View source for North American T-6 Texan

{{Short description|American single-engined advanced trainer aircraft}}
{{About|the World War II-era trainer|the modern turboprop trainer|Beechcraft T-6 Texan II}}{{Redirect|BC-1A|the highway in British Columbia, Canada|British Columbia Highway 1A}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name =T-6 Texan/SNJ/Harvard
 |image = File:AT-6C Texans in flight 1943.jpg
 |caption =USAAF AT-6Cs near [[Luke Air Force Base|Luke Field]], 1943
 |type =Trainer aircraft
 |national_origin = United States
 |manufacturer =[[North American Aviation]]
 |first_flight =1 April 1935
 |introduction =
 |retired = 1995 ([[South African Air Force]])
 |primary_user = [[United States Army Air Forces]] 
 |more_users = {{ubli|[[United States Navy]]|[[Royal Air Force]]|[[Royal Canadian Air Force]]}}
 |produced =
 |number_built = 15,495
 |developed_from = [[North American NA-16]]
 |variants = [[North American A-27]]<br>[[Bacon Super T-6]]
 |developed_into =
}}

The '''North American Aviation T-6 Texan''' is an American single-engined advanced [[trainer aircraft]], which was used to train pilots of the [[United States Army Air Forces]] (USAAF), [[United States Air Force]] (USAF), [[United States Navy]], [[Royal Air Force]], [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] and other [[air force]]s of the [[Commonwealth of Nations|British Commonwealth]] during [[World War II]] and into the 1970s. 

Designed by [[North American Aviation]], the T-6 is known by a variety of designations depending on the model and operating air force. The [[United States Army Air Corps]] (USAAC) and USAAF designated it as the '''AT-6''', the [[United States Navy]] the '''SNJ''', and [[British Commonwealth Air Training Plan|British Commonwealth air forces]] the '''Harvard''', the name by which it is best known outside the US. Starting in 1948, the new [[United States Air Force]] (USAF) designated it the '''T-6''', with the USN following in 1962. 

The T-6 Texan remains a popular [[warbird]] used for [[airshow]] demonstrations and static displays. It has also been used many times to simulate various historical aircraft, including the Japanese [[Mitsubishi A6M Zero]]. A total of 15,495 T-6s of all variants have been built.

==Development==
[[File:Two WAVES washing a North American SNJ at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, circa 1944 (80-G-K-15001).jpg|thumb|[[WAVES]] washing an SNJ at [[NAS Jacksonville]], Florida, USA]]
[[File:South Africa-Friends of the Airforce-T6-Texan(Hardward)01.jpg|thumb|[[South African Air Force]] Harvard under restoration exposing internal structure]]
[[File:Harvard cockpits-001.jpg|thumb|Left – front cockpit, right – rear cockpit]]
[[File:North American T-6 Texan - Nella (07).jpg|right|thumb|"Nella", owned by the [[Commemorative Air Force]], preparing for take off]]
[[File:Noorduyn AT-16 Harvard IIB, UK - Air Force AN1449396.jpg|thumb|A Noorduyn AT-16 Harvard IIB]]
The Texan's ancestry goes back to the [[North American NA-16]] prototype which was first flown on 1 April 1935. In 1935, NAA submitted this design for the [[U.S. Army Air Corps]] Basic Trainer Competition. NAA also targeted the export market.{{sfn|Hagedorn|2009|p={{pn|date=November 2024}}}}

Modified as the NA-26, it was submitted as an entry for a USAAC "Basic Combat Trainer" aircraft competition in March 1937. Based on the NA-18, but with a foot longer wingspan, it was the first of the NA-16 series with retractable gear. It was similar to the [[North American BT-9|BT-9]], but with a larger engine, the {{cvt|550|hp}} [[Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp]], and could accommodate two {{cvt|.30|in|2}} guns.

With minor alterations, 177 unarmed NA-36s would enter service as the BC-1 with a R-1340-47 engine from 9 June 1937. Roughly 30 were modified as BC-1-I instrument trainers. The BC-1A (NA-55-1) followed as an armed version, primarily for Air Corps Reserve and National Guard units, and the 83 built could be equipped with a {{cvt|.30|in|2}} machine gun on the nose, and a flexible gun in the rear cockpit.

The US Navy received 40 NA-28 aircraft based on the BT-9, which it designated the NJ-1, as well as 16 NA-52s, designated the SNJ-1, 36 NA-65 as SNJ-2s, and 25 NA-79 also as SNJ-2s.{{sfn|Hagedorn|2009|pp=33–44, 214}}

In March 1937, the [[Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation]] of Australia purchased an NA-32 (NA-16-1A, with fixed undercarriage) and an NA-33 (NA-16-2K with retractible undercarriage) along with a manufacturing license. The first [[CAC Wirraway]], based on the NA-33, flew on 27 March 1939, of which 755 were built.{{sfn|Hagedorn|2009|pp=52–53}}

In August 1937, [[Mitsubishi Jukogyo]] K.K. purchased a single [[North American NA-16|NA-16]], NA-16-4R (NA-37), powered by the {{cvt|450|hp}} Pratt & Whitney R-985-9CG, including manufacturing rights. A second N-16, NA-16-4RW (NA-47), powered by a smaller Wright engine, was ordered in December 1937. After being evaluated by the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]], [[Kyushu Hikoki|Kyusu and K.K. Watanabe Tekkosho]] chose to ignore the NAA design almost entirely, and built 176 of the somewhat similar [[Kyushu K10W|K10W1]] from 1941 to 1942 which the Allies gave the code name ''Oak''.{{sfn|Hagedorn|1997|pp=34-35}} After [[WWII]], the [[Japanese Air Self Defense Force]] operated 195 Texans (9 T-6Ds, 11 T-6Fs, and 175 T-6Gs) and the [[Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force]] operated 62 (10 SNJ-4s, 41 SNJ-5s, and 11 SNJ-6s){{sfn|Hagedorn|2009|pp=56–57, 214}}

