The Pilot Maker
 The T-6 is known as the Texan, Harvard, Yale, J-Bird or Mosquito.
More importantly, it was recognized as the "Pilot Maker." The
T-6 trainer, designed by North American Aviation, was one of
the most significant aircraft designs of the Second World War.
North American Aviation and foreign companies that built the
T-6 under license built 17,096 Texans.
The T-6 was designed as a basic flight training aircraft. The
aircraft was used to prepare advanced student pilots for more
advanced fighter and bomber aircraft.
The T-6 filled many other important military roles. The T-6
was used as an advanced trainer, fighter, interceptor, fighter-bomber,
forward air controller, and counter insurgency.
The Texan was exported widely and served with at least 55 air
forces throughout the world. The T-6 Texan served in World War
II, the Korean Conflict, and Vietnam. The Texan saw combat service
throughout the world including, Algeria, the Congo, Biafra, the
Middle East, and in South and Latin America.
In the civilian world, the T-6 has been an air racer, air show
performer, mail carrier, and tour aircraft. Today, the T-6 Texan
is still one of the most popular warbirds.
North American SNJ-5B Bureau Number - 90599. N86116
August 16, 1944 - Accepted by the U.S. Navy
from North American Aviation.
Served in San Diego, Pensacola, and Memphis
May 22, 1957 - Transferred to Litchfield Park
Storage
October 7, 1959 - Purchased from the U.S. Navy by Rocky Warren
of Gunnison, Colorado
November 17, 1987 - Purchased by David and Margaretta Groark
of Mesquite, Texas
November 1987 to March 1989 - Underwent total
restoration by "Doc" Swayze
who restored 6 identical T-6/SNJ aircraft.
June 1998 - Purchased by the Olympic Flight
Museum
in Olympia Washington
September 24, 1999 - Purchased by Bruce and Carlene Mayes of
Honolulu, Hawaii
November 2001 - Transferred to Vintage Aviation L.L.C.
North American Aviation T-6 Specifications
Conventional design, two place tandem, low wing, all metal,
single engine, land plane with retractable landing gear. Wing
structure is conventional, with a two-spar system. Split flap
system is a hydraulically actuated. The fuselage is chrome- molybdenum
tube truss to the rear of the aft cockpit, with a wood or semi-monocoque
structure after that.
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