine for trials.
• AT-6F
  Same as AT-6D but with a strengthened airframe and minor modifications, 956 built including transfers to the United States as the SNJ-6, Redesignated T-6F in 1948.

AT-16

• AT-16
  Noorduyn built AT-6As for lend-lease as Harvards, 1800 built

T-6 Texan

• T-6A
  AT-6As re-designated in 1948.
• T-6C
  AT-6Cs re-designated in 1948 including 68 re-builds with new serial numbers.
• T-6D
  AT-6D re-designated in 1948 including 35 re-builds with new serial numbers.
• T-6F
  AT-6F re-designated in 1948.
• T-6G
  Earlier model AT-6/T-6s re-built between 1949-1953. They have improved cockpit layout, increased fuel capacity, modified landing gear with steerable tailwheel, updated radios and a 600hp R-1340-AN-1 engine. 2068 modified.
• LT-6G
  T-6Gs converted for battlefield surveillance and forward air controller duties, 97 modified.
• T-6H
  Number of T-6Fs converted T-6G standard.
• T-6J
  Designated used for Canadian-built Harvard Mk 4s supplied to Belgian, France, Italy, Portugal and West Germany, 285 aircraft.

SNJ Texan

• SNJ-1
  United States Navy designation same as BC-1 with metal-covered rear-fuselage, 16 built.
• SNJ-2
  Same as SNJ-1 but with a R-1340-56 engine and detailed changes, 61 built.
• SNJ-3
  Same as AT-6A, 270 built and 296 transferred from USAAC.
• SNJ-3C
  SNJ-3 converted as deck landing trainers with arrester gear, twelve modified.
• SNJ-4
  Same as AT-6C, 1240 built.
• SNJ-4C
  SNJ-4s converted as deck landing trainers with arrester gear.
• SNJ-5
  AT-6Ds transferred from the USAAC, 1573 aircraft.
• SNJ-5C
  SNJ-5s converted as deck landing trainers with arrester gear.
• SNJ-6
  AT-6Fs transferred from the USAAF, 411 aircraft.
• SNJ-7
  Early models modified to T-6G standards in 1952.
• SNJ-7B
  An armed variant of the SNJ-7.
• SNJ-8
  Order for 240 cancelled.

Harvard

• Harvard I
  Similar to BC-1 but without rear gun and with a 600hp R-1340-S3H1 engine, 400 aircraft.
• Harvard II
  Similar to BC-1A, 526 built, again without provision for rear gunner.
• Harvard IIA (RAF & Commonwealth)
  AT-6C, many with wooden rear fuselages when first delivered.
• Harvard IIA (RCAF)
  'Armed' Harvard II - Any RCAF Harvard II & IIB fitted with guns (in the wing), rockets or bombs.
• Harvard IIB
  Noorduyn built Mk.II's, some to US orders as AT-16's for lend-lease. Transfers back from the USAAF (1800) and 757 built.
• Harvard T.T. IIB
  Target Tug - 42 aircraft built for the RAF by Noorduyn. Number probably included in II totals.
• Harvard IIF
  Bombing/gunnery trainer - One-off modified from Mk.II with bomb aimers blister and AT-6 cockpit.
• Harvard III
  AT-6D, 537 aircraft for RAF.
• Harvard 4
  Development of Harvard II paralleling the T-6G, and built by Canadian Car & Foundry, 270 for the RCAF and 285 for USAF. Some publications refer to these as T-6J however the aircraft record cards do not use this designation.

A-27

• North American A-27
  Tandem two-seat attack version of the AT-6 with a 785hp R-1820-75 engine and five O.3in machine guns (two in nose, one on each wing and one dorsal). Designation used for ten aircraft for Thailand impressed into United States Army Air Corps use.

North American company designation

• NA-16
  Prototype for entire family of aircraft.
• NA-18
  NA-16 modified to USAAC requirements.
• NA-19
  BT-9 slightly modified from NA-18.
• NA-19A
  BT-9A Armed version of BT-9.
• NA-20
  BT-9 Demonstrator built for China.
• NA-22
  Re-engined BT-9.
• NA-23
  BT-9B Some minor changes from BT-9, unarmed.
• NA-26
  BC-1 Basic Combat Demonstrator aircraft, First Retractable Gear Variant. Sold to RCAF.
• NA-27
  As per NA-26 but for demonstration in Europe.
• NA-28
  NJ-1 BT-9 built to USN specifications.
• NA-29
  Y1BT-10, BT-9C & BT-9D Minor improvements over earlier BT-9's
• NA-30
  Intended production version of Y1BT-10, cancelled. Similar to BT-9 but different engine.
• NA-31
  As per BT-9C but with a different engine for Sweden as a pattern aircraft for the Sk 14.
• NA-32
  Pattern aircraft for Australian Government.
• NA-33
  Pattern aircraft for Australian Government built as Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Wirraway (755 built).
• NA-34
  Variant of BT-9 for Argentina. First major export order for NAA.
• NA-36
  The BC-1
• NA-44
  Prototype single-seat export fighter based on BC-1A; one built, sold to Canada.
• NA-55
  The BC-1A
• NA-59
  The AT-6
• NA-69
  Attack version for Thailand, not delivered became the A-27.
• NA-72
  Attack version for Brazil, 30 built.
• NA-74
  Attack version for Chile.
• NA-88
  The AT-6D (last 800 as NA.121)
• NA-121
  The last 800 AT-6Ds

