Several different modifications were done to the AT-6 during its production. The AT-6A was powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1340-49 Wasp radial engine. For gunnery training, they built the AT-6B, which was powered by an R-1340-AN-1. A .30 caliber
machine gun was mounted on the forward fuselage. The R-1340-AN-1 became the standard engine used for the remaining production of T-6’s.

During the Korean War, the T-6 was used as a forward air controller. An observer occupied the rear seat, and the aircraft was equipped with smoke rockets that were used to mark enemy targets for bombers.

After World War II, many T-6’s were used in air shows, and in movies. In The Final Countdown and Tora! Tora! Tora!, the T-6 was converted to a single seat and painted with Japanese markings to represent the Mitsubishi Zeroes. They have also been used as pylon racers, and mail carriers.

The AT-6 Texan is one of the most important aircraft of all time; because of the many roles it has played in our history. A total of 15,495 T-6’s were built in the
nine-year production that ran until 1944.

Call us today and schedule a flight in this wonderful historic airplane.

BOEING STEARMAN-N2S-5

Nothing can compare to the experience of strapping into an open cockpit bi-plane and feeling the wind around you as you cruise around the sky. This was the feeling of all World War I pilots and many World War II pilots during their training.

Perhaps the most popular primary training aircraft of World War II was the Boeing Stearman. This great aircraft trained over 193,000 Army Air Corps pilots and half of all U.S. Navy pilots. The Navy designated it as the N2S and the Army Air Corps designated it as the PT. This two-seat bi-plane is of mixed construction. The wings are wood with fabric covering and the fuselage is a welded steel framework covered with fabric. It is fully aerobatic and can perform maneuvers such as loops, rolls, and hammerheads.

Lloyd Stearman was born in 1897, and had received his education in engineering at Kansas State University. He joined the Navy during World War I and was trained in seaplanes. He was a successful mechanic and chief designer for the Laird Aircraft Corporation, which was one of the largest aircraft companies after World War I. In the mid 1920’s, Lloyd Stearman teamed up with Clyde Cessna and Walter Beech to form the Travel Air Company. The Travel Air Company went on to produce several bi-planes that set many national speed records.

In the late 1920’s, Lloyd Stearman ran his own company (Stearman Aircraft Corporation), where he continued to produce successful biplanes. Some of the aircraft produced at this time were used to carry mail cross-country.

In the early 1930’s, Stearman was commissioned by the military to build a primary training aircraft. They were looking for something highly durable and maneuverable. The result was the PT-13 or N2S-1 (commonly known as the Stearman). The PT-13 had a Lycoming R-680 and the PT-17 had a Continental R-670; however an engine shortage in 1940 and 1941 forced them to install a 225 horsepower Jacobs R-755 on some 150 airframes. This model was designated as the PT-18.

In 1934, Boeing Aircraft Corporation purchased the Stearman Company and renamed the company Boeing at Wichita. They had also renamed the aircraft as the Boeing Kaydet; however the more popular Stearman name had stuck with it. 3,519 were delivered in 1940 and more than 10,000 were built by the end of 1945.

After the war, many were modified and converted to crop-dusters. Many others were used in aerobatic demonstrations at air shows and flying circuses.

Warbird SkyVentures operates 2 Stearmans, one with a 275 horsepower Jacobs R-755, and the other with a 220 horsepower Continental R-670. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to fly this wonderful aircraft of the past.

Aeronca Champ 7AC

AERONCA CHAMP 7AC

When someone is asked about their favorite post-war trainer, most people choose one of two airplanes: The Piper Cub or the Aeronca Champ. We chose the Champ because of its many advantages over the Cub. Once on board, your first impression is of the roominess and great visibility from the front seat. All of the major engine controls are located in a panel by the pilot’s left hip, making them accessible from both seats. The Aeronca Champ is truly a classic!!

The company established in late 1928 as the Aeronautical Corporation of America had adopted the name Aeronca Aircraft Corporation in 1941.

It took a while for the U.S. Army Air Corps to appreciate the value of light aircraft in an observation / liaison role, but when the U.S. had received information from Europe in late 1940, where World War II was already more than a year old, they had realized the usefulness of the aircraft. In 1941, the U.S. Army began their evaluation of this category of aircraft. They acquired four light aircraft from three different manufacturers: Aeronca, Piper, and Taylorcraft. For a more complete evaluation of these aircraft, larger numbers were deployed in the U.S. Army’s annual maneuvers to be held later that year. It didn’t take long for the service to realize the usefulness of these aircraft, both for rapid communications and the support of ground troops.

There was a tremendous demand for light trainer aircraft when World War II had ended, and the Aeronca 7AC Champ was there to satisfy the craze. When civilian aircraft production had resumed, Aeronca upgraded and redesigned their prewar designs into the 65 horsepower 7AC Champ. It wasn’t long before the Champ had become one of the most popular training aircraft of the post-war pleasure-flying boom.

Early in 1947, the Army Air Force gave a contract to Aeronca, Inc. of Middletown, OH for 509 copies of a military version of their popular two-place trainer, the “Champ.” Designated as the L-16A, the airplane differed little from the civilian version. Before the L-16 went into production, many airplanes like it were equipped with electrical systems to power the radios that were needed to stay in contact with the artillery units. The L-16 did not have an engine-driven generator, and was somewhat limited in combat. However, a number of L-16’s flew in combat during the Korean War. In Korea, the military installed a battery powered FM two-channel transceiver mounted in the plane. This allowed communications with ground troops. The L-16’s were also used for scouting routes for tanks and armor.

A little over 8,100 Champs were produced, most of which were the 65 horsepower 7AC’s, which ended production in April of 1948.