According to Dan Hagedorn, "the BC-1A series may be regarded as the true beginning of the modern AT-6 series". In December 1938, the British Commonwealth started receiving the first of 400 Harvard Mark Is (NA-49), for use in the [[Central Flying School]]. They were powered by the {{cvt|600|hp}} Pratt & Whitney R-1340-S3H1 Wasp. In May 1939, the [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] (RCAF) ordered 30 Harvard Mark Is (NA-61). Then in November 1939, the [[British Purchasing Commission]] ordered the first of eventually 1275 Harvard Mark IIs (NA-66, NA-75, NA-76, and NA-81) for the [[Royal Air Force]] and RCAF.{{sfn|Hagedorn|2009|pp=46, 63–66, 69, 77–79, 92, 214}}

On 23 April 1939, NAA received a contract for 251 BT-14s and 94 AT-6s. The BT-14 (NA-58) was a fixed gear aircraft with a metal skinned fuselage 14 inches longer than the BT-9. In 1941, 27 BT-14s were refitted with the {{cvt|400|hp}} R-985-11, and designated as BT-14A-NAs. In June 1939, NAA received an order for 94 AT-6-NAs (NA-59), powered by the wright R-1340-47 and able to mount two {{cvt|.30|in|2}} machines guns.{{sfn|Hagedorn|2009|pp=46–47, 73–74, 214}}

The USAAC AT-6A, and the U.S. Navy SNJ-3, were based on the NA-77 and NA-78 designs. [[Pratt & Whitney R-1340|Pratt & Whitney R-1340-49]] Wasp radial engine powered the USAAC aircraft, while R-1340-38s powered the Navy aircraft. The USAAC received 1847 AT-6As, and the Navy received 270 SNJ-3s.{{sfn|Hagedorn|2009|pp=80–91, 214}}

The AT-6B (NA-84) was built for armament training, and could mount a {{cvt|.30|in|2}} [[machine gun]] on the right nose cowl, right wing, and in the rear cockpit, and could carry a light bomb rack. The aircraft was powered by the {{cvt|600|hp}} R-1340-AN-1 engine. The USAAC received 400.{{sfn|Hagedorn|2009|pp=93–97, 214}}

The NA-88 design was used to build 2970 AT-6Cs (747 of which went to the British Commonwealth as Harvard IIas), 2401 SNJ-4s, 2604 AT-6Ds (537 of which went to the British Commonwealth as Harvard IIIs), and 1357 SNJ-5s. The first AT-6C aircraft was delivered on 12 February 1942. The 12-volt electrical system was changed to a 24-volt system in the AT-6D, for standardization amongst the service. The AT-6D, which was also armament capable, and early versions included a wing gun camera, and a high-pressure [[oxygen system]]. The AT-6D used two toggle starter switches, rather than the foot pedal starter, and the first AT-6D was delivered on 22 July 1943. The Navy received an additional 630 AT-6Ds direct from the USAAF, redesignating them SNJ-5s, for a total of 1987. Similarly, the NA-121 design was used to build the final wartime Texans, and included 800 AT-6Ds (of which 211 went to the Navy as SNJ-5s), and 956 AT-6Fs (of which 411 went to the Navy as SNJ-6s). They were capable of carrying a {{cvt|20|usgal}} centerline [[drop tank]].{{sfn|Hagedorn|2009|pp=98–128, 214}}

From 1942, Canada's [[Noorduyn]] built 2557 R-1340-AN-1-powered Harvard IIs under license, paid for by USAAF [[Lend-Lease]] funds as the AT-16, but designated as the Harvard II.B. After WWII, many remained in service with the RCAF.{{sfn|Hagedorn|2009|pp=122–124}}

The NA-168 series consisted of remanufactured AT-6s and SNJs for the [[USAF]], starting in 1949. The [[Air Training Command]] received 641 aircraft, designated T-6G-NT, of which 416 eventually were sent to U.S. [[Military Assistance Program]] countries. [[U.S. National Guard]] units received an additional 50 aircraft, of which 28 eventually were sent to France. An additional 59 aircraft were Liaison/Trainer aircraft, designated LT-6G-NA, for the [[Korean War]]. These aircraft could be deployed with 2 detachable {{cvt|.30|in|2}} machine gun pods, and 4 [[HVAR]]s, or 4 {{cvt|100|lb}} bombs, plus a {{cvt|55|usgal}} auxiliary drop tank. Alternatively, they could carry the gun pods and 12 {{cvt|2.25|in}} SCA markings rockets, or 6 {{cvt|100|lb}} bombs. The T-6G-NAs had a {{cvt|140|usgal}} fuel capacity, while previous models had a {{cvt|110|usgal}} capacity. The rear cockpit also had the same instruments as the front cockpit. Then, in 1951, the USAF placed an order for 824 T-6Gs, designated T-6G-1-NH, for the Air Training Command.{{sfn|Hagedorn|2009|pp=139–153, 214}}

The [[Canada Car and Foundry]] built 285 Harvard 4s, designated NA-186 under the [[Mutual Defense Assistance Act|Mutual Defense Assistance Program]] (MDAP) and an additional 270 directly for the RCAF.{{sfn|Hagedorn|2009|pp=153-154}}

In April 1951, the USAF ordered an additional 107 T-6Gs for the MDAP, designated NA-188. They placed an order for 11 training aircraft in March 1952, designated NA-195, and then a final batch of 110 aircraft in June for MDAP, designated NA-197.{{sfn|Hagedorn|2009|pp=155–159, 214}}

==Operational history==
[[File:North American T-6 Harvard 4M (KF584), Radom Air Show, 20230826 1032 8443.jpg|thumb|A T-6 Harvard at an air show in 2023]]
The aircraft was mainly used for training, but in many cases it was also repurposed into combat roles. The aircraft served in a great many air forces around the world in the mid to late 20th century. After serving in air forces, it also went on to be displayed at air shows and museums as a [[warbird]].

