Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>T-6>HA1512
SNJ-3 Trainer Quantico, 1942 "First Marine Aircraft Wing"
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
The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing was activated at Marine Corps Base Quantico Virginia on
July 7, 1941 where they used the SNJ-2s for training aircraft. That same year the first of
its SNJ-3s started to arrive and by the end of the year they had 15. Two SNJ-3s as well
as two SNJ-2s were assigned to Base Air Detachment One (BAD-1) at Marine Corps Air
Station (MCAS) Quantico, Virginia. Meanwhile the other 13 SNJ-3s were assigned to
Marine Fighting Squadron One Hundred Eleven (VMF-111) and VMF-121 at MCAS
Quantico; VMF-211 at MCAS Ewa, Territory of Hawaii; and VMF-221 and Marine
Observation Squadron Two Hundred Fifty One (VMO-251) at NAS San Diego, California.
These aircraft were used during WWII as squadron and station utility aircraft and allowed
personnel to maintain their proficiency.
Specifications :
| Manufacturer: | North American Aviation |
| Purpose: | Originally an 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 |