SNJ-3 Texan Naval Air Station,1942 (1:72)

The North American T-6 Texan was known by many names. The USN called it the SNJ, the USAAF the AT-6 and the British Commonwealth countries called it the Harvard. Regardless of the name this aircraft truly is 'THE PILOT MAKER'. Thousands upon thousands of men from over 30 nations earned their wings in this aircraft. Between 1938 and 1945 there were 15, 495 of these aircraft manufactured in several variants. A true icon of the aviation world there still are hundreds of these amazing little planes flying 60 years after they first appeared.

In 1942 with the United States well into WWII the need for pilot training became a priority. Training Squadron Three (VN-3) was one of many units formed to fulfill this goal. It took up residence at Chevalier Field in Pensacola Florida. The detachment became VN3D8-a when in 1943 a second detachment of VN-3, VN3D8-b was formed at Saufley Field, 10 miles north of Pensacola. Both detachments eventually were transferred to one facility at Whiting Field in Milton Florida. VN-3 trained hundreds of pilots to replace those lost in battle and eventually to attain the numbers that would be needed for the big push to win the war. VN-3 was decommissioned in 1947 when the need for large numbers of new pilots diminished.
Specifications North American SNJ-3 (Texan)

Role ' Scout / Trainer

Crew ' 1 x Instructor / 1 X Student

Manufactured ' 1939 ' 1948

Engine ' 1 X Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 / 600 hp

Dimensions
Length ' 27 ft 2 in (8.2 m)
Height ' 13 ft 3 in (4.0 m)
Wing span ' 42 ft 0 in (12.8 m)
Wing area ' 248 sq. ft (23 sq m)

Weight
Empty ' 3,250 lb (1,473 kg)
Gross ' 4,440 lb (2,013 kg)

Armament
2 X M-2 .30 cal Machine Guns
1 firing through the propeller
1 flex gun in the rear, canopy enclosure was hinged forward and down then gunner seat would rotate, he would remove stowed gun onto a track. These aircraft didn't have bomb racks and were dedicated gunnery trainers that would shoot targets being towed behind another SNJ or other type of aircraft.