===Combat use===
The British used Harvards during World War II in North Africa, but not in a combat role. They were used extensively for preparing pilots in theatre for flying US aircraft types, whose handling and controls differed from British aircraft.

No. 74 Operational Training Unit (OTU) was formed at [[RAF Aqir]] in Palestine from 'C' Flight of 71 OTU who made various moves to Rayak in July 1942, Muqeibila in November 1942, and back to Aqir in February 1943. The RAF later handed over control to [[No. 203 Group RAF]] in May 1943. The unit disbanded in July 1945. Harvard AJ841 "Wacky Wabbit" saw service with [[No. 154 Squadron RAF]]. Originally 154 Squadron were based just at [[RAF Fowlmere]] before they were deployed to the Middle East in 1942. Record cards for 154 Squadron show the squadron Harvard being flown by Flying Officer DC Dunn from Minnigh (Syria) to Ramat David (Palestine) on 12 February 1944.

[[File:North American T-6G Texan (EC-DUN).jpg|thumb|T-6 Texan of the [[Spanish Air Force]]]]
Peru used its seven T-6 fighter bombers in the [[Ecuadorian-Peruvian War]] equipped with two {{cvt|7.65|mm|2}} guns, while carrying up to four {{cvt|116|lb}} bombs.{{sfn|Hagedorn|2009|pp=176–178}} Twenty AT-6s were employed by the 1st and 2nd fighter squadrons of the [[Syrian Air Force]] in the [[1948 Arab-Israeli War]], providing ground support for Syrian troops, and launching airstrikes against Israeli airfields, ships, and columns, losing one aircraft to antiaircraft fire. They also engaged in air-to-air combat on a number of occasions, with a rear gunner shooting down an Israeli [[Avia S-199]] fighter.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nicolle|first=David|title=Syria's Fighting Texans |website=ACIG.org |url=http://www.acig.info/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=208&Itemid=47 |access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref>

The [[Israeli Air Force]] (IAF) bought 17 Harvards, and operated nine of them in the final stages of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, against the Egyptian ground forces, with no losses. In the [[Sinai Campaign]], IAF Harvards attacked Egyptian ground forces in [[Sinai Peninsula]] with two losses.

[[File:FAC T-6 with phosphor rockets in Korea.jpg|thumb|A USAF T-6 [[forward air control]] aircraft in [[Korean War|Korea]]]]
[[File:LT-6Gs 6147th TCG over Korea c1952.jpg|thumb|An LT-6G in flight over Korea in 1952]]
The [[Royal Hellenic Air Force]] employed three squadrons of British- and American-supplied T-6D and G Texans for close air support, observation, and artillery spotting duties during the [[Greek Civil War]], providing extensive support to the Greek army during the Battle of Gramos. Communist guerillas called these aircraft {{langx|el|Ο Γαλατάς|O Galatas|translation=The Milkman|label=none}}, because they saw them flying very early in the morning. After the "Milkmen", the guerillas waited for the armed [[Spitfires]] and [[Curtiss SB2C Helldiver|Helldiver]]s.

During the [[Korean War]] and, to a lesser extent, the [[Vietnam War]], T-6s were pressed into service as [[forward air control]] aircraft. These aircraft were designated T-6 [[6147th Tactical Control Group|"Mosquitos"]].<ref name=NMUSAF>{{cite web |url=https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196107/north-american-t-6d-mosquito/ |title=North American T-6D 'Mosquito' |work=National Museum of the United States Air Force™ |publisher=National Museum of the US Air Force|access-date=4 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lyonairmuseum.org/exhibit/north-american-A6-snj6 |access-date=18 September 2019|title=North American AT-6/SNJ-6 |website=Lyon Air Museum|archive-date=22 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922211715/http://lyonairmuseum.org/exhibit/north-american-A6-snj6}}</ref>{{sfn|Hagedorn|2009|pp=148–151}}

[[No. 1340 Flight RAF]] used the Harvard in Kenya against the [[Mau Mau rebellion|Mau Mau]] in the 1950s, where they operated with {{cvt|20|lb}} bombs and machine guns against the rebels. Some operations took place at altitudes around {{cvt|20000|ft}} [[above mean sea level]]. A Harvard was the longest-serving RAF aircraft, with an example, taken on strength in 1945, still serving in the 1990s (as a chase plane for helicopter test flights—a role for which the [[Shorts Tucano]]'s higher stall speed was ill-suited).

The T-6G was also used in a light attack or [[counterinsurgency]] role by France during the [[Algerian War]] in special {{lang|fr|italic=no|Escadrilles d'Aviation Légère d'Appui}} (EALA), armed with machine guns, bombs and rockets. At its peak, 38 EALAs were active. The largest unit was the {{lang|fr|italic=no|Groupe d'Aviation Légère d'Appui}} 72, which consisted of up to 21 EALAs.

From 1961 to 1975, [[Portugal]] used more than a hundred T-6Gs, also in the counterinsurgency role, during the [[Portuguese Colonial War]]. During this war, almost all the [[Portuguese Air Force]] bases and air fields in [[Portuguese Angola|Angola]], [[Portuguese Mozambique|Mozambique]], and [[Portuguese Guinea]] had a detachment of T-6Gs.

