Probably the most produced (17,000+) "Advanced Trainer" in history, used by the US Air Corps (AT-6) , Navy (SNJ) and by many other countries (notably the RAF and the RCAF as the "Harvard"), this handy little aircraft was an important step for tens of thousands of pilots on the road to certification for combat aircraft. In service well into the 1950s and renowned for her nimble, forgiving handling, it's only natural that this was the aircraft chosen when an easily disguised double was needed for the Japanese Zero in numerous movies and TV shows, including "Ba Ba Black Sheep" and "Tore Tora Tora!."
The film we're showing here is representative of the basic skills training every fledgling pilot received:takeoff, approach, landing, emergencies, small fields, and crosswinds.. With a fairly modest, but responsive, 550 hp Pratt & Whitney Wasp radial engine, provision for front and rear firing machine guns or light bombs, roomy cockpit with good all around vision, and rear seating for an instructor/observer, the sturdy "Texan" was a truly outstanding all around flight training platform. The Allies ability to crank out many thousands of such effective aircraft and employ them in thorough training programs that produced proficient pilots ready for combat was one of their under appreciated keys to victory in World War II.-
