Photos/Whereabouts of CAF Pacific Wing AT-6

[Locobuster]

I was wondering if anyone might have any photos and/or information on an AT-6 that was restored by the Pacific Wing of the (then) Confederate Air Force.

The aircraft was painted as AT-6A-NA 41-661 with the markings of the 55th Pursuit Squadron from while they were stationed at Hamilton Field (Sept. 1940 - Dec. 1941.) It had the typical pre-war horizontal red and white stripes on the rudder and 95 20P (plane 95, 20th Pursuit Group) on the tail, the squadron's insignia on the fuselage and it probably had a blue cowling.

While recently going through some articles I discovered one where two former 20th Fighter Group vets went to Vacaville, California for the unveiling of the aircraft in 1986 or 87. This got me wondering if the aircraft still exists and, if so, does it still wear 55th Pursuit Squadron markings?

[Roger Cain]

Victor,

Sometime in the 1990's she received a new paint scheme. I've got pictures of her from 1987 in the Pursuit scheme you mentioned above, and have attached a picture from the NorCal AAHS website of it that I took a few months ago. She's been wearing this scheme ever since. I'll send the older paint schemed picture of it to you in your email.......Roger

[Locobuster]

Wow Roger, thanks for the quick reply. That be her! Though I might be a bit prejudiced I much prefer the original scheme.

Victory By Valor!
Syd

[Rhythmjohn]

Hi....I know it's been a few years since you posted your interest in N3195G, but I was one of the guys who restored her in the early 80's, and have a few photos of the process if you are still interested.

The plane itself is now in Michigan from what I understand, still with a CAF Wing there. I don't know why it was removed from the Golden Gate Wing and moved there, but you never know with the CAF !

Let me know, and I'll send you what I can dig up....

Thanks,

[Alan Brooks]

[quote="Rhythmjohn"]
The plane itself is now in Michigan from what I understand, still with a CAF Wing there. I don't know why it was removed from the Golden Gate Wing and moved there, but you never know with the CAF !




The Golden Gate Wing turned in both the T-33 and the T-6..... at the wings request.... not HQ. The T-33 is now with the Memphis Wing..... and indeed the T-6 is now with the Wisconsin Wing.
Thanks for all of your work on the T-6.....
alan

[CAPFlyer]

Is the T-33 the same T-33 that was in Blue Angels colors and had a brief swim through Lancaster & the D/FW Wing?

[Randy Wilson]

Is the T-33 the same T-33 that was in Blue Angels colors and had a brief swim through Lancaster & the D/FW Wing?

No, that was a privately owned T-33. Can't remember the owner at the moment. Sorry.

Randy

[Tom N]

I think 3195G is an SNJ-4 or 5......it was a nice flying airplane.

[Rhythmjohn]

Tom N....hmmm what that be you, Mr Nightengale? You should know about the plane, you flew it enough!

John Whyte

[Mike Halbrook]

And so, the ropes having rotted away, the former members of the Pacific Wing come bobbing to the surface....

[Rhythmjohn]

.....I beg your pardon?....What happened?

[Mike Halbrook]

Nothing much John, it is just interesting to see the Pacific Wing mentioned after all this time, with some of us now rather scattered around the country. I remember the SNJ in question from when it had the earlier Navy paint job.

[Stoney]

Is this the same one that Jim Williams donated to the CAF?

[Rhythmjohn]

Yep....One in the same. It was restored with new engine, complete dis-assembly and re-assembly replacing everything that was broke, or about to be broke at the Nut Tree Airport in the early 80's. She was put into the markings of the 55th Pursuit Sqdn. that was based at Hamiliton Army Air Field that also had a presence at North Field Oakland Airport, where in the 80's, the CAF Pacific Wing was based.

This effort was headed up by an ambitious young (24 if I remember right...) Air Force mechanic by the name of Pete Miller.

Lots of good memories!