History:
The “Texan” was built in the United States of America, and sent to our ally New Zealand. The New Zealand Air Force operated the “Harvard” from 1944 to 1976, when they were sold as surplus. An American Paul Bryce (Brice) bid on thirty of the aircraft in the surplus sale. The New Zealand government decided that they wanted to keep the “Harvard” in New Zealand, and Australia, so only one was sold to Mr. Bryce, serial number 41-34050, Royal New Zealand Air Force number NZ1079. The aircraft was shipped from New Zealand to the east coast of the United States. Upon arrival in the U.S. it was cleared through customs, and then the aircraft was assembled, and flown by Mr. Bryce until August 1991. It was purchased by Gerald Morgan, of Anchorage, Alaska. A new paint job was accomplished in 1992, and that is the present scheme. Royal New Zealand Air Force. There are a couple Alaskan touches, State of Alaska Flags, on the aircraft. The aircraft presently resides at the “Vintage Flying Museum” Fort Worth, Tx Hangar 33S. NW 38th Street Fort Worth, Tx. Meacham International Airport Fort Worth, Tx.
Registration Number | Date of Manufacture |
N101NZ | 1944 |
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: |
10 gallons | 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 |
1800 | 155 mph |
Service Ceiling | Number of Crew |
21,500 feet | Two |
Armament | Bomb Load |
None | None |
Number Built | Number Surviving |
13000 | 800+ |
Restoration
The paint scheme was applied by Dan Calderal, of the Red Lion Airport, Nj. The red, and white engine cowl signifies the “Red Checker” (Chequers) Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, the aero demonstration team. The orange, and grey areas were the colors at time of surplus. There is a Kiwi in the roundels to signify New Zealand. The flight controls were redone in 2001, and the airplane has been maintained by Steve Swift, Bob Roth, and Patrick Mahaffey, and a company of volunteers from the Vintage Flying Museum. Gerry Morgan still has ownership, and also flies the aircraft along with Steve, Bob, and Patrick.
Restoration Images
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