History:
N7572 is a North American AT-6D. It’s constructor number is 88-15335 and it’s serial number is 41-34018. The constructor number was assigned to it by North American, while the serial number was based on United States Army Air Corps’ contract number for that particular aircraft. She was built in November of 1943 and delivered to the USAAC. This aircraft was then delivered to the British via the Lend-Lease Act and given the designation Harvard III with the serial number of EZ145. There is a letter from the South African Ministry of Defense showing the aircraft on board the SS Conrad in March 1944 headed for South Africa. She served in the South African Air Force from 1944 until either 1992 or 1993. During her service she must have served as a close air support or gunnery training aircraft which is evidenced by the hard points under each wing. She also has the cut out for the .30cal gun in each wing and on the nose. Following SAAF service it is believed that it she was auctioned to Stu Davidson and had either ZU-ACU or ZU-AKX registrations. Possibly both.
| Registration Number | Date of Manufacture |
| N7572 | 1943 |
| Aircraft Role | Nickname |
| Trainer | “Wild Thang” |
| Aircraft Type: | Wingspan: |
| North American AT-6/SNJ/ Harvard | 42 feet .25 inches |
| Overall length: | Empty weight: |
| 29 feet 6 inches | 4158 pounds |
| Gross weight: | Fuel capacity: |
| 5300 pounds | 110 gallons/ 550 miles |
| Oil capacity | Engine type: |
| 10 Gals/40 Qts | Single 600 hp Pratt & Whitney R1340 AN-1 radial piston engine |
| Propeller type: | Max Speed |
| Hamilton Standard 12D40 | 205 mph |
| Rate of Climb | Cruise Speed |
| 1200ft/min | 155 mph |
| Service Ceiling | Number of Crew |
| 21,500 feet | Two |
| Armament | Bomb Load |
| None | None |
| Number Built | Number Surviving |
| 13000 | 800+ |
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Restoration
In 1993 she was purchased by Scott Henry and restored. The original engine on the aircraft at purchased remained. The engine was overhauled in 2000 by Tulsa and installed by Paul Redlich. It was improved by the addition of a Jabsco Alternator and Air Wolf oil filter. The instrument panels were repainted and the front panel was changed from standard. The current panel is light gray and the armament sub-panels were removed. She has a King KLX-135 GPS/COM and a Collins remote mount transponder. A smoke system was added, as was a P-51 style locking tailwheel, high roll rate ailerons and a clean kit to remove excess engine oil from the lower engine sump. She was painted in the current paint scheme with the addition of the “Wing Thang” panels and the Swedish roundel. It’s unknown as to why the last two had those painted that way.
The current owner has added a JP Instruments EDM-700 engine analyzer, Redline brakes, and an Oilmatic engine pre-oiler.
Restoration Images
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