SNJ-5 1943 North American SNJ-5 Wisconsin Wing
Description:
Base:
Waukesha, WI
Website:
| SNJ-5 Specs | |
|---|---|
| Role | Trainer |
| Manufacturer | North American Aviation |
| Introduced | 1935 |
| Power | 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 Wasp radial engine, 600 hp |
| Length | 29 ft |
| Height | 11 ft 8 in |
| Wingspan | 42 ft |
| Range | 730 miles |
Our North American SNJ-5 is a 1943 WWII veteran. The SNJ is better known as the Army AT-6 or the British Harvard. Most people call it a “T-6.” Most of the SNJ’s and AT-6’s were manufactured in the Dallas Texas North American factory. For this reason, the AT-6 is also called the “Texan.” It was also nicknamed the "Pilot Maker" as it was the 2-place advanced trainer that nearly every WWII pilot had to learn combat flying maneuvers in. The Navy also added tail hooks to some of the SNJ’s and used them for carrier training.
This advanced trainer was the last plane our fighter pilots flew before moving on to the P-51, P-40, Corsair and other single seat fighters. The Navy used the SNJ for pilot training as well as gunnery training. This SNJ has a rear “flex gun,” which is a Browning ANM2 30 Caliber machine gun.
The AT-6 was used by 24 other nations to train their pilots, and was used in actual air to air and air to ground combat by many of those countries. The USA did not use this plane for actual combat until the Korean War, where it proved itself very well. Two (2) fixed Browning ANM2 30 cal machine guns in the wing and right front cowling, plus another rear gunner “flexible” gun gave the SNJ plenty of firepower. The SNJ was also designed to handle bombs and rockets.
The 9 cylinder Supercharged 600 HP Pratt & Whitney "Wasp" radial engine coupled with a Hamilton-Standard propeller gives this Warbird plenty of power ... and a very distinctive sound...as the prop tips go super-sonic at high power. The SNJ has a top speed of 225MPH and burns an average of 32 gallons per hour. Stall speed is a low 68 MPH with full flaps extended.
