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North American AT-6D Texan N-Listings North American T-6G Texan

North American XAT-6E Texan-Ranger
WWII single-engine two-seat low-wing advanced trainer monoplane


Archive Photos ¹


North American XAT-6E-NT Texan-Ranger (NA-88, replica, as AF 42-84241, c/n 88-16022) on display (9/1/2001) at the Western Museum of Flight, Hawthorne, California (Photo by John Shupek)

North American XAT-6E-NT Texan-Ranger (NA-88, replica, as AF 42-84241, c/n 88-16022) on display (1/121/2008) at the Cable Air Show, Cable Airport, Upland, California (Photo by John Shupek copyright © 2008 Skytamer Images)

Overview ²


  • North American T-6 Texan/SNJ/Harvard
  • Role: Trainer aircraft
  • Manufacturer: North American Aviation
  • First flight: 1 April 1935
  • Primary users: United States Army Air Forces; United States Navy; Royal Air Force; South African Air Force
  • Number built: 15,495
  • Developed from: North American NA-16
  • Variants: North American A-27

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 1950’s. 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 and USAAF designated it as the AT-6, the United States Navy the SNJ, and British Commonwealth air forces, the Harvard, the name it is best known by outside of the US. After 1962, US forces designated it the T-6. It remains a popular warbird aircraft used for airshow demonstrations and static displays.

One North American AT-6D (AF 42-84241) was converted with the 575-hp Ranger V770-9 12-cylinder inverted air-cooled engine as the XAT-6E. While is proved to be the fastest of all AT-6 versions in testing at 244 mph, no production was planned. During the 1990’s, The Western Museum of Flight, Hawthorne, California converted a North American AT-6D Texan to the North American XAT-6E Texan-Ranger configuration with the Ranger V770-9 engine. The above photos were taken on 9/1/2001 during the "Roll-Out" ceremony at the Western Museum of Flight, and at the 2008 Cable Air show.

Development ²


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-cal 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-16’s 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 1950’s 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 1950’s, and supplied to the RCAF, USAF and Bundeswehr.

A total of 15,495 T-6’s of all variants were built.

Combat Use ²


During the Korean War and, to a lesser extent, the Vietnam War, T-6’s 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 1950’s, 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 1990’s (as a chase plane for helicopter test flights, 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 EALA’s active. The largest unit was the Groupe d’Aviation Légère d’Appui 72, which consisted of up to 21 EALA’s.

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-6G’s.

In 1957-58, the Spanish Air Force used T-6’s as counterinsurgency 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.

The Pakistan Air Force used T-6G’s in the 1971 war as a night ground support aircraft hitting enemy soft transport vehicles. In the early hours of 5 December, during a convoy interdiction mission in the same area, Squadron Leader Israr Quresh’s T-6G Harvard was hit by enemy ground fire and a shell fractured the pilot’s right arm. Profusely bleeding, the pilot flew the aircraft Back with his left hand and landed safely. The World War II vintage prop-engine trainers were pressed into service and performed satisfactorily in the assigned role of enemy convoys at night.

Mainly as a result of the United Nations arms embargo against South Africa’s Apartheid policies, T-6’s remained in service with the South African Air Force as a basic trainer until 1995. They were replaced by Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II turboprop trainers.

In Popular Culture ²


After WWII, the National Air Races established a unique racing class for the AT-6/Texan/Harvard aircraft; This class continues today at the Reno National Air Races each year.

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-6’s painted in Japanese markings represent Mitsubishi Zeroes, whereas in A Bridge too Far it represented the razorBack Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. The T-6 also appeared in the Pat Benatar video for Shadows of the Night. The New Zealand Warbirds "Roaring 40’s" aerobatic team use ex-Royal New Zealand Air Force Harvard’s.

Recent Research Testbed ²


The Harvard 4 has also been recently used in Canada as a testbed aircraft for evaluating cockpit attitude displays. Its aerobatic capability permits the instructor pilot to maneuver the ship into unusual attitudes, then turn the craft over to an evaluator pilot in the "blind" rear cockpit to recover, based on one of several digitally-generated attitude displays.

Variants ³


North American BC Series

  • BC-1 — Basic Combat trainer version initial production version with 600-hp 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 center section.
  • BC-1I — BC-1s converted to instrument trainers, 30 modified.

