NARRATIVE

North American Aviation, builder of the B-25 Mitchell bomber and the P-51 Mustang fighter, was also responsible for the design and production of one of the finest training and light attack aircraft in history. The AT-6 evolved from North American’s line of training aircraft that dated from 1935.  This series, the BT-9 through BT-14, along with the BC-1, was redesignated the AT (Advanced Trainer) in 1940.  The new plane was rapidly integrated into the Army aviation training program as the AT-6.  Cadet pilots advanced to the Texan after mastering flying skills in the Stearman Kaydet PT (Primary Trainer), and the Vultee Valiant BT (Basic Trainer).  U.S. Navy student pilots also flew the North American product which carried the Navy’s designation of SNJ.  During World War II, the plane was utilized in training and attack roles by several nations, including Great Britain, Canada, Australia and the Soviet Union.

Use of the Texan continued into the post war period.  In 1947, the plane was redesignated as the T-6 by the newly established U.S. Air Force and remained in active service in this country until 1958.  The aircraft has also performed in the armed forces of over fifty nations, including those of France, Israel, Spain, Brazil and New Zealand.  Modified BC-1s were known as the Harvard and Yale in Great Britain and Canada, and the Wirraway in Australia.  Since the Texan bears a resemblance to many Japanese WWII aircraft, altered T-6s have represented planes from that nation in films such as Tora, Tora, Tora, and others.