Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>T-6>HA1519
SNJ-5 "91074" Beetle Bomb, 1948
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
In 1948 the "Blue Angels" were flying four F8F Bearcats and one SNJ dubbed "Beetle Bomb" that was meant to represent a Japanese Zero. That year the SNJ/Zero was painted bright yellow with USN markings. Three F8Fs would perform maneuvers until the SNJ/Zero attacked the three Bearcats to begin a dogfight. At this point the fourth F8F would join and they would pursue the SNJ/Zero. The SNJ/Zero would lose the fight and hurtle towards the ground in smoke and a dummy thrown out to represent the pilot bailing out.
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 |