North American T-6 Texan variants

This article describes the different variants of the North American T-6 Texan.

BC-1

North American BC-1

Basic Combat trainer version initial production version with 600hp R-1340-47 engine, 177 built

BC-1A

Same as BC-1 but with semi-monocoque rear fuselage, squared-off wingtips and vertical tail surfaces, 93 built.

BC-1B

One BC-1A fitted with an AT-6A wing centre section.

BC-1I

BC-1s converted to instrument trainers, 30 modified

AT-6 Texan

AT-6 Texan

Same as BC-1A with minor changes, powered by a 600hp R-1340-47 and armed with forward-firing 0.3in machine gun, nine original started as BC-1As and 85 built.

AT-6A

Same as AT-6 but with 600hp R-1340-49 and removable wing centre section fuel tanks, 1847 built with 298 transferred to the United States Navy as the SNJ-3. Survivors re-designated T-6A in 1948.

AT-6B

Same as AT-6A but with 600hp R-1340-AN-1 and dorsal gun fitted as standard, 400 built.

AT-6C

Same as AT-6B but with material changes to low-alloy steel and plywood, 2970 built including transfers to the United Kingdom as the Harvard III.

AT-6D

Same as AT-6B but with a 24V DC electrical system, 4388 built including transfers to the United States Navy as the SNJ-5 and to the United Kingdom as the Harvard IIA. Redesignated T-6D in 1948.

XAT-6E

One AT-6D re-engined with a 575hp V-770-9 engine for trials.

AT-6F

Same as AT-6D but with a strengthened airframe and minor modifications, 956 built including transfers to the United States as the SNJ-6, Redesignated T-6F in 1948.

AT-16

AT-16

Noorduyn built AT-6As for lend-lease as Harvards, 1800 built

T-6 Texan

A rebuilt West Virginia ANG T-6G.

USAF LT-6Gs during the Korean War.

T-6A

AT-6As re-designated in 1948.

T-6C

AT-6Cs re-designated in 1948 including 68 re-builds with new serial numbers.

T-6D

AT-6D re-designated in 1948 including 35 re-builds with new serial numbers.

T-6F

AT-6F re-designated in 1948.

T-6G

Earlier model AT-6/T-6s re-built between 1949-1953. They have improved cockpit layout, increased fuel capacity, modified landing gear with steerable tailwheel, updated radios and a 600hp R-1340-AN-1 engine. 2068 modified.

LT-6G

T-6Gs converted for battlefield surveillance and forward air controller duties, 97 modified.

T-6H

Number of T-6Fs converted T-6G standard.

T-6J

Designated used for Canadian-built Harvard Mk 4s supplied to Belgian, France, Italy, Portugal and West Germany, 285 aircraft.

SNJ Texan

An early SNJ-1 at NAS Pensacola. Note the original form of the tail.

The SNJ-3C/-4C/-5C versions had an arrestor hook for carrier landings.

SNJ-1

United States Navy designation same as BC-1 with metal-covered rear-fuselage, 16 built.

SNJ-2

Same as SNJ-1 but with a R-1340-56 engine and detailed changes, 61 built.

SNJ-3

Same as AT-6A, 270 built and 296 transferred from USAAC.

SNJ-3C

SNJ-3 converted as deck landing trainers with arrester gear, twelve modified.

SNJ-4

Same as AT-6C, 1240 built.

SNJ-4C

SNJ-4s converted as deck landing trainers with arrester gear.

SNJ-5

AT-6Ds transferred from the USAAC, 1573 aircraft.

SNJ-5C

SNJ-5s converted as deck landing trainers with arrester gear.

SNJ-6

AT-6Fs transferred from the USAAF, 411 aircraft.

SNJ-7

Early models modified to T-6G standards in 1952.

SNJ-7B

An armed variant of the SNJ-7.

SNJ-8

Order for 240 cancelled.

Harvard

Harvard IIA

Harvard I

Similar to BC-1 but without rear gun and with a 600hp R-1340-S3H1 engine, 400 aircraft.

Harvard II

Similar to BC-1A, 526 built, again without provision for rear gunner.