Operators

• Argentina
  Argentine Naval Aviation
• Austria
  Austrian Air Force
• Belgium
  Belgian Air Force
• Biafra
  Biafran Air Force
• Bolivia
  Bolivian Air Force
  Naval Aviation
• Brazil
  Brazilian Air Force
• Canada
  Royal Canadian Air Force
  Royal Canadian Navy
  National Research Council
• Republic of China (Taiwan)
  Republic of China Air Force
• Chile
  Chilean Air Force
• Colombia
  Colombian Air Force
• Republic of the Congo
  Congolese Air Force
• Cuba
  Cuban Air and Air Defense Force
• Denmark
  Royal Danish Air Force
• Dominican Republic
  Dominican Air Force
• El Salvador
  Air Force of El Salvador
• France
  French Air Force
• Gabon
  Gabon Air Force
• Germany
  Luftwaffe
• Greece
  Hellenic Air Force
• Haiti
  Armed Forces of Haiti
• Hong Kong
  Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force
• Honduras
  Honduran Air Force
• India
  Royal Indian Air Force
  Indian Air Force
• Indonesia
  Indonesian Air Force - ex-Dutch aircraft.
• Iran
  Iranian Air Force
• Israel
  Israeli Air Force
• Italy
  Aeronautica Militare
• Japan
  Japan Air Self-Defense Force
• Katanga
• Lebanon
  Lebanese Air Force
• South Korea
  Republic of Korea Air Force
• Laos
  Royal Laotian Air Force
• Mexico
  Mexican Air Force
• Morocco
  Royal Moroccan Air Force
• Netherlands
  Royal Netherlands Air Force
  Dutch Naval Aviation Service
  Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force - Post war
• Mozambique
  Mozambique Air and Air Defense Forces
• New Zealand
  Royal New Zealand Air Force
• Norway
  Royal Norwegian Air Force
• Nicaragua
  Nicaraguan Air Force
• Pakistan
  Pakistan Air Force
• Paraguay
  Paraguayan Air Force
  Paraguayan Naval Aviation
• Philippines
  Philippine Air Force
• Portugal
  Portuguese Air Force
  Portuguese Navy
• South Africa
  South African Air Force
• Southern Rhodesia
  Southern Rhodesian Air Force
• South Vietnam
  Vietnam Air Force
• Spain
  Spanish Air Force
• Soviet Union
  Soviet Air Forces
• Sweden
  Swedish Air Force
• Switzerland
  Swiss Air Force
• Syria
  Syrian Air Force
• Thailand
  Royal Thai Air Force
• Tunisia
  Tunisian Air Force
• Turkey
  Turkish Air Force: 196 planes of various types
• United Kingdom
  Royal Air Force
  Royal Navy
• United States
  United States Army Air Corps/Army Air Forces
  United States Air Force
  United States Navy
  United States Marine Corps
  United States Coast Guard
• Uruguay
  Uruguayan Air Force
• Venezuela
  Venezuelan Air Force
• Yugoslavia
  SFR Yugoslav Air Force
• Zaire

Specifications (T-6G)

General characteristics
Crew: two (student and instructor)
Length: 29 ft (8.84 m)
Wingspan: 42 ft (12.81 m)
Height: 11 ft 8 in (3.57 m)
Wing area: 253.7 ft² (23.6 m²)
Empty weight: 4,158 lb (1,886 kg)
Loaded weight: 5,617 lb (2,548 kg)
Powerplant: 1× Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 Wasp radial engine, 600 hp (450 kW)

Performance
Maximum speed: 208 mph at 5,000 ft (335 km/h at 1,500 m)
Cruise speed: 145 mph (233 km/h)
Range: 730 miles (1,175 km)
Service ceiling: 24,200 ft (7,400 m)
Rate of climb: ft/min (m/s)
Wing loading: lb/ft² (kg/m²)
Power/mass: hp/lb (kW/kg)

Armament
Provision for up to 3× 0.30 in (7.62 mm) machine gun