The SNJ (equivalent to the USAF T- 6 Texan) is a WWII-era trainer. In this old photo the aircraft has had its propeller, wings, canopies, and some body panels temporarily removed, but is in very good condition for its age.
Midway's Hangar
The Restoration Facility for the USS MIDWAY museum
(Currently known as The San Diego Aircraft
Carrier Museum, on the USS Midway CV-41)
North American SNJ
The SNJ
was the Navy version of the North American T-6 basic trainer, which was used by thousands
of fledgling pilots as their last trainer before operational duty in World War II. First
deliveries were ordered in 1936, with the different variants remaining in service in large
numbers well into the 1950's. |
The SNJ (equivalent to the USAF T- 6 Texan) is a
WWII-era trainer. In this old photo the aircraft has had its propeller, wings, canopies,
and some body panels temporarily removed, but is in very good condition for its age.
The restoration volunteers had to acquire or
reconstruct some of the missing body panels, like the one above (in yellow) that joins the
wing to the fuselage.
At one time the side panels of the SNJ were open, so
that you could see what the interior of a WWII aircraft looked like.
The aircraft was once painted as a T-6 for a role in a movie called "Swing
Shift". starring Goldy Hawn
(as a Rosie The Riveter-type character), though it has now been repainted in more
appropriate USN markings.
Here's the SNJ in its new paint scheme. (Photo by restoration volunteer
Nick Thompson).
UPDATE: The SNJ is now aboard the Midway, and looks great!
This particular aircraft's history:
Date Of manufacture: unknown
Where manufactured: unknown
Assignment Locations:
| 31 MAR 1950 | Pensacola |
| 01 SEP 1950 | NAS Squantum |
| 11 SEP 1952 | Pensacola |
| 04 FEB 1953 | Barin Field (CQTU-4) |
| 25 JAN 1955 | Pensacola |
| 25 JUL 1956 | Barin Field (NAAS NABTC) |
| 27 JAN 1958 | Pensacola |
This aircraft is on loan from a private owner.