"Air Tandem" 3 seat passenger kit for AT-6???

Fearless Tower · **Joined:** Thu May 26, 2011 5:14 pm **Posts:** 365

Looking through the AT-6D/SNJ-5 TCDS and there is a note under interior equipment that refers to an optional seat configuration called "Air Tandem" Three Passenger Seat Kit. There is no STC number, so I suspect it was a Field Approval thing.

Has anyone ever seen a T-6/SNJ configured with more than two seats? I can't seem to find anything about it on the web.

51fixer · **Posted:** Fri May 11, 2012 11:24 am

Fearless Tower wrote:

Looking through the AT-6D/SNJ-5 TCDS and there is a note under interior equipment that refers to an optional seat configuration called "Air Tandem" Three Passenger Seat Kit. There is no STC number, so I suspect it was a Field Approval thing.

Has anyone ever seen a T-6/SNJ configured with more than two seats? I can't seem to find anything about it on the web.

The SNJ-3 #22 we recently acquired had a rear passenger compartment installed in 1956 and was removed when the restoration started in around 1982.
Basically turning the rear seat area into a 2 seat passenger compartment. All the rear seat flight controls were removed in the process.
Since it was on the way back to stock already I didn't see any of the parts installed but have some things that came in boxes with this project that I've never seen before on a T-6/SNJ so I surmise it was part of the kit.

Fearless Tower · **Joined:** Thu May 26, 2011 5:14 pm **Posts:** 365

51fixer wrote:

Fearless Tower wrote:

Looking through the AT-6D/SNJ-5 TCDS and there is a note under interior equipment that refers to an optional seat configuration called "Air Tandem" Three Passenger Seat Kit. There is no STC number, so I suspect it was a Field Approval thing.

Has anyone ever seen a T-6/SNJ configured with more than two seats? I can't seem to find anything about it on the web.

The SNJ-3 #22 we recently acquired had a rear passenger compartment installed in 1956 and was removed when the restoration started in around 1982.
Basically turning the rear seat area into a 2 seat passenger compartment. All the rear seat flight controls were removed in the process.
Since it was on the way back to stock already I didn't see any of the parts installed but have some things that came in boxes with this project that I've never seen before on a T-6/SNJ so I surmise it was part of the kit.

Ah, I see....sounds like even if you could find the drawings and replicate the kit, removing all of the aft controls is not something I would want to do to a T-6. Thanks!

famvburg · **Joined:** Fri Oct 07, 2005 9:41 am **Posts:** 540

Could it be related to the Tora Kate conversion?

Tailspin Turtle · **Joined:** Sun Jul 08, 2007 10:11 am **Posts:** 103

famvburg wrote:

Could it be related to the Tora Kate conversion?

That was completely different, starting with the substitution of a BT-13 aft fuselage. The second cockpit had controls. This picture was taken in August/September 1971 at William Fox Field in Lancaster, California. Bill Barnes is in the front seat, I'm in the second, and my fiance, Marylee Stephens, is in the third.

51fixer · **Posted:** Fri May 11, 2012 1:28 pm

Fearless Tower wrote:

51fixer wrote:

Fearless Tower wrote:

Looking through the AT-6D/SNJ-5 TCDS and there is a note under interior equipment that refers to an optional seat configuration called "Air Tandem" Three Passenger Seat Kit. There is no STC number, so I suspect it was a Field Approval thing.

Has anyone ever seen a T-6/SNJ configured with more than two seats? I can't seem to find anything about it on the web.

The SNJ-3 #22 we recently acquired had a rear passenger compartment installed in 1956 and was removed when the restoration started in around 1982.
Basically turning the rear seat area into a 2 seat passenger compartment. All the rear seat flight controls were removed in the process.
Since it was on the way back to stock already I didn't see any of the parts installed but have some things that came in boxes with this project that I've never seen before on a T-6/SNJ so I surmise it was part of the kit.

Ah, I see....sounds like even if you could find the drawings and replicate the kit, removing all of the aft controls is not something I would want to do to a T-6. Thanks!

IIRC there was an AD issued where you needed to put an elevator control stop in to limit travel.
That means something with the stop was removed to add the back seat stuff.
This is what was installed on the SNJ-3 at the R/H elevator. The arm of the bellcrank would hit the bolt to stop movement-

Not the neatest thing I've ever seen. :lol:

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