Warbird Information Exchange

Hi
The subject T6 is currently being rebuilt to flying status in France.
It is a combat veteran that flew during the war between Algeria and France with the French "armée de l'air".
It entered service in the french air force in October 1957.
I'm trying to find out where the airplane was before that date.
Does someone have information or advice where to search in the US?
Thanks in advance
Philippe

There's a bunch of really great guys here that love to trace down that stuff for ya. But need some info like the tail number which would be like 42-15202. Then the bull number off the ID plate not sure where that is on the T6 but someone knows feel free to ask. Cant do anything without that stuff.

Oops you did give the tail number didn't think they still built them that late.

Thanks for your answer.
We are interested in finding the complete history of the aircraft but also the idea would be to paint it as it came out of the factory.
As stated the airplane is the 51-14314 wich correspond to a serial number 182-1 (maybe that helps...)
Hope something will come out!

51 means 1951, that's the budget year for the contract.

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They were still building t6 past 1951?

They were existing AT-6s being remanufactured as T-6Gs and received new serials (as was also done for C-45s). First one off the line was 49-2897, my first Warbird ride.

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

Did not know that thanks

Bonjour Philippe,

Was wondering where this former Metz T-6G is being rebuild to flying condition now. Have been trying to track it down for a while since it went missing years ago. Last noted at Metz back in 1990. Last noted, dismantled, at Yvetot back in 2007.

BTW, when you would be able to check the top of the truss, the tubular frame, there could be a dataplate with the former AT-6C / AT-6D serial. This one, 51-14314, is reported to be former 42-4409 but that's not a AT-6 serial, so is a typo. A digit missing?

Regards,

Benno, Pays-Bas (that's The Netherlands)

Also Canada was making Harvard 4s in the same time period, 50' 52'

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Thanks everybody for the replies.
Didn't know about the remanufacturing thing. That makes it's previous operational life longer than expected... Quite exciting!
To Benno: the airplane is now in Saint Rambert d'Albon. It comes from Dijon. I assume it was in Yvetot before that.
We don't know much of it's French Air Force life except that it was in service from October 57 to January 66 and served with EALA11/72 in Algeria.
No luck yet for the additional data plate. There is a discoloured area on the anti-crash pylon that could correspond to a missing data plate... We will keep dismantling the fuselage and have a closer look at the upper tube of the truss, finger crossed.

The original serial data tag is on the top of the rollover structure just behind the pilot's seat and should be fairly easy to find. Once you have this number, send it along with the 51-14314 to the USAF Historical Research Agency at Maxwell AFB, AL. They maintain all the records cards and can provide a copy. One card will be for its original service life as a T-6C or D and the other for its time as a T-6G up to its transfer to the French.

In case you haven't seen it, you can also see some great images at: http://www.frenchwings.net/

Ken

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"Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves."

Hi Ken
Thanks very much for the contact at Maxwell AFB, I think that's exactly what I'm looking for.
I knew the frenchwings website, in fact all the knowledge I have comes from it!!
The rollover structure is what I call the "anti-crash pylon". Still have to remove the center canopy to have a closer look.

Hi Philippe,

In case you might be interested. I have a couple of pictures of 51-14314 :
- in a fake target towing colourscheme when in use as instructional airframe at Merville, date unknown
- 1985/06/02, Open Day Metz, coded VM with 19/72 insignia
- 1986, no code, with 6/70 - 7/72 insignia

You can send me a PM

Regards,

Benno

Wish I'd seen this before. This is its USAF history:

T-6G 51-14314
NAA Columbus (NS) – no idea what this means; I’ve not seen this on NAA-produced aircraft before.
Project ADC-2T-197 (Air Defense Command 1952 Trainer Project No.197)
Contract AF-21174
Available –
Accepted 15Oct51
Delivered 15Oct51
Assigned to 123rd FIS OR ANG Portland (Tactical unit support)
Assigned to 89th Air Base Sqn Portland 16Apr52 (Tactical unit support)
Hill AFB/Ogden AMA 26Aug52 (transient maint)
89th Air Base Sqn Portland 28Aug52 (Tactical unit support)
503rd Air Defense Gp Portland 16Feb53 (Tactical unit support)
4704th Defense Wing McChord 29Jul53 (Individual training - flying proficiency)
567th Air Defense Wing McChord 01Aug53 (Individual training - flying proficiency)
503rd Air Defense Group Portland 04Sep53 (Individual training - flying proficiency)
503rd Air Defense Group Portland 17Dec53 (project inactive)
3040th Aircraft Storage Sqn Davis Monthan 29Dec53 (storage)
To MDAP 10Dec56

Nothing post-MDAP transfer. Looks to have been an ADC hack rather than a trainer.