On 16 June 1955, rebel Argentine Navy SNJ-4s [[Bombing of Plaza de Mayo|bombed Plaza de Mayo]] in Buenos Aires, Argentina; one was shot down by a loyalist [[Gloster Meteor]]. Navy SNJ-4s were later used by the ''colorado'' rebels in the [[1963 Argentine Navy Revolt]], launching attacks on the 8th Tank Regiment columns on 2 and 3 April, knocking out several [[M4 Sherman]] tanks, and losing one SNJ to anti-aircraft fire.<ref>{{cite web|last=Cooper|first=Tom|title=Argentina, 1955–1965|url=http://www.acig.info/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=80&Itemid=47|publisher=ACIG.org|access-date=23 January 2013}}</ref>

In 1957–58, the [[Spanish Air Force]] used T-6s as [[counterinsurgency]] aircraft in the [[Ifni War]], armed with machine guns, iron bombs, and rockets, achieving an excellent reputation due to its reliability, safety record, and resistance to damage.

The [[Pakistan Air Force]] used T-6Gs in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] as a night ground-support aircraft, hitting soft transport vehicles of the Indian army. In the early hours of 5 December, during a convoy interdiction mission in the same area, Squadron Leader Israr Quresh's T-6G Harvard was hit by Indian antiaircraft ground fire and a shell fractured the pilot's right arm. Profusely bleeding, the pilot flew the aircraft back with his left hand and landed safely. The World War II-vintage propellered trainers were pressed into service and performed satisfactorily in the assigned role of convoy escorts at night.

The [[South African Air Force]] received their first T-6s in October 1942 to be used by the Joint Air Training Scheme. By July 1944, 633 Harvard Mk IIA T-6s and IIIs had been shipped to [[South Africa]] with another 555 (379 MkIIAs and 176 Mk IIIs) to arrive by October 1945. Another 65 (AT-6Ds and 30 T-6Gs) were ordered between 1952 and 1956.<ref>{{Cite web|website=South African Air Force|url=https://www.saairforce.co.za/the-airforce/aircraft/38/harvard-1-iia-iii-na-88|access-date=25 June 2020|title=Harvard 1, IIA, III (NA-88)}} Unofficial site, not affiliated with the South African Air Force.</ref> The aircraft also saw some action during the South African Border war. The T-6 remained in service until 1995 as a basic trainer, mainly as a result of the [[United Nations]] arms embargo against [[South Africa]]'s [[apartheid]] policies. They were replaced by [[Pilatus PC-7]] MkII turboprop trainers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.af.mil.za/about_us/history.html#7|title=The History of the SAAF |publisher=South African Air Force|access-date=12 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505065106/http://www.af.mil.za/about_us/history.html#7|archive-date=5 May 2012}}</ref>

===Research testbed===
The Harvard 4 has been used in Canada as a testbed aircraft for evaluating [[Instrument meteorological conditions|cockpit attitude displays]]. Its aerobatic capability permits the instructor pilot to maneuver the aircraft into unusual attitudes, then turn the craft over to an evaluator pilot in the "blind" rear cockpit to recover, based on one of several digitally generated attitude displays.<ref name=NRC>{{cite web |url=https://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/obj/iar-ira/doc/harvard_eng.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611151244/https://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/obj/iar-ira/doc/harvard_eng.pdf|archive-date=2011-06-11 |title=Harvard Research Aircraft |publisher=Institute for Aerospace Research, National Research Council Canada}}</ref>

==Variants==
{{Main|North American T-6 Texan variants}}

==Operators==
[[File:North American SNJ-4 TEXAN - Museo de la Aviación Naval - Villa Espora, Bahía Blanca, Argentina - panoramio.jpg|thumb|ex-Argentine Navy SNJ-4, Naval Aviation Museum, 2010]]
[[File:Aeronave T6 da Força Aérea Brasileira – FAB.tif|thumb|Brazilian Air Force T-6. [[Smoke Squadron]], 1976. [[National Archives of Brazil]]]]

