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AS AMERICA’S PRINCIPLE ADVANCED TRAINER, THE SNJ/AT-6 WAS A FIXTURE AT TRAINING SCHOOLS ACROSS THE NATION.
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With the advent of high-performance monoplane fighters in the 1930s, the gap between simple primary trainers and operational aircraft widened. What was needed was an advanced trainer that would allow student pilots to experience high performance while still being forgiving of novices’ mistakes. The North American AT–6/SNJ Texan was perfect for the job. It was purchased or built under contract by more than 40 different countries leading to the production of nearly 15,000 examples.
In 1935, newly named North American Aviation decided to submit a design to the Army’s basic trainer competition. The NA–16 easily won the competition and was accepted for production. Originally designated the BT–9 (NJ–1 in Navy service), several modifications to Army and Navy specifications ensued. Production was finally standardized between the two services and the AT–6A and SNJ–3 became nearly interchangeable. One of the only variations was that the SNJ–3C included a tail hook for carrier training.
With orders pouring in, North American opened a second plant in Dallas, Texas, in 1941. Most of the AT–6/SNJs were built at this plant and this contributed to the plane being named the Texan. Several export versions were built, including one for the British known as the Harvard. The Texan was also manufactured in Australia as the Wirraway.
Scheduled for retirement at the end of World War II, the lack of a suitable trainer replacement during the Korean War meant that the Texan was recalled for a second tour of duty. Because of its ease of operation and plentiful numbers, the Texan continues to be popular among aerobatic, racing, and war-bird enthusiasts, appearing at air shows all over the world.
SNJ–4s, like this aircraft, were the first of the naval Texans to carry a wing-mounted machine gun and provisions for underwing bomb racks. The bomb release button can be seen at the top of the control stick. The large panel to the lower left of the main instrument panel is the electrical control panel, with the parking brake handle just below on the right side. Preflight (right) and takeoff and landing (left) checklists have been affixed to the instrument panel. The right side of the cockpit contains the radio equipment.
THE NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM’S SNJ–4 IN STORAGE AT THE PAUL E. GARBER FACILITY.
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DETAIL OF THE UNRESTORED PILOT’S THROTTLE QUADRANT.
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COMMANDER DONALD F. SMITH TAKES AVIATION MACHINISTS’ MATE 1ST CLASS HAROLD DIETZ FOR A RIDE IN 1941.
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