North American T-6 Texan

North American Aviation · United States · first flew 1935 · light aircraft

The North American T-6 Texan (Harvard outside the USA) is the most famous Allied advanced trainer of WWII, used by every major Allied air force to convert pilots onto high-performance aircraft.

Recognition (WEFT)

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

• Distinctive rasping radial engine sound
• Tandem canopy with humped rear cockpit fairing
• Retractable undercarriage on a WWII-era advanced trainer

Instantly recognisable by the rasp of the Pratt & Whitney Wasp radial, the humped rear cockpit fairing, and the rounded tapered wing; one of the most familiar warbirds in the world.

Specifications

• The North American T-6 Texan has a length of 8.85 m (29 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 12.8 m (42 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 335 km/h (208 mph).
• Typical crew: 2 (tandem).

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Developed from the BC-1, it first flew in 1935 and entered service as the T-6 in 1938; over 17,000 were built. It served in every theatre and its graduates flew Spitfires, Hurricanes, Mustangs, and Wildcats.

Variants

Variants include the T-6A through T-6G, the Harvard Mk I–IV for Commonwealth forces, and post-war T-6G rebuilt examples; the modern T-6 Texan II is an entirely different turboprop type.

Where you'll see it

Used by virtually every Allied nation during WWII; many remain airworthy worldwide and are a staple of warbird airshows.

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