{{ARG}}
* [[Argentine Army Aviation]] (SNJ-4)
* [[Argentine Naval Aviation]] (SNJ-4 and 30 SNJ-5Cs for carrier operations)
{{AUT}}
* [[Austrian Air Force]]
[[File:North American T-6G Texan 5.JPG|thumb|Belgian Air Force T-6G]]
{{BEL}}
* [[Belgian Air Component|Belgian Air Force]]
{{flag|Biafra}}
* [[Biafran armed forces#Air wing|Biafran Air Force]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Jowett|first=Philip|title=Modern African Wars (5): The Nigerian-Biafran War 1967–70|date=2016|publisher=[[Osprey Publishing|Osprey]]|location=Oxford|isbn=978-1472816092|page=19}}</ref>
{{BOL}}
* [[Military of Bolivia|Bolivian Air Force]]
* [[Military of Bolivia|Naval Aviation]]
{{BRA}}
* [[Brazilian Air Force]]
{{CAM}}
* [[Khmer Air Force|Royal Khmer Aviation]] (AVRK)
{{flag|Canada|1921}}
* [[Royal Canadian Air Force]]
* [[Royal Canadian Navy]]
* [[National Research Council (Canada)|National Research Council]] (still in use)
[[File:Texan AT-6.jpg|thumb|[[Colombian Air Force]] AT-6 Texan during [[World War II]]]]
{{ROC-TW}}
* [[Republic of China Air Force]]
{{CHI}}
* [[Chilean Air Force]]
{{COL}}
* [[Colombian Air Force]]
{{COG}}
* [[Congolese Air Force]]
{{CUB}}
* [[Military of Cuba|Cuban Air and Air Defense Force]]
{{DNK}}
[[File:North American Harvard.jpg|thumb|Danish Harvard II]]
* [[Royal Danish Air Force]]
{{DOM}}
* [[Military of the Dominican Republic|Dominican Air Force]]
{{ESA}}
* [[Military of El Salvador|Air Force of El Salvador]]
{{FRA}}
* [[French Air Force]]{{sfn|Cooper|Grandolini|2018|p=23}}
{{GAB}}
* [[Military of Gabon|Gabon Air Force]]
[[File:NA T6 Luftwaffe.JPG|thumb|Restored T-6D in Luftwaffe markings]]
{{GER}}
* [[German Air Force]] ({{lang|de|italic=unset|[[Bundeswehr]] ''Luftwaffe''}})
{{flag|Greece|old}}
* [[Hellenic Air Force]]
{{flag|Haiti}}
*[[Haitian Air Corps]]
{{flag|Hong Kong|1959}}
* [[Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force]]
{{HON}}
* [[Honduran Air Force]]
{{IND}}
* [[Royal Indian Air Force]]
* [[Indian Air Force]]
{{IDN}}
* [[Indonesian Air Force]] – bought 25 from the United States
{{flag|Iran|1964}}
* [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force|Iranian Air Force]]
{{flag|Iraq|1924}}
* [[Iraqi Air Force]] – bought 15 aircraft in the early 1950s; 6 of them were donated to Lebanon in 1956<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sipos |first1=Milos |last2=Cooper |first2=Tom |title=Wings of Iraq |volume=1: The Iraqi Air Force, 1931–1970 |date=2020 |publisher=Helion & Company |location=Warwick, UK |isbn=978-1-913118-74-7 |page=III}}</ref>
{{ISR}}
* [[Israeli Air Force]]
{{ITA}}
* [[Italian Air Force]] operated 238 aircraft from 1949 until 1979<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/italy/af/ital-af2-all-time.htm|title=Italian Air Force Aircraft Types|website=Aeroflight}}</ref>
{{JPN}}
* [[Japan Air Self-Defense Force]]
* [[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]]
[[File:North American Harvard at Onerahi Aerodrome, New Zealand 1961.jpg|thumb|RNZAF Harvards at [[Whangarei Airport|RNZAF Station Onerahi]], Whangarei, New Zealand, 1961]]
{{flag|Katanga}}
*{{lang|fr|Force Aérienne Katangaise}}<ref name=Katanga>{{cite web|url=http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_182.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051029070252/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_182.shtml |url-status=usurped |archive-date=29 October 2005 |title=Congo, Part 1; 1960–1963 |publisher=ACIG |year=2003 |access-date=9 August 2013}}</ref>
{{LIB}}
* [[Lebanese Air Force]]
{{ROK}}
* [[Republic of Korea Air Force]]
{{flagicon|Laos|1952}} [[Kingdom of Laos]]
* [[Royal Lao Air Force]]
{{MEX}}
* [[Mexican Air Force]] Total of 120 delivered, 47 AT-6 and 73 T-6C
{{MAR}}
* [[Royal Moroccan Air Force]]{{sfn|Cooper|Grandolini|2018|pp=30–31}}
{{NLD}}
* [[Royal Netherlands Air Force]]
* [[Dutch Naval Aviation Service]]
* [[Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force]] – Post war
{{MOZ}}
* [[Military of Mozambique|Mozambique Air and Air Defense Forces]]
{{NZL}}
* [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]] (1 maintained for historic flight)
* [[New Zealand Territorial Air Force]]
{{NOR}}
* [[Royal Norwegian Air Force]] (1 maintained for historic flight)
{{NIC}}
* [[Nicaraguan Air Force|Fuerza Aérea de Nicaragua]] (G.N) Escuela Militar de Aviación 1948-1979
{{PAK}}
* [[Pakistan Air Force]]
{{PAR}}
* [[Military of Paraguay|Paraguayan Air Force]]
* Paraguayan Naval Aviation
[[File:SNJ-4 Texan 7667.jpg|thumb|[[South African Air Force]] Harvard IIA (equivalent to the AT-6C) in World War II era markings]]
{{PHI}}
*[[Philippine Air Force]]
[[File:T 6.JPG|thumb|T-6G in [[Portuguese Air Force]] museum]]
{{POR}}
* [[Portuguese Air Force]]
* [[Portuguese Naval Aviation]]
{{flag|South Africa|1928}}
* [[South African Air Force]]
{{flag|Southern Rhodesia}}
* [[Southern Rhodesian Air Force]]
{{flag|South Vietnam}}
* [[Republic of Vietnam Air Force]]
{{KSA}}
* [[Royal Saudi Air Force]]
{{ESP}}
* [[Spanish Air Force]]{{sfn|Cooper|Grandolini|2018|pp=25, V}}
{{USSR}}
* [[Soviet Air Forces]]
{{SWE}}
* [[Swedish Air Force]] 145 Harvard IIb as Sk 16A, 106 T-6A, T-6B, SNJ-3, SNJ-4 as Sk 16B and 6 SNJ-2 as Sk 16C.
[[File:Harvard AT-6 Syrian Air Force.jpg|thumb|Syrian Harvard]]
[[File:North American Harvard II restored in desert camouflage.jpg|thumb|Restored Harvard II in [[RAF]] desert camouflage colours]]
[[File:T-6G Texan.jpg|thumb|T-6G Texan in Uruguayan Air Force Aeronautic Museum in Montevideo, Uruguay.]]
{{SUI}}
* [[Swiss Air Force]]
{{SYR}}
* [[Syrian Air Force]]
{{THA}}
* [[Royal Thai Air Force]]
* [[Royal Thai Navy]]
{{TUN}}
* [[Tunisian Air Force]]
{{TUR}}
*[[Turkish Air Force]]: 196 planes of various types
{{UK}}
* [[Royal Air Force]]
* [[Royal Navy]]
* [[Qinetiq]] (retired in 2016)<ref>[http://www.warbirdregistry.org/texanregistry/harvard-kf183.html "KF183"]. Retrieved 8 March 2017</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Qinetiq's Last Harvard Departs |magazine=[[Air Forces Monthly (magazine)|Air Forces Monthly]] |page=8 |date=January 2017}}</ref>
{{flag|United States|1912}}
* [[United States Army Air Corps]]/[[United States Army Air Forces|Army Air Forces]]
* [[United States Air Force]]
* [[United States Navy]]
* [[United States Marine Corps]]
* [[USCG|United States Coast Guard]]
{{URU}}
* [[Uruguayan Air Force]]
* {{lang|es|[[National Navy of Uruguay|Aviacion Naval Uruguaya]]}}
{{VEN}}
* [[Venezuelan Air Force]]
{{flagicon|Yemen|1927}} [[Kingdom of Yemen]]
* [[Yemeni Air Force]]<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cooper |first1=Tom |title=Hot Skies Over Yemen |volume=1: Aerial Warfare Over the South Arabian Peninsula, 1962–1994 |date=2017 |publisher=Helion & Company |location=Solihull, UK |isbn=978-1-912174-23-2 |page=I}}</ref>
{{YUG}}
* [[SFR Yugoslav Air Force]]
{{ZAI}}

