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United States' North American AT-6 trainer¹

North American AT-6G and SNJ-7B Texans:

Design

The North American AT-6 Texan became the most produced trainer.¹

Prototype

The NA-16, with a fixed undercarriage, first flew in April 1935.¹

The NA-26, with retractable undercarriage, first flew in 1937.¹

Production

• Produced by:
  • North American: 15,109¹
  • Noorduyn (Canada): 2,610¹

Variants

• NA-16: Prototype.¹
• NA-26: Prototype.¹ Had Pratt & Whitney R-1340 radial engine.¹
• BC-1 / Harvard I: First flew in February 1938.¹
• BC-1A / Harvard II: Metal skin covering.¹ Rudder was straight edged.¹
• Harvard IIA: Wood replaced alluminum.¹
• Harvard IIB: Canadian produced AT-6A.¹
• Harvard III: Electronics upgraded.¹ All metal construction.¹
• SNJ-1: US Navy trainer.¹
• SNJ-2: US Navy trainer.¹
• SNJ-3: US Navy trainer.¹ Instrument panel was modified.¹ Had R-1340-AN engine.¹
• SNJ-3C: US Navy trainer.¹ Had tailhook.¹
• SNJ-4: Wood replaced alluminum.¹
• SNJ-5: Electronics upgraded.¹ All metal construction.¹
• SNJ-6: Canopy was clear.¹
• AT-6: Was renamed in 1940 from BC-1A.¹
• AT-6A: Instrument panel was modified.¹
• AT-6B: Had R-1340-AN engine.¹
• AT-6C: Wood replaced alluminum.¹
• AT-6D: Electronics upgraded.¹ All metal construction.¹
• AT-6F: Rear canopy was clear.¹
• XAT-6E: Modified AT-6D with Ranger V-770-9 inverted V 12 engine (575 HP).¹

Usage

Countries that used the AT-6: Britain, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Southern Rhodesia, Soviet Union, Sweden, and the United States.¹

Sources:

1. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998