Harvard IIA (RAF & Commonwealth)

AT-6C, many with wooden rear fuselages when first delivered.

Harvard IIA (RCAF)

'Armed' Harvard II - Any RCAF Harvard II & IIB fitted with guns (in the wing), rockets or bombs.

Harvard IIB

Noorduyn built Mk.II's, some to US orders as AT-16's for lend-lease. Transfers back from the USAAF (1800) and 757 built.

Harvard T.T. IIB

Target Tug - 42 aircraft built for the RAF by Noorduyn. Number probably included in II totals.

Harvard IIF

Bombing/gunnery trainer - One-off modified from Mk.II with bomb aimers blister and AT-6 cockpit.

Harvard III

AT-6D, 537 aircraft for RAF.

Harvard 4

Development of Harvard II paralleling the T-6G, and built by Canadian Car & Foundry, 270 for the RCAF and 285 for USAF. Some publications refer to these as T-6J however the aircraft record cards do not use this designation.

A-27

North American A-27

Tandem two-seat attack version of the AT-6 with a 785hp R-1820-75 engine and five 0.3in machine guns (two in nose, one on each wing and one dorsal). Designation used for ten aircraft for Thailand impressed into United States Army Air Corps use.

North American company designation

NA-16

Prototype for entire family of aircraft. Had open cockpits, but was given a greenhouse canopy for USAAC trials. One built (NX-2080). Powered by Wright R-975-E3

NA-18

NA-16 NX-2080 modified to USAAC requirements for competition against Seversky BT-8 (SEV-3XAR) and Curtiss-Wright CW-19R. Sold to Argentina in 1937.

NA-19

BT-9 slightly modified from NA-18, with 400hp Wright R-975-7 Whirlwind and new canopy. Dangerous stall characteristics resulted in a variety of fixes, none of which were wholly successful. 42 built.

NA-19A

BT-9A Armed version of BT-9 fitted with one cowl gun and one rear flexible gun, and a suitably modified canopy. 40 built.

NA-20

Demonstrator built for China and became NA-16-2H for Honduras. Unknown Whirlwind engine fitted. 1 built (NC-16025).

NA-22

BT-9 re-engined with 225hp Wright R-760ET (J-6-7) for primary trainer competition. Dangerously underpowered and no USAAC designation assigned. 1 built.

NA-23

BT-9B Minor changes from BT-9, unarmed. 117 built. 1 modified as sole BT-9D which was modified as a prototype for BT-14 with new outer wing panels and other alterations.

NA-26

Basic Combat Demonstrator aircraft (no relation to BC-1), first retractable gear variant. Sold to RCAF in 1940 and extensively modifiedwith Yake and Harvard components. 1 built. (NX-18990)

NA-27

NA-16-2H similar to NA-26 but armed and with fixed gear, used as European demonstrator. Sold to Fokker and impressed by Royal Netherlands Army Air Force. 1 built.

NA-28

NJ-1 USN specification advanced trainer powered with 550hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340-6. Some re-engined with later versions of R-1340. 40 built.

NA-29

BT-9C with Wright R-975-7, similar to the BT-9A with minor changes. 67 built including Y1BT-10. First aircraft of batch completed as Y1BT-10 with a 600hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340-41.

NA-30

Intended production version of Y1BT-10 as BT-10 cancelled.

NA-31

NA-16-4M as per BT-9C but with 455hp Wright R-975-E3 engine for Sweden as a pattern for licence production. NAA built 1, ASJA built 53 Sk 14 and 23 Sk 14A powered with the 525hp Piaggio P VIIc RC35 while SAAB built 60 additional Sk 14. Trialled nosewheel undercarriage for Saab 21.

NA-32

NA-16-1A Fixed gear pattern aircraft for Australian Government, similar to NJ-1 or Y1BT-10. 1 built. Licence purchased but not followed up.

NA-33

NA-16-2K Retractable gear pattern aircraft for Australian Government. 1 built at North American. 755 built by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation as the Wirraway and powered by a 600hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340-S1H1G.

