Across continents and in diverse climates, the T-6 Texan aircraft took raw recruits and molded them into seasoned aviators, equipping them with a comprehensive skill set—from aerobatics and instrument flying to intricate formation work, navigation, and even gunnery.
As the saying went: [QUOTE]
“If you can fly a T-6, you can fly anything.”
When an influx of surplus aircraft spurred a boom in the export market, the Texan emerged as the backbone of many burgeoning national Air Forces throughout the Cold War and beyond.
Its unmatched versatility allowed it to serve roles from basic training to reconnaissance, forward air control, and even counter-insurgency operations.
The North American T-6, the Allied force’s exclusive training aircraft during World War 2, had countless aliases. Whether it’s Texan, Harvard, Mosquito, or SNJ, here is one thing most agree on: the North American T-6 Texan is the ultimate Pilot Maker.
—
Join Dark Skies as we explore the world of aviation with cinematic short documentaries featuring the biggest and fastest airplanes ever built, top-secret military projects, and classified missions with hidden untold true stories. Including US, German, and Soviet warplanes, along with aircraft developments that took place during World War I, World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and special operations mission in between.
As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Skies sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect and soundtracks for emotional impact. We do our best to keep it as visually accurate as possible.
All content on Dark Skies is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas.
source
Has to be the most underrated plane of all time. 👍
The "Mustang" was named by the RAF.
You sound waaay too ominous when you talk
'Japanese' pilots flew this plane in many American-produced WW2 war movies.
I want one!!!
Got a few mixed up pics there son!
I flew one many years ago as a client of the North American Top Gun group. It was a fun flight and I still have the video tape made of that flight
my Dad earned his wings in the Royal Canadian Air Force version of this, the Harvard. Canada built about 3350 of them in WW2 and used them to train not only RCAF pilots but pilots from all over the British Commonwealth in the British Commonwealth Flight Training Plan, which trained over 130K air crew. There are many Harvards still flying here, particularly by the flying/restoration group Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association's flight museum near Toronto. I take a ride every summer. It never pales..
The engine sounds so attractive and powerful that I never get tired of listening to it
Flew them in the 1960's in New Zealand where it was known as the Harvard.
The Owls Head Transportation Museum in Owls Head Maine had one of these back in the eighties (they might still have it) and I was always suprised at how loud it was. It would create a deafening roar every time it took off.
I have a picture of Chuck Yeager looking like a Racoon with a band aid on his forehead after he crashed his T6 in Clayton GA back in 2003.
the texan was not the exclusive trainer of the allies, there was also the stearman and tiger moth, it was designed to train pilots on complex aircraft more akin to bombers and fighters, with vp props and retractable gear among other things, some would argue it is under powered, somewhat due to the flap in the middle on the fuselage however many have them wired shut in the modern day.
Probably the best trainer aircraft ever
Got to fly in a Navy model last summer. It was a very enjoyable ride!
ANyone else see the Fallout commercial?
Oh boy, someone is getting my money…
my grandfather is one of an Indonesian Air Force pilot on the early days, finished his training in the AT-6 in 1954. his photo posing beside the cockpit still being the highlight of my family.
Please…..
North American and the U.S.A.A.A.F. DIDN'T name the P-51 the 'Mustang', It was the British that came up with the name. In the U.S.A.A.F. The P-51/ A-36 was called the 'Apache'
I was at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand back in 68-69. The Thai's had a contingent of AT-6's on the other side of the base. Every month the pilots would do touch and goes for about an hour. I at times I would be sleeping during the day because I worked nights about 1/2 the time I was there. I would wake up and the sound was likened to Toro,Tora,Tora. During my time a Uban Royal Thai Air base the Thai's had AT 28s that had .50 cal gun pods under the wings.
Civilians who can afford to have their own planes also appreciate these old warbirds; Guitarist David Gilmour of Pink Floyd is one pilot who has owned a couple of these excellent, versatile aircraft in England, where they're not known as relics or war birds, but as really good airplanes.
I remember in the seventies reading in a aviation magazine that for the movie Tora Tora Tora that t-6 Texans were reworked into flying examples of Zero's, Nate's and Val's .
I had a chance to get checked out in a T 6 back in 1972. I loved flying it. I hated trying to land it. It ate my lunch every time. Tge instructor had to take it away from me every time. I never did solo it.
My dad trained in a T6. He always said it was his favorite plane to fly.
I love my T-6. Funnest airplane I’ve ever flown, other than the DC-3.
The British named the Mustang, not North American.
O-47s are NOT T-6s….just saying….and BT-13s are NOT T-6s EITHER…..WAY TOO MANY BT-13s in this!!!!!! There is SO MUCH USAAF and USN T-6/SNJ footage!!! You have NO EXCUSE for using so damn much BT-13 footage!!! …LAZY…is what that's called…
I loved most of this video it seemed well written except at the end when the narrator said armies instead of airforce's
The music doesn’t fit the video, it’s very distracting.
Looks my Rogue in GTA. I love that plane!
North American Aviation!!
LOTS OF BT -13s in this video
It was a fun aeroplane to fly. I trained in it on flying course 6404 as the last group to fly them in the RCAF.
And only real pilots could see the fatal flaw in this plane
The New Zealand airforce used them as trainers.
At 2:07 there is a tiny error. P-51 was named "Mustang" by the Brits, not by the manufacturer.
the British gave the Mustang it's name.
been flying my dad's SNJ-5 for many years, my first plane I learned aerobatics in