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History of the T-6 Texan
Developed in the late 1930s, the T-6 Texan was the training aircraft for several generations of pilots, playing a key role in military pilot training.
Between 1935 and 1945, more than 15,000 units were produced by North American in the United States and used by nearly 30 countries (France, China, Australia, Great Britain, Honduras, Canada, etc.).
In France, it was used at the Marrakech and Cognac training bases before being replaced by the Fouga CM 170.
It was also used in operations in Algeria and Morocco in the fight against guerrilla warfare (1956–1960).
Its gradual withdrawal began in the 1970s and 1980s.
The T-6 F-AZTL
The Texan F-AZTL, preserved by the Ailes Anciennes de Corbas, was built as an AT-6B (Advanced Trainer) with the serial number 41-17207.
Operational history
31 March 1942: Assigned to Craig Field (Alabama, USAAC) under the tactical code CR311 (CR for Craig).
Trained 9,000 American pilots, 1,392 British pilots, and many French pilots, including the first detachment from the Centre de Formation des Pilotes et Navigants en Amérique (Pilot and Flight Crew Training Centre in America), which received its licence on 7 January 1944 after 90 hours of flight time.
Retains the inscription “Ils grandiront” (They will grow) on the left side of the fuselage.
1951: Converted to T-6G standard and renumbered 51-15102.
1954: Acquired by the French Air Force for training, then deployed in Algeria (1959–1961) with the 10/72 Light Support Aviation Squadron (Orléansville).
1963: Decommissioned and stored at Ambérieu-en-Bugey Air Base, then abandoned in a field before being exhibited by a museum in Normandy.
1996: Recovered and restored by Les Ailes Anciennes de Corbas:
Returned to flying condition to AT-6B standard with a Pratt & Whitney R1340-AN1 “Wasp” engine (600 hp) and its original colours.
First flight after restoration: 5 May 2013.
Technical specifications
Manufacturer: North American
Users: Air Force, Naval Aviation
Missions: Training, fire support
Wingspan: 12.80 m
Length: 8.80 m
Empty weight: 1,870 kg
Maximum weight: 2,500 kg
Engine: Pratt & Whitney R1340-AN1 (600 hp)
Maximum speed: 340 km/h
Cruising speed: 270 km/h
Range: 1,200 km
Operator: Ailes Anciennes de Corbas Pilot: Christian Lucquet Serial number: 51-14387 (c/n 182-074)