North American AT-6 Texan Series:

  • AT-6 Texan — Same as BC-1A with minor changes, powered by a 600-hp R-1340-47 and armed with forward-firing 0.3-in machine gun, nine original started as BC-1A’s and 85 built.
  • AT-6A Texan — Same as AT-6 but with 600-hp R-1340-49 and removable wing center 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 Texan — Same as AT-6A but with 600-hp R-1340-AN-1 and dorsal gun fitted as standard, 400 built.
  • AT-6C Texan — 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 Texan — 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 Texan — One AT-6D re-engine with a 575-hp V-770-9 engine for trials.
  • AT-6F Texan — 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.

Noorduyn AT-16 Harvard Series:

  • Noorduyn AT-16 Harvard — Noorduyn built AT-6A’s for lend-lease as Harvard’s, 1800 built.

T-6 Texan Series

  • T-6A Texan — AT-6A’s re-designated in 1948.
  • T-6C Texan — AT-6C’s re-designated in 1948 including 68 re-builds with new serial numbers.
  • T-6D Texan — AT-6D re-designated in 1948 including 35 re-builds with new serial numbers.
  • T-6F Texan — AT-6F re-designated in 1948.
  • T-6G Texan — 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 600-hp R-1340-AN-1 engine. 2068 modified.
  • LT-6G Texan — T-6G’s converted for battlefield surveillance and forward air controller duties, 97 modified.
  • T-6H Texan — Number of T-6F’s converted T-6G standard.
  • T-6J Texan — Designated used for Canadian-built Harvard Mk.IV’s supplied to Belgian, France, Italy, Portugal and West Germany, 285 aircraft.

SNJ Texan Series

  • 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-6D’s transferred from the USAAC, 1573 aircraft.
  • SNJ-5C — SNJ-5s converted as deck landing trainers with arrester gear.
  • SNJ-6 — AT-6F’s 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 canceled.

Harvard Series

  • Harvard I — Similar to BC-1 but without rear gun and with a 600-hp 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 785-hp R-1820-75 engine and five O.3-in 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 Aviation Company Designations ³


