General Background
The T-6 trainer was one of the most important aircrafts of all time. It was used by 34 countries with a total of 17,096 built. An estimation of over 100,000 U.S. military pilots flew these aircraft.
It was in late 1930's North American Aviation began to deliver the T-6 Texan for the USAAF and the SNJ version for the USN. The Texan got its name because of production in the Dallas, Texas plant of North America. It was known as the "Harvard" for those built in Canada.
Though basically built as a trainer aircraft, the T-6 was used in multiple roles include interceptor, fighter bomber and counter-insurgency (COIN) aircraft during the conflicts of WWII, the Korea War and the Vietnam War. It was also extensively used by the civilians for different purposes.Despite all these, T-6 was still best known as a universal trainer - the Pilot Maker.
The Aircraft
The 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 sea level. A Harvard was the longest-serving RAF aeroplane, with an example, taken on strength in 1945, still serving in the 1990s.
Specifications :
Manufacturer: North American Aviation
Purpose: Originally an Advanced Trainer
Powerplant: 600 HP Pratt and Whitney R-1340-AN-1
Length:
29 ft. 6 in.
Wing Span: 42 ft.
Height: 11 ft. 9 in.
Maximum Speed: 205 MPH
Cruising Speed: 170 MPH
Service Ceiling: 21,500 ft.
Range: 750 mi.
Weight: Empty 4,158 lb. / Maximum 5,300 lb.
Average Fuel Consumption:
30 GPH
Armament: Allowance made for 1 x 0.30 in. (7.62 mm) Machine Gun
Uitvoering;
- Harvard IIB Trainer - KF625 "Cymru Am Byth", 1340 Flight, RAF, Kenya 1955.
