Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>T-6>HA1505
T-6G Texan 114-440, Escadrille EALA 13/72, Armee de l'Air Ain Oussera (Algeria), 1961
General Background
The T-6 trainer was one of the most important aircrafts of all time. It was used by 34 countries with a total of 17,096 built. An estimation of over 100,000 U.S. military pilots flew these aircraft.
It was in late 1930's North American Aviation began to deliver the T-6 Texan for the USAAF and the SNJ version for the USN. The Texan got its name because of production in the Dallas, Texas plant of North America. It was known as the "Harvard" for those built in Canada.
Though basically built as a trainer aircraft, the T-6 was used in multiple roles include interceptor, fighter bomber and counter-insurgency (COIN) aircraft during the conflicts of WWII, the Korea War and the Vietnam War. It was also extensively used by the civilians for different purposes.Despite all these, T-6 was still best known as a universal trainer - the Pilot Maker.
It was in late 1930's North American Aviation began to deliver the T-6 Texan for the USAAF and the SNJ version for the USN. The Texan got its name because of production in the Dallas, Texas plant of North America. It was known as the "Harvard" for those built in Canada.
Though basically built as a trainer aircraft, the T-6 was used in multiple roles include interceptor, fighter bomber and counter-insurgency (COIN) aircraft during the conflicts of WWII, the Korea War and the Vietnam War. It was also extensively used by the civilians for different purposes.Despite all these, T-6 was still best known as a universal trainer - the Pilot Maker.
The Aircraft
During the Algerian War of Independence (from 1954 to 1962) against France, the French Government acquired some 700 North American T-6Gs with 300 modified planes shipped to the Escadrilles d'Aviation Legere d'Appui (EALA a section of the French Air Force) in Algeria. These T-6Gs could carry four 7.5 MAC. AA 52 machine guns in nacelles, two 7.5mm rocket pods, a 100-litre napalm tank, four 10kg bombs or six T.10 rockets.
Specifications :
| Manufacturer: | North American Aviation |
| Purpose: | Advanced Trainer |
| Powerplant: | 600 HP Pratt and Whitney R-1340-AN-1 |
| Length: | 29 ft. 6 in. |
| Wing Span: | 42 ft. |
| Height: | 11 ft. 9 in. |
| Maximum Speed: | 205 MPH |
| Cruising Speed: | 170 MPH |
| Service Ceiling: | 21, 500 ft. |
| Range: | 750 mi. |
| Weight: | Empty 4,158 lb. / Maximum 5,300 lb. |
| Average Fuel Consumption: | 30 GPH |
| Armament: | Allowance made for 1 x 0.30 in. (7.62 mm) Machine Gun |