NAA Charge No.NAA Model or DesignationCustomerEngine InstalledNumberNotes
NA-16NA-16USAACWright R-975-E3 Whirlwind (420-hp)1Prototype NX-2080, was open cockpit, received greenhouse canopy for trials
NA-18NA-18USAAC (trials)Wright R-975-E3 Whirlwind (420-hp)1 (modified)Ex-NA-16, won against Seversky BT-8 and Curtiss-Wright CW-19R, to Argentina in 1937
NA-19NA-19, BT-9USAACWright R-975-7 Whirlwind (400-hp)42Minor changes from NA-18, new canopy
NA-19ANA-19A, BT-9AUSAACWright R-975-7 Whirlwind (400-hp)40Armed BT-9 with one cowl gun and one rear flexible gun, and suitably modified canopy.
NA-20NA-16-2HTrials, to Honduras (FAH)Wright R-975 Whirlwind (Unknown sub-type)1NC16025 originally intended as demonstrator for China
NA-22NA-22USAAC (rejected)Wright R-760ET (J-6-7) (225-hp)1Dangerously underpowered
NA-23NA-23, BT-9BUSAACWright R-975-7 Whirlwind (400-hp)117Unarmed. 1 modified as sole BT-9D as BT-14 prototype with new outer wings and other alterations.
NA-26BC-1Trials, to Canada (RCAF)P&W R-1340-S3H1 Wasp (550-hp)1Basic Combat Demonstrator NX18990 - no relation to later BC-1, first retractable gear variant, later modified with Yale parts.
NA-27NA-16-2HTo Fokker and Royal Netherlands AFP&W R-1340-S2H1 Wasp (500-hp)1European demonstrator armed NA-26 with fixed gear.
NA-28NJ-1USNP&W R-1340-6 Wasp (550-hp)40USN specification up engine BT-9 as advanced trainer, some re-engine with later R-1340 versions.
NA-29BT-9CUSAACWright R-975-7 Whirlwind (400-hp)67as per BT-9A with minor changes. First aircraft completed as Y1BT-10.
NA-30BT-10USAAC (canceled)P&W R-1340-41 Wasp (600-hp)0canceled production version of Y1BT-10
NA-31NA-16-4M, Sk-14, Sk-14ASweden (Flygvapnet)Wright R-975-E3 Whirlwind (420-hp)
Piaggio P VIIc (525-hp)
137BT-9C but different engine variant. Licence production (NAA built 1, ASJA 76, SAAB 60), Trialled undercarriage for Saab 21.
NA-32NA-16-1AAustralia (RAAF)P&W R-1340 Wasp1Fixed gear pattern aircraft similar to NJ-1 or Y1BT-10, not followed up.
NA-33NA-16-2K, WirrawayAustralia (RAAF)P&W R-1340-S1H1G (600-hp)756Retractable gear pattern aircraft for Australia, 1 built by NAA and 755 by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation)
NA-34NA-16-4PArgentina (FAA)Wright R-975-E3 Whirlwind (420-hp)29First major export order (not licence), had 2 cowl guns, a flexible rear gun and a radio mast
NA-36BC-1USAACP&W R-1340-47 Wasp (500-hp)177Retractable undercarriage and first aircraft with square bottom rudder. Large DF loop between undercarriage, blister covering fuel transfer gear along centerline aft of wheel wells.
NA-37NA-16-4R, KXA1Japan (IJN) (Evaluation)P&W R-985-9CG Wasp Junior (500-hp)1Technology demonstrator, unarmed, fixed landing gear and three bladed prop.
NA-38NA-16-4MSweden (Flygvapnet)Wright R-975-E3 Whirlwind (420-hp)1same as NA-31
NA-41NA-16-4China (ROCAF)Wright R-975 Whirlwind35Similar to BT-9C with short fabric covered fuselage, combat aircraft with two fixed forward guns and one flexible rear gun.
NA-42NA-16-2AHonduras (FAH)P&W R-1340 Wasp (520-hp)2 
NA-43NA-16-1GBrazil (Army) (canceled)Wright R-975 Whirlwind0Similar to BT-9C
NA-44NA-44to Canada (RCAF)Wright SG-1820-F52 Cyclone (750-hp)1Prototype two-seat export combat aircraft similar to BC-1A
NA-45NA-16-1GVVenezuela (FAV)P&W R-1340 Wasp3Possibly originally built to Brazilian contract
NA-46NA-16-4Brazil (Navy)Wright R-975-53 Whirlwind(400-hp)12Similar to BT-9C with wingtip slats, small DF loop under fuselage.
NA-47NA-16-4RW, KXA-2Japan (IJN) (Evaluation)Wright R-975-E3 Whirlwind (420-hp)1Technology demonstrator
NA-48NA-16-3CChina (ROCAF)P&W R-1340 Wasp15Similar to NA-45
NA-49NA-16-1E, Harvard IUnited Kingdom (RAF)P&W R-1340-S3H1 Wasp (600-hp)400Straight wing trailing edge, square rudder, short fabric covered fuselage, fixed rear canopy, no blister under wing center section
NA-50NA-50Peru (FAP)Wright R-1820-G3 Cyclone7Single seat fighter, NA-16-5
NA-52SNJ-1USNP&W R-1340-6 Wasp(500-hp)16Short metal fuselage, square rudder, late wings, fixed rear on canopy
