North American T-6 Texan / SNJ / Harvard

AD3 worked the flight line at NAAS Barin Field, Foley Alabama. Kenny "Snake" Stabler was the Foley High School Quarterback at the time. At Barin from May 56 - Sept 57. Had approx 200 to 250 SNJs (Bombing, Carrier Landing and Gunnery Training)and 8 Beechcraft (Cross country Training). Eligible for 1 /2 Flight Skins per mo. so took back seat hops in Instructor Aircraft. Did touch and go's on USS Siapan and USS Antietam. Towed the sleeve while NavCads tried to shoot it. That's a scarey thought! And bombed targets in the swamps inland to the Gulf. Took a cross country hop to Montago Bay, Jamaca with two Marine Instructors. Had engine problems. Corrected while pilots went to town. Brought back 20+ cases of "medicinal" Rum "properly" weight distributed in the seats and throughout the aircraft. Got back to Barin Field and guess what -- Admiral's Inspection -- Base compliment lined up on runways. Tower not allowing any aircraft to land. Went to Mainside and stayed out at the end of the taxiway until radioed that inspection was over. Flew back to Barin was greeted by a happy bunch of "Stevedors." I think they were from the BOQ but, I won't tell! I was appropriately reimbursed for my efforts on behalf of the "Cold War." Or should I say "a chilled 1 /2 case of Puerto Rican Rum." Back to the SNJ! Needless to say, from that day forward I earned my monthly skins flying with two great Marine Pilots - Semper Fi!!!

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'Spent many hours flying day and night formation, aerobatics, cross country day and night and graduated class 44G at Luke...then to the P40, etc. A beautiful airplane on the ground and in the air. Many pleasant memories in this sweet airplane!

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I was in USAF Pilot Training Class 52-B. We took basic in the T-6. In the first 3 months of advance training at Reese AFB in Lubbock, Texas,we flew the T-6 instead of the T-28 because the T-28 was grounded for modification. We were then scheduled to fly the B-25 for the last phase of our flying training, but the Air Force decided they did not need multi-engine pilots and we finished our year of pilot training in the T-6. I wonder if any other USAF pilot training classes received their wings by flying only one aircraft. Let me know

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My first love as a trainer. I am really PO'd with the USAF for naming the Rayethon training wheeled, kerosene burning aircraft a T-6.

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Does anyone remember the T6 had no cockpit floor? The ones I flew had two heel tracks leading from the seat to under the rudder pedals. You always had your flashlight tied to your flight suit because if you dropped anything it was gone down to the bottom of the fuselage.

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Flew this sturdy T6G at Graham AB for a fun 120 hours. 1st day after solo found a guy to do acrobatics with. Wonderful feeling upside down and all that stuff. When I landed my instructor was waiting for me. My wing man had been the USAF Commander of Graham, so we went to his office like a good cadet. He wanted to know where I had flown the T6 before and why I hadn't put it down on my info sheet. Told him this was my first time in the T6 and just loved the aircraft and chance to fly it in Cadets. Graduated #3 in the class.

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My first six carrier landings were made in SNJ buno.#51857 12 Aug.'54. Anyone know the whereabouts of this a /c today?
Bill

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My first six carrier landings were made in the SNJ in 1954.

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The T-6 Texan was modified to look like A6M Zeros, FW-190's and even the P-47 for use in various war movies such as Tora!Tora!Tora! and A bridge Too Far.

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