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North American AT-6A Texan

  • North American AT-6A Texan
  • North American AT-6A Texan
  • North American AT-6A Texan
  • North American AT-6A Texan

North American AT-6A Texan

Final Phase Trainer

US Army Air Forces, US Navy, and the British Royal Air Force used the AT-6/T-6 as a pilot and aerial gunner trainer during World War II. AT-6s were the aircraft used for the third and final phase of pursuit pilot training. The AT-6 aircraft are single- engine, low-wing monoplane trainers that allow the student and instructor to sit in tandem and could be fitted with bomb racks and reconnaissance cameras for additional training. Today, these aircraft are popular for airshow demonstrations.

Texan Storage

In the late 1940s, Hill Air Force Base performed repairs and modifications on the T-6 aircraft and its components. In the mid-1950s, personnel at Hill Air Force Base stored older variants of the T-6.

The Museum’s supporting foundation contracted a restoration firm to restore the AT-6 on display, using parts acquired from several sources. In 1996, after restoration, staff placed this airframe on permanent display at the Hill Aerospace Museum.

North American AT-6A Texan
North American AT-6A Texan Blueprint

North American AT-6A Texan

Serial Number: 039

Manufacturer: North American Aviation

Primary Function: Flight Training

Crew: Two (Instructor & Student)

Engines: One Pratt & Whitney R-1340-49 radial; 600 horsepower

Wingspan: 42 ft

Length: 29 ft

Height: 11 ft 9 in

Weight: 3,900 lbs; Maximum Takeoff Weight: 5,700 lbs

Speed: 210 mph

Range: 750 miles

Service Ceiling: 24,200 ft

Armament: Two 0.3-in (7.72mm) machine guns, 1 fixed, 1 trainable

Cost: $25,672

Years of Service: 1935 – 1950s

The AT-6A Texan at Hill Air Force Base

In the late 1940s, Hill Air Force Base performed repairs and modifications on the AT-6 aircraft and its components. By the late 1950s, Air Material Command and Hill Air Force Base oversaw phasing out of servicing several aircraft, including some AT-6 trainers.

The AT-6A displayed was constructed by an aircraft restoration firm at the request of the Aerospace Heritage Foundation of Utah, using parts acquired from several sources. In 1996, it was put onto permanent display at Hill Aerospace Museum.

Did the T-6 see combat?

Though it was primarily used for training purposes within the U.S. military, other allied militaries would eventually use the aircraft in combat roles.

What was the T-6?

This aircraft was used primarily for advanced training of pilots for the U.S. Army Air Forces, U.S. Navy and Allied Air Forces.

Was the AT-6A different than the T-6?

The AT-6A Texan was upgraded with a 600hp engine, forward firing machine guns and removable fuel tanks.

How many T-6s were built?

15,495 were built by North American Aviation between 1935 and 1952.

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