==Specifications (T-6G)==
[[File:North American T-6G Texan drawing.svg|thumb|T-6G line drawing]]
{{Aircraft specs
|prime units? = imp
<!-- if you do not understand how to use this template, please ask at [[Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Aircraft]] -->
|ref=''Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II.''<ref name=jane>{{Ref Jane's|The North American Texan|251}}</ref>
|crew=two (student and instructor)
|length ft=29 
|span ft=42 
|height ft=11
|height in=8
|wing area sqft=253.7 
|empty weight lb=4158 
|gross weight lb=5617 
|eng1 name=[[Pratt & Whitney R-1340]]-AN-1 Wasp
|eng1 type=[[radial engine]]
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 hp=600 
|max speed mph=208
|max speed note= at 5,000 ft (1,500 m)
|cruise speed mph=145 
|range miles=730 
|ceiling ft=24200 
|climb rate ftmin=1200
|wing loading lb/sqft= 22.2 
|power/mass=0.11 hp/lb (kW/kg)
|armament=
*Provision for up to 3 × {{cvt|0.30|in|2}} [[machine gun]]s
}}

==In popular culture==
[[File:T-6s - a Texan II and a Texan too.JPG|thumb|SNJ with the new [[T-6 Texan II]], left]]
[[File:T6texantotero convert.jpg|thumb|Harvard converted to resemble a [[Mitsubishi A6M Zero]].]]

In the September 1944 issue of ''The Sportsman Pilot'', [[USAAF]] Capt. Paul K. Jones' article stated, "The ''Six'' is a plane that can do anything a fighter can do—and even more. Naturally not as fast, she makes up for speed in her ease of handling and her maneuverability. She's a war machine, yes, but more than that she's a flyer's airplane. [[Aileron roll|Rolls]], [[Immelman turn|Immelmans]], [[inside loop|loops]], [[spin (aerodynamics)|spins]], [[snap roll|snaps]], vertical rolls—she can do anything—and do it beautifully. For actual combat, more guns, more speed and more power is needed. But for the sheer joy of flying—give me an AT-6."{{sfn|Hagedorn|2009|pp=8–9}}

After World War II, the [[National Air Races]] established a unique racing class for the AT-6/Texan/Harvard aircraft; this class continues today at the Reno National Air Races each year.

Since the Second World War, the T-6 has been a regular participant at [[airshow|air shows]], and was used in many [[Film|movies]] and television programs. For example, converted single-seat T-6s painted in [[Imperial Japanese Navy|Japanese]] markings to represent [[Mitsubishi Zero]]s made appearances in ''[[A Yank in the R.A.F.]]'' (1941), ''[[Tora! Tora! Tora!]]'' (1970), ''[[Baa Baa Black Sheep (TV series)|Baa Baa Black Sheep]]'' (1976-1978), and ''[[The Final Countdown (film)|The Final Countdown]]'' (1980). In ''[[A Bridge Too Far (film)|A Bridge too Far]]'' (1977) it represented the razorback [[Republic P-47 Thunderbolt]]. Some were modified for the Dutch film ''[[Soldier of Orange|Soldaat van Oranje]]'' (1977) to represent the Dutch pre–World War II fighter [[Fokker D.XXI]].

