Help identify this 101' AT-6 Texan
 

A while back I acquired a 1/5 scale AT-6 with a 101" ws. With the research I was able to do, I narrowed it down to a RacePro or an AeroSport . I don't know which. It has a one piece wing and both the wing and fuselage are built of Nomex honeycomb. The elevators are skin hinged so this plane was built for Platinum AT-6 racing only. It has robart L.G. and a G-62. Wing has no flaps. Cowl is fiberglass. Inside the cockpit, is painted White Lanier Racing. The Texan is cream yellow and the racing number on the rear fuselage is 009. The front 1/3 of the Fuselage is covered in sponsor decals. I will try to post pictures. I ned to know for sure which, RacePro or Aerosport and help with its history.
Thanks, Allen

RE: Help identify this 101' AT-6 Texan
 

Hi Planeloco,

Looking at the platform of the fuelage side, You dont have a Aerosport. The airfoil is more drastic on the Aerosport and the Cowls are Longer. Also the wings were never built with Nomex.

On the other hand, I dont think Race Pro ever did Nomex either. On a RacePro, the Wheel wells were shapped differently. I believe you may have another type of T-6. I own the molds to the DLD AT-6 and that isnt it either. There is a possibility you may have a GT products AT-6 since they also did a composite airplane. I am not familiar with them as there was no many of them around.

I have raced AT-6 and other Giant Scale for many years and that plane just doesnt look familiar.

One question I have that I could not answer was what is the overall construction of the wing. Were the Ailerons Skinless Hinge also? If you could provide a shot of the inside of the fuse and the area around the fuse where the wheel wells go that may help.

Sorry!!

RE: Help identify this 101' AT-6 Texan
 

I believe it is in fact a Race Pro. He did use Nomex honeycomb material pretty extensively, at least in the beginning. I agree with Kevin that it is definitely not an Aerosport, and I know for sure it wasn't made by me. Also it doesn't resemble any other kits known to me.

David Layne
David Layne Designs, (DLD)

RE: Help identify this 101' AT-6 Texan
 

Hey David,

I thought about the Race Pro also, but the gear that Joe Marine used had a rubber band system in the wing and also the landing gear wheel wheels where open on the fuse.... I am not sure at all what this is. I am going to check some pics tonight when I get home and take a look.

RE: Help identify this 101' AT-6 Texan
 

At first glance, it doesn't appear to be a Race Pro as the major production version was. This probably was one of the earlier T-6 racing planes though, so it could be a really early version of the race pro. Many T-6 kits went through iterations, which included different construction methods and modifications. Most T-6's started off from Ziroli plans and look pretty similar in shape.

Michael

RE: Help identify this 101' AT-6 Texan
 

Thank You all for the sincere help in identifying this a/c and history. Here are some more photos (poor digital camera) to give add'l help. At USRA forum I was asked if any S/N in fuselage and nature of wing construction. No S/N is noticed and the entire wing is Nomex appears to have been vacumn formed. No spars or ribs are noted though surely some formers or ribs exist. Notice the indentation formed in the fuselage for the exhaust pipe. May give some clue. Also, appears to be Laminar flow wing? Thanks, Allen

RE: Help identify this 101' AT-6 Texan
 

You got me:eek:


The pics of the fuselage resemble that of the early Race Pros with the wing mouting system. The only thing that is throwing me off is the wing cuffs on the fuselage. There isnt hardly any on the fuse. The other thing that is throwing me off is that the wing is composite, yet the ailerons looked like they have hinges.

A while back if I recall, Ralph Braun designed his own AT-6 that was Yellow. If someone got ahold of one of his, then this may be the result. He copies a couple other kits. I know on some of his Unlimted Warbirds and Formula Ones that Ralph had, they had their own style of composite wings. The other possibility that you may have is that this could be the newer Version of the Bridi AT-6. I know that Dave Bridi came out with a full composite kit. A friend of mine has a wing. Dave Bridi was using Nomex also.

Now I just opened up a whole new can of worms........Bridi or Braun!!!!