We are excited to welcome Bryan Anderson who is bringing his North American Aviation AT-6D. She was originally built in 1944 as a Navy SNJ-5 and served the USN as a high performance trainer, preparing WWII era aviators to fly the more advanced fighters of the day like the F-8, P-51, P-47, P-40 and P-38. She did some time with the US Navy and then transferred to the Spanish Air Force and was rebuilt as an AT-6D. She is powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1340, 9 cylinder, radial engine, turning out 600 HP. She currently sports a US Navy paint scheme that honors service of the USN flyers stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The NAA T-6 has different names depending on the service that flew them and there are many variants: US Army Air Corp T-6; US Navy SNJ; British & Canadian Air Forces Harvard.
Bryan was a USAF aviator primarily flying the Lockheed U-2 high altitude reconnaissance aircraft and the Northrop T-38 Talon. He also flew for the storied Lockheed Martin Skunks and later a Pilatus Aircraft. He has approximately 10,000 flying hours in a variety of military, civilian and experimental aircraft.
I my early twenties (1973 or 74) I had the opportunity to pilot a T-6 from the front seat out of Santa Barbara when I signed into a US Marine aviation training program. During the flight I performed a number of stunts with the Navy Officer directing me from the backseat including takeoff and landing. I’m a little bit disappointed that I got cold feet and bailed out of the program. I’m looking forward to seeing the T-6 again at the Montrose Airport this coming September. Thank you!
We’re so glad you’ll be able to make it to Tribute to Aviation!