The [[New Zealand]] Warbirds "Roaring 40s" aerobatic team use ex–[[Royal New Zealand Air Force]] Harvards. The [[Flying Lions Aerobatic Team]] uses Harvards acquired from the [[South African Air Force]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Team fact sheet |url=http://www.eqstra.co.za/pdf/fact_sheet/flying_lions.pdf |website=Eqstra.co.za |access-date=23 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324065755/http://www.eqstra.co.za/pdf/fact_sheet/flying_lions.pdf|archive-date=24 March 2014}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Aviation}}
{{aircontent
|see also=
* [[Beechcraft T-6 Texan II]]
* [[North American T-6 Texan variants]]
|related=
* [[CAC Wirraway]]<!--local development of NA-16-->
* [[North American A-27]]<!--intermediate attack derivative between NA-16 and AT-6-->
* [[North American BT-9]]<!--USAAC version of NA-16-->
* [[North American NA-16]]<!--original design that evolved into AT-6-->
* [[North American NA-64 Yale]]
* [[North American P-64]]<!--fighter derivative-->
|similar aircraft=
* [[Arado Ar 96]]<!--advanced trainer-->
* [[Fiat G.49]] <!--radial tail dragger advanced trainer, early post-war era-->
* [[I.Ae. 22 DL|FMA I.Ae. 22 DL]]<!--radial tail dragger advanced trainer design similar to NA-16-->
* [[Kyushu K10W]] <!--radial tail dragger advanced trainer from ww2 design to be similar to NA-16-->
* [[Macchi MB.323]] <!--radial tail dragger trainer, early post-war era-->
* [[Miles Master]] <!--radial tail dragger advanced trainer from ww2-->
* [[Percival Provost]]
* [[Piaggio P.150]] <!--radial tail dragger trainer, early post-war era-->
* [[PZL TS-8 Bies]]
* [[Soko 522]] <!--radial tail dragger trainer, early post-war era-->
* [[Valmet Vihuri]] <!--radial tail dragger trainer, early post-war era-->
* [[VL Pyry]] <!--radial tail dragger advanced trainer from ww2-->
* [[Yakovlev Yak-11]] <!--radial tail dragger trainer, early post-war era-->
|lists=
* [[List of aircraft of World War II]]
* [[List of military aircraft of the United States]]
* [[List of aircraft of the RAF]]
* [[List of aircraft of the RNZAF]]
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* Becker, Dave and Brent, Winston. ''AT-6 Harvard in South African Service (African Aviation Series No.1)''. Nelspruit, South Africa:, Freeworld Publications CC, 2000. {{ISBN|0-9583880-2-4}}.
* Bergèse, Francis. ''North American T-6'' (in French). Rennes, France: Ouest France, 1979. {{ISBN|2-85882-183-6}}.
*{{cite book |last1=Cooper |first1=Tom |last2=Grandolini |first2=Albert |title=Showdown in Western Sahara, Volume 1: Air Warfare over the Last African Colony, 1945-1975 |date=2018 |publisher=Helion & Company Publishing |location=Warwick, UK |isbn=978-1-912390-35-9}}
*{{cite magazine |title=Courrier des Lecteurs| magazine=Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire |date=April 2002 |issue=109 |page=3 |trans-title=Readers' Letters |language=fr |issn=1243-8650}}
*{{cite magazine|last1=Cortet|first1=Pierre|title=Du NA-16 au T-6: les biplaces d'entrainement North American: première époque: les trains fixes | magazine=Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire |date=January 1998 |issue=58 |pages=32–37 |trans-title=From NA-16 to T-6: The North American Two-seat Trainer: The Fixed-gear Era |language=French |issn=1243-8650}}
*{{cite magazine |last1=Cortet|first1=Pierre|title=Du NA-16 au T-6: les biplaces d'entrainement North American: première époque: les trains fixes (2e partie)| magazine=Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire |date=February 1998 |issue=59 |pages=28–35 |language=French |issn=1243-8650}}
*{{cite magazine |last1=Cortet|first1=Pierre|title=Du NA-16 au T-6: les biplaces d'entrainement North American: première époque: les trains fixes (3e partie)| magazine=Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire |date=March 1998 |issue=60 |pages=37–42|language=French |issn=1243-8650}}
*{{cite magazine|last1=Cortet|first1=Pierre|title=Du NA-16 au T-6: les biplaces d'entrainement North American: première époque: les trains fixes (4e partie)| magazine=Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire |date=April 1998 |issue=61 |pages=32–34|language=French |issn=1243-8650}}
*{{cite magazine |last1=Cortet|first1=Pierre|title=Du NA-16 au T-6: les biplaces d'entrainement North American: première époque: les trains fixes (5e partie: les NA-57 en France)| magazine=Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire |date=May 1998 |issue=62 |pages=22–29 |trans-title=From NA-16 to T-6: The North American Two-seat Trainer: The Fixed-gear Era (The NA-57 in France)|language=French |issn=1243-8650}}
*{{cite magazine |last1=Cortet|first1=Pierre|title=Du NA-16 au T-6: les biplaces d'entrainement North American: première époque: les trains fixes (6ème partie: les NA-57 de Vichy et de la France Libre)| magazine=Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire |date=January 1998 |issue=58 |pages=31–37 |trans-title=From NA-16 to T-6: The North American Two-seat Trainer: The Fixed-gear Era (The NA-57s of Vichy and Free France |language=French |issn=1243-8650}}
*{{cite magazine |last1=Cortet|first1=Pierre|title=Du NA-16 au T-6: les biplaces d'entrainement North American: première époque: à train fixe (dernière partie) | magazine=Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire |date=July 1998 |issue=64 |pages=30–34|language=French |issn=1243-8650}}
* Davis, Larry. ''T-6 Texan in Action (Aircraft Number 94)''. Carrollton, TX: Squadron/Signal Publications, Inc., 1989. {{ISBN|0-89747-224-1}}.
* Donald, David. ''American Warplanes of World War II''. London:Aerospace Publishing, 1995. {{ISBN|1-874023-72-7}}.
* Fletcher, David C. and MacPhail, Doug. ''Harvard! the North American Trainers in Canada''. San Josef, BC/Dundee, Ont: DCF Flying Books, 1990. {{ISBN|0-9693825-0-2}}.
* {{cite book |last=Hagedorn |first=Dan |title=North American NA-16/AT-6/SNJ |publisher=Specialty Press |location=North Branch, MN|year=1997 |isbn=0-933424-76-0}}
*{{cite book |last1=Hagedorn |first1=Dan |title=North American's T-6: a definitive history of the world's most famous trainer |date=2009 |publisher=Specialty Press |location=North Branch, MN |isbn=9781580071246 }}