NA-54BC-2USAACP&W R-1340-45 Wasp (600-hp)3Based on NA-36 with some improvements from NA-44, 3 bladed prop and two blister under wing center section.
NA-55-1BC-1AUSAACP&W R-1340-47/-49 Wasp (600-hp)83Bought for reserve and Air National Guard units.
NA-56NA-16-4China (ROCAF)P&W R-1340 Wasp50Similar to NA-55 (long metal fuselage, fixed gear and engine differences)
NA-57NA-57, NAA 57 P-2France (Armée de l’Air)Wright R-975-E3 Whirlwind (420-hp)230Improved NA-23, many captured and used by Germany, some retained by Vichy France
NA-58BT-14, BT-14AUSAACP&W R-985-25 Wasp Junior251Similar to Harvard II except for fixed undercarriage and smaller engine. 27 re-engine with 400-hp (298-kW) P&W R-985-11 as BT-14A
NA-59AT-6-NAUSAACP&W R-1340-47 Wasp (600-hp)94First examples converted from NA-55 while still on production line, some examples had small DF loop installed
NA-61NA-16-1E, Harvard ICanada (RCAF)P&W R-1340-S3H1 Wasp (600-hp)30Later fitted with extended exhaust for cabin heater
NA-64NA-64, NAA 64-P2/Yale IFrance (Armée de l’Air)Wright R-975-E3 Whirlwind (420-hp)230119 to Canada (RCAF) as Yale I, briefly used by France, many captured by Germany
NA-65SNJ-2USNP&W R-1340-36 Wasp36Blister covering fuel transfer gear along centerline aft of wheel wells
NA-66Harvard IIUnited Kingdom (RAF)P&W R-1340 Wasp600as per NA-59 but fixed rear canopy and no rear gun, also to RNZAF and RCAF, Southern Rhodesia
NA-68NA-50A, P-64Thailand (RTAF)Wright R-1820-77 Cyclone (870-hp)6Short outer wing panel angled much further forward than earlier types. Diverted with start of Pacific war to USAAF as P-64
NA-69NA-44, A-27Thailand (RTAF)Wright R-1820-75 Cyclone (745-hp)10Fully armed as attack aircraft. Diverted with start of Pacific war to USAAF as A-27
NA-71NA-16-3Venezuela (FAV)P&W R-1340-S3H1 Wasp (550-hp)3Two nose guns and rear gun, no wing guns.
NA-72NA-44Brazil (Army)P&W R-1340-AN1/S1H1 Wasp (600-hp)30Attack bomber, fitted with small DF loop under fuselage.
NA-74NA-44Chile (FACh)P&W R-1340 Wasp12Attack bomber, fitted with small DF loop under fuselage.
NA-75Harvard IICanada (RCAF)P&W R-1340 Wasp100Follow on order to NA-66
NA-76Harvard IIUnited Kingdom (RAF)P&W R-1340 Wasp450Originally ordered by France, taken over by RAF, many to RCAF
NA-77AT-6A, SNJ-3USAAC, USNP&W R-1340 Wasp637same as NA-66
NA-78AT-6A, SNJ-3/3CUSAAC, USNP&W R-1340 Wasp568As NA-77, first aircraft built in Texas, and to use name "Texan"
NA-79SNJ-2USNP&W R-1340-56 Wasp25 
NA-81Harvard IIUnited Kingdom (RAF)P&W R-1340 Wasp125same as previous RAF Harvard II order.
NA-84AT-6BUSAACP&W R-1340-AN-1 Wasp (600-hp)400 
NA-85SNJ-3USNP&W R-1340 Wasp0canceled duplicate of NA-78 for record purposes.
NA-88AT-6C, AT-6D, XAT-6E, SNJ-4, SNJ-5USAAC/USAAF, USNP&W R-1340 Wasp/Ranger V-7709,331(last 800 as NA-121) AT-6D used 24 volt electrics, vs previous 12 volt systems. XAT-6E used Ranger V-770.
NA-119AT-6DBrazil (FAB)P&W R-1340 Wasp8120 examples built in Brazil under licence
NA-121AT-6D, AT-6FUSAAF, USNP&W R-1340 Wasp4,378800 AT-6D’s, 211 SNJ-5, 956 AT-6F and 411 SNJ-6. AT-6F and SNJ-6 have clear fixed rear canopy section
NA-128AT-6DUSAAF, USNP&W R-1340 Wasp0Canceled orders to have been built in Texas.
NA-168T-6G, LT-6GUSAF/US ANGP&W R-1340 Wasp109Re-manufactured and updated from earlier versions. Mostly internal but canopy simplified slightly.
NA-182T-6G, LT-6GUSAF/US ANGP&W R-1340 Wasp824as per NA-168, Re-manufactured/updated.
NA-186Harvard IVCanada (RCAF)/US MDAPP&W R-1340 Wasp555Design Data for Canadian Car and Foundry possibly to build Harvard IV or T-6G, sole new post war production.
NA-188T-6G, LT-6GUSAF/US ANGP&W R-1340 Wasp107Re-manufactured and converted from earlier versions.
NA-195T-6G, LT-6GUSAF/US ANGP&W R-1340 Wasp11Re-manufactured and converted from earlier versions.
NA-197T-6GUSAF/US ANGP&W R-1340 Wasp110Re-manufactured and converted from T-6D.
NA-198SNJ-8USNP&W R-1340 Wasp0canceled Contract for SNJ-8 (similar to T-6G)

