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Spiros Pendedekas
156 articles

Hobby Boss 1/72 T-6 Texan

April 16, 2024 · in Aviation · · 53 · 230

The origins of the T-6 can be traced as far back as 1935, where North American Aviation introduced their first trainer aircraft.

Designated NA-16, it became the forerunner of a variety of single-engine, low-wing monoplanes with tandem seating. Of them, the BC-1, which featured retractable landing gear, can, in many respects, be regarded as the true forebear of the Texan.

A classic, straightforward design, the T-6, which was produced in numerous variants, served in a great many air forces around the world in the mid to late 20th century.

While mainly used for training, it was also repurposed into combat roles. As a trainer, it was generally not regarded as “easy”, but more like as “positively demanding”, to the point that it would produce good pilots out of the students who flew it. A common sight in air shows and museums as warbird nowadays, this fine machine was built in no less than 15,495 examples.

The Royal Hellenic Air Force became well acquainted with the type, using quite a few variants. At first, Greek pilots were trained in British Harvard Mk.Is at Rhodesian schools during WWII.

After 1946, a respectable number of British Harvard Mk.II A/Bs, Mk.IIIs as well as American T-6D/Gs were assigned to Greece.

During the Greek Civil War (1946-49) they became the first aircraft of this type to be used in Counter Insurgency (COIN) missions and as “advanced air controllers'', either pinpointing enemy positions for their bigger armed aircraft or themselves striking ground targets when conditions permitted.

Since those missions were typically flown at dawn, those T-6s were nicknamed “The Milkmen”.

The type was retired from Greek service by 1969, being the Hellenic Air Force Academy's main trainer till then.

This is yet another nice “Easy Assembly” kit from Hobby Boss. As such, it might lack the amount of detail possibly found on other non-Easy Assembly kits, but it is nicely done in its own right and offered at really bargain prices.

Should you wish to read the full build review, you may do so by visiting my beloved site Modelingmadness:
https://modelingmadness.com/review/allies/us/usaaf/trainers/pent6.htm

Happy Modelling!

Reader reactions:
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53 responses

  1. A wonderful result, Spiros @fiveten
    Hard to believe this is an "easy assembly" kit, it still builds into a nicely detailed Texan.

  2. Very nice, I have a fondness for T-6s and SNJs.

  3. Profile Photo
    said on April 16, 2024

    Another nice build, my friend @fiveten! It certainly doesn’t look like an “easy assembly” kit!

  4. Great work as always, my friend!

  5. Well done, Spiros (@fiveten), especially for an "easy-build" kit. The framing on the canopy makes my hands shake.

  6. Excellent build, Spiros!

  7. looks very very good!

  8. This Texan built up very nice, Spiros. @fiveten

  9. Very attractive little Texan. The background story of their use in Greece is very interesting.

  10. Great job, Spiros. It looks resplendent in Hellenic markings. An interesting bit of background too, thanks for posting.

  11. Historical background unknown till now for me Spiros,thanks!

  12. A very neat little trainer, Spiros.

  13. I know they’re not perfect……but the more I build them, the more I like them.
    Nice work on this kit, Spiros!

  14. That's a lovely result on such a basic model. The Greek colour scheme really gives it pop as well. Wonderful work.

  15. Nice Texan, Spiros. Great history too. I knew about the HAF Spitfires and Helldivers used in the civil war, but not the Texans.

  16. That Texan looks really good. I’ve been leery of HB “easy assembly” kits but it looks like HB didn’t totally blow it. Thanks for building this one up, Spiros @fiveren.

  17. Very sharp build. Those Texans... sorry Harvards are nice looking sharp aircraft.

  18. Nice one brother it seems almost every country on earth used these at one time or another

  19. Nice job on this little Texan, Spiros

  20. Nice looking model, Spiros.

  21. Great finish Spiros. Good lookin’ bird.

  22. Nifty looking model. Well done

  23. He looks very good. A beautiful training aircraft.

  24. Terrific Texan, Spiros!
    That canopy must have been a nightmare to mask. How did you manage to do that?
    Great build.

  25. A nice one Spiros!

  26. Nicely done Spiros.

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