North American AT-6A Texan, N77TX / 78-6698, William P. Lear
This picture is © Martin Laycock and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: N77TX
Construction Number: 78-6698
Code Number: 42
Model North American AT-6A Texan
Operator: William P. Lear
Airport: Mojave (MHV / KMHV), USA - California
Photographer: Martin Laycock
Date Taken: 1992
Date Submitted: 06/02/2009
This T-6 is ex-United States Army Air Corps 41-16320. Actually an AT-6 which were equipped with one .30 cal machine gun in the starboard cowling and one flexible .30 cal machine gun in the rear cockpit with 360 degree swivelling rear seat. She served in the gunnery training role at Luke Field, Roswell Field, Higley Field, Harlingen Field, Mather Field, Las Vegas Field, Kaufman County Airport and Kirtland Field. She was struck off charge on 3 October 1945. Sometime in the early 1950's she was sold to the Potugese Air Force as 1620. The Portugese operated the T-6 until 1976. She was operated in the UK briefly during 1979-80, as G-TIDE before returning to the USA and a succession of private owners including William P. Lear. She's now co-owned by Bruce Obermann and Wings of the North and is frequently seen at airshows and fly-ins in Minnesota and surrounding states. Photographed in late 1992.
Picture ID:1157359