Turbo-supercharged Texan? ...

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7567

Seems to be some sort of modification for post-war spraying? Sure looks like a turbo-supercharger. Although very unlikely.

Looks to be NX6228?

Matt Gunsch · **Posted:** Fri Oct 23, 2020 9:52 pm

that is a turbo, not sure how much good it would do, unless they were flying to 25,000 ft, the engine all ready had a 10:1 supercharger, the cylinders could not handle any more manifold pressure. I have flown the 6 at 14,000 ft and it is a slug.

Tulio · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2004 1:05 am **Posts:** 3236

In the last couple of days, I have seen a similar photo.

The caption indicates that the airplane was used for a cloud-seeding project.

Saludos,

Tulio

EDITED

Added the photo from Dan Hagedorn's collection, as it appears on page 167 of his book on the T-6.

Tulio · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2004 1:05 am **Posts:** 3236

Page 110, Peter C. Smith's book on the T-6, SNJ, Harvard and Wirraway.

The photo caption states: "The one and only CA-14 (A46-1001), which was a converted standard Boomerang fitted with the massive General Electric turbo-supercharger. On the opposite side of the fuselage an equally large air intake was mounted. RAAF Museum

Tulio · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2004 1:05 am **Posts:** 3236

Page 335, Dan Hagedorn's book "Texans and Harvards in Latin America" shows this modified T-6, with what is clearly a supercharger (turbo??) But identified in the caption as "elaborate exhaust muffler"

Saludos,

Tulio

MacHarvard · **Posted:** Sat Oct 24, 2020 5:18 pm

I have never encountered that cloud seeder aircraft before, and I thank you, Mark, for posting it, but number 54 was Betty J. Clark's mount in the 1947 Halle Trophy Race at the Nationals. Unfortunately, she did not place. The following year, she fared a little better, flying number 49, a Ranger powered AT-6, to fourth place, at 215.59 mph.

By the March '48 issue of Flying magazine, the owner of '54' was offering the AT-6 plus 1000 dollars for a more useful aircraft!

Keep'em coming, Mark! :drink3:

Doug

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7567

MacHarvard wrote:

Number 54 was Betty J. Clark's mount in the 1947 Halle Trophy Race at the Nationals. Unfortunately, she did not place. The following year, she fared a little better, flying number 49, a Ranger powered AT-6, to fourth place, at 215.59 mph. By the March '48 issue of Flying magazine, the owner of '54' was offering the AT-6 plus 1000 dollars for a more useful aircraft!

Here's a batch more Doug.

Here's NC9972H

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11282

Cloud seeding at high altitude with an open cockpit? No thanks!

K5DH · **Posted:** Tue Jan 04, 2022 6:59 pm

That turbocharged Texan was covered in a recent issue of Air Classics.

mike furline · **Joined:** Wed May 05, 2004 3:45 pm **Posts:** 2537

NC9972H http://www.warbirdregistry.org/texanreg ... 17218.html

JohnB · **Posted:** Wed Jan 05, 2022 2:01 am

Before cloud seeding was mentioned, I was going to suggest mapping or survey work.

In the photo Tulio posted above, with that cut down canopy, doesn't it look like a Lockheed Orion?

MacHarvard · **Posted:** Wed Jan 05, 2022 6:21 am

Excellent! I've been out of touch for a few days and just found your new set of photos, Mark. I don't know where you find this material, but I certainly appreciate you sharing! :drink3:

cheers
Doug

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