ID of Harvard project in Monroe, LA? (c1993)

[Rob Mears]

I've always wondered what became of this project that was stored at Monroe Regional Airport (MLU) back in the early/mid 1990s. It was complete with 0-time prop but without an engine at that time, and I foolishly passed on purchasing the project for $16,000. There is a partial serial number on the tail, and the I believe the owner said he bought it surplus out of Canada. I was really taken aback by the hard points under the wings and the plane's overall original condition.

Does anyone have a clue where this one might have ended up??

Last edited by Rob Mears on Thu Sep 20, 2012 10:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[AirJimL2]

Rob,

We have talked about this before, it isn't ex-Canadian, but French. See here:

http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.o ... hp?p=52933

No idea on the ID or where it is today.

Jim

[Rob Mears]

Ahh yes Jim, thanks for the reminder. I remember that thread now, and I think I may have identified the plane in the registry. The partial serial number and location of the plane in recent years seems to line up, except the owner I spoke with was a local from Monroe. I'm guessing he may have been representing the plane for the gentleman in Mississippi that bought it from him.

Looks like there's a trip to Dallas in my future to see where they have their AT-6 stored, and to get a visual confirmation. It doesn't appear to be on display at the museum yet.

http://www.warbirdregistry.org/texanregistry/texan-5114429.html

Serial #: 51-14429
Construction #:
182-116
Civil Registration:
N896WW
N729AM
Model: T-6G
Name: None
Status: Displayed
Last info: 2006
History:
Delivered to to Armee de l'Air as 114429, 19??-1965.
- Up for disposal, Feb. 11, 1976.
Sold to US Owner, stored until 1979.
Registration candidate as N896WW, Aug. 1979.
Leslie R. Coffman, West Monroe, LA, 1986.
Ben Cunningham, Jackson, MS, Jan. 1988-1995.
Southern Mechanical Plumbing, Shreveport, LA, July 7, 1998-1999.
- Registered as N729AM, May 1999.
Frontiers Of Flight Museum, Dallas, TX, circa 2004-2006.

[Andy Marden]

It was on display in the museum from around Dec04 to Feb08, but is no longer there.
It was flying in LA/TX May10, Nov10, May11, seen at various shows.
Andy Marden
USAMOOS

[Rob Mears]

Aaah, here it is! Too bad they took all of the cool hardpoints, etc off of it. It cleans up the airframe but in a world of cookie-cutter Texans it kind of robs the plane of its uniqueness. Anyway, she still looks great! I wonder who was responsible for the restoration back to airworthiness?

[pilot06]

Hey Rob,

I wonder if this is the same aircraft. Looks like whom ever restored the aircraft changed a few of things (F rear canopy, pitot head, LH cowl. I would really like to see the interior.

What a nice project to start with. Timing is everything. I passed up a T-6G project that wasn't as complete for $5k. Couldn't afford it after buying my first T-6G.

Regards,
Patrick

[Taylor Stevenson]

Owned by Carl Best up in the Frisco / McKinney TX area. The aircraft could not be in better hands... Carl is the most knowledgeable person on the Texan series that I have ever met. He knows that airplane in and out! Great guy too...

I believe the nose art is Miss Texas.