NA-34

NA-16-4P (Variant of BT-9) for Argentina powered by a 420hp Wright R-975-E3 Whirlwind and fitted with two cowl guns, a flexible rear gun and a radio mast. 29 built. First major export order for NAA (as opposed to export licence).

NA-36

BC-1 - powered by a 500-550hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340-47 featured a retractable undercarriage in wider center section and was the first aircraft with larger square bottom rudder. Identifiable by large DF loop between undercarriage legs. 177 built in two batches.

NA-37

NA-16-4R for Japan was unarmed, had a fixed landing gear and was powered with a 450hp Pratt & Whitney R-985-9CG with three bladed prop. Evaluated as KXA1 by the Imperial Japanese Navy.

NA-38

NA-16-4M for Sweden, same as NA-31. 1 built.

NA-41

NA-16-4 Similar to BT-9C, built for China as combat aircraft with two fixed forward guns and one flexible rear gun. 35 built.

NA-42

NA-16-2A for Honduras

NA-43

NA-16-1G for Brazil

NA-44

Prototype two-seat export combat aircraft based on BC-1A; one built, sold to the RCAF. Used as a base hack to 1945, stolen while being surplused.

NA-45

NA-16-1GV for Venezuela

NA-46

NA-16-4 for Brazil

NA-47

NA-16-4RW for Japan

NA-48

NA-16-3C for China

NA-49

NA-16-1E Harvard I for RAF

NA-50

Single seat fighter for Peru

NA-52

SNJ-1 for USN

NA-54

BC-2 modified from NA-36 with some improvements from NA-44

NA-55

BC-1A for USAAC

NA-56

NA-16-4 for China

NA-57

Improved NA-23 for France, many captured by Germany.

NA-58

BT-14 for USAAC

NA-59

The AT-6

NA-61

NA-16-1E Harvard I for RCAF

NA-64

For France, many captured by Germany, 119 of 230 built diverted to RCAF as Yale I.

NA-65

SNJ-2 for USN

NA-66

Harvard II for RAF, as per NA-59 but no provision for rear gunner

NA-68

NA-50A Single seat fighter for Siam/(now Thailand), diverted with start of Pacific war to USAAF as P-64.

NA-69

Attack version for Siam/(now Thailand), not delivered and became the A-27 in USAAF service.

NA-71

NA-16-3 for Venezuela

NA-72

BC-1A Attack version for Brazil, 30 built.

NA-74

Attack version for Chile.

NA-75

Harvard II for RCAF

NA-76

Harvard II for RAF

NA-77

AT-6A for USAAC and SNJ-3 for USN, same as NA-66

NA-78

AT-6A for USAAC and SNJ-3 for USN - built in Texas

NA-79

SNJ-2 for USN

NA-81

Harvard II for RAF, same as previous.

NA-84

AT-6B for USAAC

NA-85

SNJ-3 for USN, renumbers and NA-78

NA-88

Mixed bag order of AT-6C, AT-6D, SNJ-4, SNJ-5 (last 800 as NA.121)

NA-119

AT-6D

NA-121

The last 800 AT-6Ds and start of the AT-6F with clear fixed rear canopy section

NA-128

Canceled orders for AT-6D to have been built in Texas.

NA-168

T-6G/LT-6G's for USAF and Air National Guard re-manufactured and converted from earlier versions .

NA-182

as per 168

NA-186

Design Data for Canadian Car and Foundry possibly to build Harvard IV or T-6G

NA-188

as per 168

NA-195

as per 168

NA-197

as per 168

NA-198

Cancelled Contract for SNJ-8

References

• Dan Hagedorn, North American NA-16/AT-6/SNJ - WarbirdTech Series Volume 11, Specialty Press, USA, 1997, ISBN 0-933424-76-0
• David C. Fletcher & Doug MacPhail, Harvard! The North American Trainers in Canada, DCF Flying Books, San Josef, BC, Canada, ISBN 0-9693825-0-2
• John M. Andrade, U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909, Midland Counties Publications, England, 1979, ISBN 0-904597-22-9
• "North American AT-6 Texan", USWarplanes.net. Accessed 3 May 2010.