Trainers in Combat

[Glen]

Greetings
I was wondering How many Trainers hae been used in Combat type roles ? I know that a All Women Air Group in the USSR in WW2 flew night Mission in Biplane Trainers . Has their ever been any American types used in Combat ?

[warbirdcrew]

T-6 Texans were pressed into service in Korea as "Mosquitoes". I forget the designation. IIRC they had underwing machine gun pods.

[snj5]

Many American trainer types have been used in combat.
Just as starters,
Stearmans were used by the PAF during the Japanese invasion
AT-6/SNJs used widely throughout war zone in ww2
T-6Gs used in Korean war as FACS
T-28s used in Vietnam/Laos as FACs/light attack

The P-80 was to a large extent a single seat T-33

Although not as a direct usage, attack and fighter versions of both the T-37 and T-38 saw service as the A-37 and F-5

And the tradition continues as the newest trainer, the AT-6 Texan II is being evaluated to be modified as a COIN aircraft.
I'm sure many here can fill in more.

[AviaS199]

The AT-6 was also used by the Israelis and the Syrians in the 1948 Arab-Israel war.

[Tulio]

WACO aircraft were used in combat in S. America, specifically in Brazil. I don't remember the model, but I believe CSO to be it.

And although armed, the Guatemalan Military Aviation Corps Ryan STMs did not see combat.

At least one AT-6D was shot down by a CIA P-47 in 1954, in Guatemala.

Honduran AF AT-6s took part in the 100 Hour War against El Salvador, in July 1969.

Saludos,


Tulio

[EXPAT0149]

Jet Provost was given guns n pylons became the strikemaster , the Omani's used them in anger ....
Doh ...didnt read the original post correctpy ....american types.....sorry

[RickH]

TA-4 used as a FAST FAC in Viet Nam.



Prior to getting the TA-4, the same unit started with TF-9s.

[TonyM]

Many American trainer types have been used in combat.


The P-80 was to a large extent a single seat T-33

.

You have this backwards.

The T-33 was derived from the P-80 design, not the other way around.

The P-80 was a fighter and came first; it first flew on January 8, 1944. Later redesignated the F-80 (1948), the fighter was used in a combat role in Korea. The USAF never used the T-33 in combat as far as I know.

On a related note: Twenty-three T-28 Trojans were lost in Viet Nam.

TonyM.

Last edited by TonyM on Sun Aug 03, 2008 9:47 am, edited 1 time in total.

[mlenoch]

The T-33 was used by combat units in Korea to train new pilots for F-80 missions. Not sure if it was ever 'bombed up', but likely had 2x.50s.
The AT-33 may have been used in South America to quell overly zealous citizens or neighbors.
VL

[Second Air Force]

On the subject of the T-33--a few were equipped with a gun nose (two only, I believe) and saw service during the Korean conflict. I don't remember the circumstances, but I think they were in a Recon unit. I can't recall if they got out where lead was flying, but I have a photo of one of them somewhere in my attic. The T-33 being restored for static display at Coffeyville has what appears to be a two-gun nose on it.

Heck, the F-94A/B are just a T-33 with an afterburner and radar, so I suppose they would also qualify!

You beat me to the punch, Vlado! And also answered the question as to what they were used for in Korea. Thanks.

[TonyM]

The T-33 was used by combat units in Korea to train new pilots for F-80 missions. Not sure if it was ever 'bombed up', but likely had 2x.50s.
The AT-33 may have been used in South America to quell overly zealous citizens or neighbors.
VL

I'm not trying to pick a fight.

My reference books indicate that the T-33 airplanes were not used in combat by the USAF.
Yes, the T-33 was used to train P-80 pilots for combat. Not the same thing as being in combat.
During WWII, AT-6 airplanes were used to train P-51 pilots for combat.
My references indicate that the USAF did not use the T-33 in combat.

I'm still looking so that maybe I can agree with you guys, but I am not finding anything.
Can you point me to a reference that I can look at?

TonyM.

Last edited by TonyM on Sun Aug 03, 2008 10:09 am, edited 3 times in total.

[lestweforget]

The CAC Wirraway was used in combat during WW2 , and the T-34 Mentor was used by the Argentinians during the Falklands.

[Fouga23]

Fouga Magister used in combat by Belgium, Katanga, Israel,....

[Steve Nelson]

I saw a movie once where a bunch of T-6s and BT-13s bombed Pearl Harbor...

SN

[Jiggersfromsphilly]

I saw a movie once where a bunch of T-6s and BT-13s bombed Pearl Harbor...

SN

LOL!!! How about the B-17 Gs acting like D models?