Identifying WW2 AT-6 wrecks help needed.

[TimAPNY]

I visited a crash site of an AT-6 yesterday. I found out about it on line but it only referred to as some type of primitive WW2 trainer. After looking over some information on crashes in the area I figured it was AT-6D 42-85033 that crashed in mid 1945.

So I visited the site in hopes that it was a Texan, and that I might find some markings or ID plate to confirm my suspicion it is that aircraft. After looking at a few hundred pieces and climbing all around it I could only find one panel that looked like it had a "3" on it. (which might rule out anther AT-6C that might have crashed about 1 mile away as there are no 3s in that serial number).

So I ask... Are there ways of telling from the remains if this aircraft that it is an AT-6D or not? What might be good things to look for when I go check out Texan crashes as there seems to be several within a few hours of where I live now and I might get a chance to search for more. I'd like to order the crash report but that will not happen any time soon as I'm moving and I don't have the cash to do that right now.

Is this a case where the facts point to an ID and you just have to go with it? Is common in Wreck chasing?

Here are a few pict’s but I’ll do up a write for it soon as I have some time.







Tim

[Hal B]

Well, from the looks of the main frame that WAS a T-6. And the area just aft of the rear seat looks just the same as the T-6D in our museum, but... that doesn't prove anything.

[Project Warbird]

Tim,

This is a T-6D or C model. The only way you will be able to find out which one, is a data plate. On the tube frame there should be one, on the top role bar. That is the rectangle plate. That has the serial # stamp in the metal, or a data plate on it. The other places you can look for a plate is on the very last bulkhead of the tailcone. One on the center section in the flap area. Or on the wings. They're in the L area for the ailerons. It may be Navy so it will have SNJ-5 or SNJ-4 instead.

Eric

[Tim Savage]

Tim,

This is a T-6D or C model. The only way you will be able to find out which one, is a data plate. On the tube frame there should be one, on the top role bar. That is the rectangle plate. That has the serial # stamp in the metal, or a data plate on it. The other places you can look for a plate is on the very last bulkhead of the tailcone. One on the center section in the flap area. Or on the wings. They're in the L area for the ailerons. It may be Navy so it will have SNJ-5 or SNJ-4 instead.

Eric

I have only found dataplates on the top of the rollover structure if the airplanes were converted to G-models or went through an extensive mod at Pensacola. Not to say that some didn't have them. I have twenty odd airframes at my place right now, various D-models and SNJ-5s and there are no serial plates on the rollover structure. On the SNJ-5Cs I have there are plates indicating the tubes have been treated with Parakatone (sp).

Another place to check to see if it is a D-model or C-model is the cross tubular on the right side before the tail cone. If it isn't all rusted you should be able to see whether it has an 88 series part number or 77/78.

Some of the airplanes do indeed have a plate on the very aft bulkhead of the tailcone, but I have found it doesn't always correspond to the serial number since it is usually a NAA part # plate.

[snj-5]

Here are my thoughts:

The swivel rear seat mount means it's not a "late model"
T-6 (not an F or G).

The original data plate was on the trim panel on the right side
of the front cockpit (if you were sitting in the front seat, it'd be by
your right shoulder). Can't tell from the pics you posted, but there
doesn't appear to be much left of the cockpit area...

If there was anything left of the electrical / charging system, you
might be able to infer whether it was a D or not by finding 12 volt
vs 24 volt components (24V = D model), but it doesn't look like
there is much left of the airplane....

Bela P. Havasreti

[JDK]

Is this a case where the facts point to an ID and you just have to go with it? Is common in Wreck chasing?

More often than you'd think.

As you've just found, and the replies have shown, even core data can not be where it 'should' on an airframe, so it's sometimes necessary to add all the information and draw a conclusion. That's fine.

It gets tricky when someone hides their detective work and states unequivocally it's aircraft X or Y.