* Hamlin, John F. ''The Harvard File''. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. {{ISBN|0-85130-160-6}}.
* Jesse. William. ''T-6 Texan, the Immortal Pilot Trainer''. London: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 1991. {{ISBN|1-85532-154-8}}.
* Kohn, Leo J. ''The Story of the Texan (American Flight Manuals)''. Aviation Publications Co., 1975. {{ISBN|0-87994-034-4}}.
* MacPhail, Doug and Östberg, Mikael. ''Triple Crown BT-9: The ASJA/Saab Sk 14, A Pictorial Essay'' (in English/Swedish). San Josef, BC/Dundee, Ont: DCF Flying Books, 2003.
* Marchand, Patrick and Takamori, Junko. ''North American T-6 et derivés'' (in French). Le Muy, France: Editions d'Along, 2004. {{ISBN|2-914403-21-6}}.
* Morgan, Len. ''Famous Aircraft Series: The AT-6 Harvard''. New York: Arco Publishing Co., 1965.
*{{cite magazine |last1=Nicolle|first1=David|title=Texans sur l'arabe: la 1ère victoire aérienne syrienne | magazine=Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire |date=December 1997 |issue=57 |pages=9–13 |trans-title=Texans over Arabia: The First Syrian Aerial Victory |language=French |issn=1243-8650}}
* Olrich, Walter and Ethell, Jeffrey L. ''Pilot maker; the Incredible T-6''. North Branch, MN: Specialty Press, 1982. {{ISBN|0-933424-34-5}}.
*{{cite magazine|title=Pentagon Over the Islands: The Thirty-Year History of Indonesian Military Aviation|journal=Air Enthusiast Quarterly |date=n.d. |issue=2 |pages=154–162 |issn=0143-5450}}
*{{cite magazine |last1=Sapienza|first1=Antonio Luis|title=Les North American T-6 "Texan" de la Force Aérienne Paraguayenne, de 1943 à nos jours| magazine=Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire |date=January 1997 |issue=46 |pages=15–17 |trans-title=North American T-6 Texans of the Paraguayan Air Force from 1943 to Today|language=French |issn=1243-8650}}
* Smith, Peter Charles. ''North American T-6: SNJ, Harvard and Wirraway''. Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wiltshire, UK: The Crowood Press Ltd., 2000. {{ISBN|1-86126-382-1}}.
* Smith, Peter Charles. ''T-6: The Harvard, Texan & Wirraway – A Pictorial Record''. North Branch, MN: Speciality Press, 1995. {{ISBN|0-7603-0191-3}}.
*{{cite magazine |last1=Sonck|first1=Jean-Pierre|title=1964: l'ONU au Congo | magazine=Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire |date=January 2002 |issue=106 |pages=31–36|trans-title=The United Nations in the Congo, 1964 |language=fr |issn=1243-8650}}
*{{cite magazine |last1=Sonck|first1=Jean-Pierre|title=1964: l'ONU au Congo | magazine=Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire |date=February 2002 |issue=107 |pages=33–38|language=fr |issn=1243-8650}}
* Spring, Ivan and Rivers, Reg. ''Colour schemes and special markings of the North American "Harvard" in service with the SAAF 1940 to 1995''. Pretoria, South Africa: Spring Air Publishers, 1996. {{ISBN|0-9583977-3-2}}.
* Starkings, Peter. ''From American Acorn to Japanese Oak – The tale of an unsung Japanese training aircraft with roots extending across the Pacific Ocean''. Arawasi International, Asahi Process, September–December 2007, Issue 7.
* Swanborough, Gordon and Bowers, Peter M. ''United States Military Aircraft since 1909''. London:Putnam, 1963.
*{{cite magazine|first1=João M.|last1=Vidal|title=Texans in Biafra: T-6Gs in Use in the Nigerian Civil War|journal=Air Enthusiast |date=September–October 1996|issue=65|pages=40–47 |issn=0143-5450}}
* Wache, Siegfried. ''CCF Harvard Mk. IV (T-6) (series F-40 – Die Flugzeuge der Bundeswehr Nr.09)'' (in German). Buchholz, Germany: Buchholz Medien Verlag, 1989. {{ISBN|3-935761-09-0}}.
*{{cite magazine|last=Young|first=Edward M.|title=France's Forgotten Air War|magazine=[[Air Enthusiast]]|date=1984|issue=25 |pages=22–33 |issn=0143-5450}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.warbirdalley.com/t6.htm Warbird Alley: T-6/SNJ/Harvard page] – History, photos, specs, and links
* [http://www.warbirdregistry.org/texanregistry/texanregistry.html Texan, Harvard & SNJ Registry] – Lists approximately 1,200 extant T-6's by serial number
* [http://www.harvards.com/ The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association]
* [http://www.aviation.technomuses.ca/collections/artifacts/aircraft/NorthAmericanHarvard4/ Backgrounder on the Harvard 4] (includes photographs)
* [http://www.airbum.com/pireps/PirepT-6.html AT-6: School Marm With an Attitude] (pilot report)
*[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1939/1939%20-%200208.html "A Yank at Grantham: First North American "Basic" Trainer Delivered to the R.A.F. : The Harvard Described"]''Flight'' 1939 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103134521/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1939/1939%20-%200208.html |date=3 November 2012 }}
*[https://www.scribd.com/doc/73266005 T.O. TT-6C-2 Handbook Erection and Maintenance Instructions T-6, -6A, 6B USAF Model T-6C, T-6D Navy Models SNJ-3, SNJ-4, SNJ-5, SNJ-6]{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} (1956)
*[http://pacificwarbirds.com/history-snj-5-restoration-service/ Pacific Warbirds: North American SNJ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012014516/http://pacificwarbirds.com/history-snj-5-restoration-service/ |date=12 October 2016 }} – History, restoration, service & more
*[https://digitalcollections.museumofflight.org/nodes/view/2800 Pilot's handbook of flight operating instructions for the Texan trainer airplanes, AT-6C and AT-6D, SNJ-4 and SNJ-5]  

{{Navboxes
|title=Articles and topics related to the T-6 Texan
|state=collapsed
|list1=
{{Texan family}}
{{North American Aviation aircraft}}
{{USN scout aircraft}}
{{USAF trainer aircraft}}
{{USN trainer aircraft 1948}}
{{Aircraft manufactured in Canada}}
{{Swedish military aircraft designations}}
{{Thai trainer designations}}
{{Spanish fighters}}
{{Spanish trainer aircraft}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:North American Aviation aircraft|T-06 Texan]]
[[Category:1930s United States military trainer aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1935]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable conventional landing gear]]
[[Category:Single-engined piston aircraft]]