Warbird Information Exchange

The SNJ-2 is my favorite of the Navy version of the NA. Besides the skytypers....how many SNJ-2's are left? Are there any that might be possible to buy and restore?

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About five years ago I flew the U-11A to Florida, along with three other friends, to pick up the -2 of a friend who had suddenly passed away. The guy we picked it up from (who was the previous owner) said there were only 8 SNJ-2's still around and flying, and that 4 were with Skytypers.

The T-6 driver who flew the -2 back on my wing (radios didn't work well) found a couple interesting differences. One being the larger fuel capacity. This was explained as being needed for off-shore operations during carrier quals. Another was the locking tailwheel. Thankfully his first turn was on grass. Sure plowed up a nice patch of sod! The last thing that comes to mind was the starter system. You would step on a starter button on the floorboard, which would get the starter spinning, then pull a T-handle on the instrument panel to engage it. This would give you about 8 blades to get a start before having to do it all again. OH, and the biggest visual difference was the squared off bottom of the rudder.

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Mike

I forgot to add that this SNJ-2 was sold a couple of years ago, after having been on the market for a year or so. The original asking price was $125K, which was about $20K less than the average price of other T-6 types at the time. I think it went for a bit less. I don't know for sure where it went.

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Mike

My best guess would be twelve. Mort Arken (Skytypers east coast) had six and Greg Stinnis (Skytypers west coast) had six. Then a guy in Cincinnati named Neil Schafer had one he restored. That totals thirteen. Last year Skytypers had one crash thus twelve left. Skytypers west coast has since sold their six and I don't know were they all ended up.
I agree that the SNJ-2 is the best of all the T-6 models just due to the fuel capacity. There are a few things that arn't so great about them but I'll take that extra fuel any day.

I could be wrong but.....................
#1 All early T-6/SNJs starting with the BC-1 had a wet center section.
#2 all T-6/SNj up to the 'G' has a full swivle locking tailwheel.
#3 Many T-6/SNjs had a inertia starter with the peal between the rudder pedals.
#4 These early ones had horiz stabs with a sharper rake to them. Some racers at put these on their a/c thing they would increase speed.
Mystical Power has the -2 stabs.
Over to the experts.

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Don't touch my junk!!

the tail on the snj-2 is much different and apparently if what I read was correct the snj-2 is the navy version of the BC-1. I really think the SNJ-2 is the coolest looking of the snj/t-6 line. The tail really makes the aircraft look quite different. if I ever have the money someday I wouldn't mind trying to get one but seeing how they are a rare model I am guessing my chances would be slim.

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The center section is also wider for the longer main landing gear I understand. There is one under restoration in Chino that was a former West Coast Skytypers aircraft.

The SNJ-2 was almost is own critter, the tail cone is shorter, as is the tail wheel assembly, the vert fin mounting is different, the center section is a wet wing and is wider than a 6, and the gear legs are about 3 inches longer than a 6, and of course the rudder is rounded.

I had 6 of the Skytypers west SNJ-2s in my care while they were awaiting sale.

First time I did a gear swing I had the same set up I used for a 6 and when the jacks were at max, the wheels were still firmly on the ground. I ended up setting the jacks on a couple of 4x4s to get the thing off the ground.

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Matt Gunsch, A&P, IA, Warbird maint and restorations
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