History:
This T-6G shares an important date in history of America and WWII. This airplane was “born” and delivered to the U.S. Army Air Corp on December 7, 1942. One year exactly after the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor.
This T-6G also shares the same commissioning date of the famous USS Bowfin (SS-287) a fleet attack submarine that fought in the Pacific during WWII, and helped to make famous the term, “Silent Service.” Bowfin was launched on 7 December 1942, exactly one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor. She was nicknamed the Pearl Harbor Avenger, so it is fitting that her permanent home is at Pearl Harbor Memorial in, Hawai’i.
This trainer served the remainder of WWII in flight schools across Texas. Like so many others of her type, these aircraft became popularly known as the “Texan” because of their service at flight schools across Texas. They were also referred to as “The Pilot Maker” because nearly all WWII air cadets trained in these aircraft before moving into their final role as fighter pilots.
This particular Texan “survived” the war years intact and continued to serve the Army until June 1949, when it was transferred to the newly formed U.S. Air Force. It was in the first group of these trainer aircraft transferred from the Army Air Corp to the USAF.
To meet the Air Forces new needs, this aircraft was completely remanufactured by North American Aircraft Company and delivered back to the USAF in April 1950 as a “new” T-6G.
In April 1958, this T-6G was decommissioned from the USAF inventory as they moved from propeller driven airplanes into the jet age and jet trainers.
Lucky for us today, this T-6G was “rescued” by a private individual in 1961. In 1972, after its first 30 years, it was once again totally dismantled and overhauled.
The Navy paint scheme you see today went on the airplane in 1983 and the rebuilt 600 horsepower engine was hung in 1988.
Since then, constant care and maintenance has kept her airworthy and tip-top shape.
This T-6G is based at the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport Latrobe Pennsylvania.
General History:
• The T-6 Texan is known as “the pilot maker” because of its role in preparing pilots for combat during WW II.
• In 1940, the required flight training hours for combat pilots was 200 hours. 75 hours were logged in the T-6 Texan.
• In all, more than 17,000 “Texan” aircraft were built. Today, only 400 T-6 Texans remain in airworthy condition in the United States and Canada.
| Registration Number | Date of Manufacture |
| N66JB | 1942 |
| Aircraft Role | Nickname |
| Trainer | “Pilot Maker” |
| 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: |
| 140 | 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 |
| 155 mph | |
| Service Ceiling | Number of Crew |
| 21,500 feet | Two |
| Armament | Bomb Load |
| None | None |
| Number Built | Number Surviving |
| 13000 | 800+ |
Restoration Images
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Printable QR Codes for: Navy 821:
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