The T-6 Texan is probably the greatest trainer ever created. It was used until the early 1990’s by some nations to train pilots. In all, the T-6 trained several hundred thousand pilots in 34 different countries over a period of 25 years. The popularity of the Texan as a trainer earned it the nickname “Pilot Maker”. Anyone who has flown the aircraft will testify that it is much more difficult to master the handling techniques of the Texan than most front line WWII fighters. It is this type of trainer that breeds champion level combat aviators.

The Texan evolved from the North American NA-16. The NA-16 was designed to compete against other designers as a basic combat trainer. Soon after, the NA-16 became the designation BT-9. The aircraft went through a few more designations prior to becoming the BC-1 or basic combat trainer. After a few more technological advances the BC-1 evolved into the BC-2. The BC-2 is the airframe that formed the classic lines of the T-6/SNJ. Shortly after the BC-2, the Texan was born. The aircraft had several variations from the AT-6A through the T-6G and the Navy equivalents ranged from the SNJ-2 through the SNJ-7.

Even after the Second World War most allied forces had some form of the Texan in their inventory and although the aircraft was mainly used as an advanced trainer, some used it as a front line fighter. In the Korean War the aircraft was used for close air support by firing smoke rockets to mark targets for incoming fighter-bombers. These Texans were dubbed “Mosquitoes”.

The Texan is a delight to fly and many hobby aviators have discovered the aircraft as a wonderful personal aircraft. It is the gateway aircraft to all of the heavier tail wheel fighters and many of the fighter collectors keep a Texan in their stable just to keep their skills honed. With this kind of respect for the aircraft it is no wonder why the Texan is arguably the finest creation from North American Aviation.