Operators ²


  • Argentina: Argentine Air Force
  • Austria: Austrian Air Force
  • Belgium: Belgian Air Force
  • Biafra: Biafran Air Force
  • Bolivia: Bolivian Air Force
  • Brazil: Brazilian Air Force
  • Canada: Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Canadian Navy
  • 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
  • Hong Kong: Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force
  • Honduras: Honduran Air Force
  • India: Royal Indian Air Force, Indian Air Force
  • Iran: Iranian Air Force
  • Israel: Israeli Air Force
  • Italy: Aeronautica Militare
  • Japan: Japan Air Self-Defense Force
  • Katanga:
  • 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
  • Mozambique: Mozambique Air and Air Defense Forces
  • New Zealand: Royal New Zealand Air Force
  • Norway: Royal Norwegian 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
  • 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 XAT-6E Texan-Ranger (NA-88) 4,5


Note: The following specifications and performance data refer to the AT-6D except as noted for the XAT-6E.

Type:

  • Two-seat Advanced Training monoplane.
  • The XAT-6E Texan-Ranger was a "one-of" converted AT-6D with a Ranger V-770-9 12-cylinder engine

Wings:

  • Low-wing cantilever monoplane.
  • Two spar rectangular center-section and two single-spar tapered outer sections with detachable wing-tips.
  • All-metal structure with aluminum-alloy spars and ribs and a smooth Alclad skin.
  • Aerodynamically and statically-balanced ailerons have metal frames and fabric covering.
  • Split-type trailing-edge flaps between ailerons.

Fuselage:

  • Welded chrome-molybdenum steel-tube structure from fireproof bulkhead to rear cockpit, remainder of aluminum-alloy semi-monocoque construction.
  • Side panels of the forward section are of aluminum-alloy and are removable.

Tail Unit:

  • Cantilever monoplane type.
  • Aluminum-alloy framework, fixed surfaces covered with Alclad sheet and movable surfaces with fabric.
  • Elevators and rudder have trim-tabs controllable both cockpits.

Landing Gear:

  • Retractable cantilever type, with wheels folding inwards.
  • Retraction by engine-driven hydraulic pump.
  • Hydraulic wheel-brakes.
  • Full-swiveling steerable tail-wheel.

Power Plant:

  • One 575-hp Ranger V770-9 twelve=-cylinder inverted air cooled engine. (XAT-6E) 5
  • Hamilton Standard two-blade constant-speed airscrew.
  • Fuel tanks, 111 US gallons capacity (420.2 liters) in center-section.
  • Oil tank, (10.2 U.S. gallons (38.6 liters) in engine compartment.

Accommodation:

  • Tandem cockpits with individually-operated sliding enclosures.
  • Complete dual flight and engine controls in each cockpit.
  • Adjustable seat in front cockpit, rotating and adjustable gunner’s seat and Back cockpit.

Systems:

  • 24-volt electrical system.
  • No photographic equipment.

Armament:

  • One 0.30-in (7.7 mm) machine-gun in starboard side of fuselage forward of pilot’s cockpit.
  • One 0.30-in (7.7 mm) machine gun in leading-edge starboard outer wing.
  • One 0.30-in (7.7 mm) machine gun on flexible mounting in the rear cockpit.

Dimensions:

  • Span: 42 ft 0¼ in (12.9 m)
  • Length: 28 ft 117/8 in (8.8 m)
  • Height: 11 ft 8½ in (3.5 m)
  • Wing area: 253.7 ft² (23.6 m²

Weights and Loadings:

  • Weight empty: 4,158 lb (1,888 kg)
  • disposable load: 1,142 lb (518 kg)
  • Normal loaded weight: 5,250 lb (2,383 kg)
  • Wing loading: 20.8 lb/ft² (101.5 kg/m²)
  • Power loading: 9.6 lb/hp (4.35 kg/hp)

Performance:

  • Maximum speed (XAT-6E): 244 mph (392.68 km/h) 5
  • Cruising speed at 5,000 ft (1,525 m): 170 mph (272 km/h)
  • Landing speed: 63 mph (101 km/h)
  • Service ceiling: 21,500 ft (6,560 m)
  • Normal range: 750 miles (1,200 km)

References


  1. Photos: John Shupek, Copyright © 2001, 2008 Skytamer Images. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
  2. Wikepedia, the free encyclopedia, T-6 Texan
  3. Wikepedia, the free encyclopedia, T-6 Variants
  4. Bridgman, Leonard, "The North American Texan," Jane’s All The World’s Aircraft 1947, London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd., 1947, pp 271c - 272c
  5. Avery, Norm. "North American NA-16/-198 AT-6/SNJ Texan," North American Aircraft 1934-1998, Volume 1, Santa Ana: Narkiewicz//Thompson, 1998, ISBN 0-913322-05-0, pp 16-49

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