<p>Almost certainly the most universally used military training aircraft of all time, the North American Texan was derived from the NA-16 prototype, built at the General Aviation Factory at Dundalk, Maryland to a US Army Air Corps specification for a basic trainer, which was the forerunner of more than 17,000 examples of a number of derivatives. Development of service trainers began with the BT-9 and BT-14, leading to the BC-1 and BC-2 with retractable undercarriage (described separately).
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<p>When the USAAC changed the role designations to advanced trainer, subsequent production carried AT designations, the series commencing with 94 AT-6 Texans which included the last nine of the BC-1A order.
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<p>Replacement of the center-section integral fuel tank by removable tanks and installation of the R-1340-49 engine produced the AT-6A, 517 of which were built at Inglewood before all production was transferred to Dallas, Texas where North American had already established a second line. Dallas-built aircraft to USAAF contracts included 1,330 AT-6As, 400 of the gunnery trainer AT-6B version, 2,970 AT-6Cs, 3,404 AT-6Ds and 956 AT-9Fs. The AT-6D arose from the need to alleviate an anticipated shortage of light alloy and approximately 1,250 lb (567 kg) per aircraft was saved by the use of other light metals, bonded plywood construction for the rear fuselage, and ply-covered tail surfaces. Although the AT-6E marked a return to all-metal construction, it featured also a 24-volt rather than a 12-volt electrical system, and the AT-6F had a redesigned rear fuselage and strengthened wings.
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<p>US Navy aircraft were designated SNJ. 931 of the US Army's 956 AT-6Fs were actually procured on behalf of the US Navy, which used them as the SNJ-6. AT-16 was the designation given to 2,610 aircraft built by Noorduyn Aviation Ltd of Montreal, for the RAF and RCAF, these corresponding to USAAF AT-6As. In 1948, the AT, BT and PT designations were superseded by a catch-all 'T' for all trainers, so the AT-6 became the T-6.
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<p>From 1949, 2,068 T-6s were remanufactured as T-6Gs for the US Air Force and US Navy with a revised cockpit layout, an improved canopy, relocated aerial masts, a square-tipped propeller, F-51-type landing-gear and flap-actuating levers, and steerable tailwheel. Some were converted to LT-6G standard for service as forward air control aircraft in Korea from July 1950, operating with the 6147th Tactical Air Control Squadron. The T-6H designation covered a few AT-6F aircraft modified to T-6G standard.
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<p>Canadian Car and Foundry, which had taken over Noorduyn in 1946, manufactured 270 similar-standard Harvard 4s for the RCAF and 285 T-6Js for USAF Mutual Aid programs.
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<hi style=hdr1>Specification</hi>
<list style=aflst>
<item><hi format=bold>Type:</hi> two-seat advanced trainer, or close air support aircraft
<item><hi format=bold>Powerplant (AT-6D):</hi> one 550-hp (410-kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 Wasp radial piston engine
<item><hi format=bold>Performance:</hi> maximum speed 205 mph (330 km/h) at 5,000 ft (1,525 m); cruising speed 170 mph (274 km/h) at 5,000 ft (1,525 m); service ceiling 21,500 ft (6,555 m); range 750 miles (1,207 km)
<item><hi format=bold>Weights:</hi> empty 4,158 lb (1,886 kg); maximum take-off 5,300 lb (2,404 kg)
<item><hi format=bold>Dimensions:</hi> span 42 ft 0 in (12.8 m); length 29 ft 6 in (8.99 m); height 11 ft 9 in (3.58 m); wing area 253.7 sq ft (23.57 m<su>2</su>)
<item><hi format=bold>Armament (AT-6):</hi> one fixed forward-firing and one rear cockpit-mounted 0.30-in (7.62-mm) machine gun, plus underwing pylons for machine gun pods or light bombs (COIN conversions)
