WHY WOULD ANYONE want to own and
operate a full-scale North American AT-6
Texan? Part of the fun and challenge for us
was to restore a 1944 AT-6D/G.
We started with a dismantled D model
that had been used by the US Army/Air Force
and then the Paraguayan Air Force as a
frontline fighter. It was returned to the states
in pieces in the early 1980s. Little did we
know how personal the experiences would
become throughout the years of operating and
owning this aircraft.
Our goal was to create a multiuse airplane.
We wanted it to be able to compete in the
Reno National Championship Air Races and
remain military in all respects. We looked for
an authentic paint scheme that would be
attractive at both civilian air shows and
military fly-ins. Then, for something extra, it
needed to be rigged for basic air show
aerobatic capabilities.
After we worked diligently for nine months
with three other experienced mechanics, our
goals were accomplished in 1992. We raced
“Miss Appropriation of Fund$” at Reno,
Nevada, and Phoenix, Arizona, for seven
years, and we flew it in hundreds of military
fly-ins and air shows including EAA’s
AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin; Sun ’n
Fun in Lakeland, Florida; and the Joe Nall Fly-
In in Woodruff, South Carolina.
In 1995, we participated in the Freedom
Flight: a trip across the US with more than 200
other World War II aircraft, to celebrate the
end of the war on D-Day. We flew down New
York’s Hudson River, over the USS Intrepid
aircraft carrier, and around the Statue of
Liberty.
Some of the most fulfilling moments of
ownership have been meeting the people who
flew full-scale Texans during wartime. We
have taken many veterans and even a couple of
WASPs up in the airplane. Most had not been
in one since they were on active duty 50 or 60
years before. Without exception, they
absolutely loved reliving the experience.
The most moving experience occurred
when an older gentleman walked up to the
airplane on a ramp in Illinois during the
Freedom Flight and stood a few feet away. He
was frozen at attention, although it was a hot
summer day.
As we approached him, he turned and
asked if Miss Appropriation was our airplane.
With tears rolling down his cheeks, he said,
“Do you know what you have here?” We
answered that we did.
He went on to relate a few experiences of
his own, flying an AT-6 that he had not seen
in decades. He thanked us several times for
keeping the airplane flying, for his kids and
grandkids to see and appreciate.
We live and fly with six T-6 pilots, who
are neighbors. We are all formation-certified,
and flying formation is one of the most
challenging and rewarding of our endeavors.
We are often requested to present militarystyle
flyovers for programs on Memorial
Day, Armed Forces Day, Veterans Day, and
Fourth of July celebrations in nearby towns
and communities, which we proudly do.
Even more important, we are often
requested to salute our fallen military heroes
at graveside services or memorials with the
“Missing Man” formation. No words can
convey our emotions as we fly over.
We are humbled and grateful to be able to
show our respect for all those who have
served so that we have the opportunity to fly,
maintain, and preserve this airplane and this
part of the past for future generations. The
AT-6 Texan certainly has a special place in
the history of aviation.
In 2002, we had plans to attend the Nats for a week and then travel immediately to the EAA AirVenture fly-in with the T-6.
Logic was simple; since Muncie, Indiana, was on the way, we would land at Reese Airport, which borders the AMA site, fly in the
RC Scale Aerobatics competition, and then proceed on to Kenosha and Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
As fate would have it, Mike McConville of Horizon Hobby/Hangar 9 was also at the Nats. He mentioned that his company was
looking for a warbird to produce as an ARF that would be sporty, colorful, and appeal to a large number of modelers. When he
saw my full-scale AT-6, he decided that it would be the perfect candidate.
After he and I went up for a
demo flight, the Horizon design
crew met us on the ground.
They took all of the
measurements and many
photos.
A few months later, Miss
Appropriation of Fund$
became a beautifully detailed
ARF, complete with retract
gear. It met all expectations and
flies great.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2010/02
Page Numbers: 16,17,18,19
Edition: Model Aviation - 2010/02
Page Numbers: 16,17,18,19
WHY WOULD ANYONE want to own and
operate a full-scale North American AT-6
Texan? Part of the fun and challenge for us
was to restore a 1944 AT-6D/G.
We started with a dismantled D model
that had been used by the US Army/Air Force
and then the Paraguayan Air Force as a
frontline fighter. It was returned to the states
in pieces in the early 1980s. Little did we
know how personal the experiences would
become throughout the years of operating and
owning this aircraft.
Our goal was to create a multiuse airplane.
We wanted it to be able to compete in the
Reno National Championship Air Races and
remain military in all respects. We looked for
an authentic paint scheme that would be
attractive at both civilian air shows and
military fly-ins. Then, for something extra, it
needed to be rigged for basic air show
aerobatic capabilities.
After we worked diligently for nine months
with three other experienced mechanics, our
goals were accomplished in 1992. We raced
“Miss Appropriation of Fund$” at Reno,
Nevada, and Phoenix, Arizona, for seven
years, and we flew it in hundreds of military
fly-ins and air shows including EAA’s
AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin; Sun ’n
Fun in Lakeland, Florida; and the Joe Nall Fly-
In in Woodruff, South Carolina.
In 1995, we participated in the Freedom
Flight: a trip across the US with more than 200
other World War II aircraft, to celebrate the
end of the war on D-Day. We flew down New
York’s Hudson River, over the USS Intrepid
aircraft carrier, and around the Statue of
Liberty.
Some of the most fulfilling moments of
ownership have been meeting the people who
flew full-scale Texans during wartime. We
have taken many veterans and even a couple of
WASPs up in the airplane. Most had not been
in one since they were on active duty 50 or 60
years before. Without exception, they
absolutely loved reliving the experience.
The most moving experience occurred
when an older gentleman walked up to the
airplane on a ramp in Illinois during the
Freedom Flight and stood a few feet away. He
was frozen at attention, although it was a hot
summer day.
As we approached him, he turned and
asked if Miss Appropriation was our airplane.
With tears rolling down his cheeks, he said,
“Do you know what you have here?” We
answered that we did.
He went on to relate a few experiences of
his own, flying an AT-6 that he had not seen
in decades. He thanked us several times for
keeping the airplane flying, for his kids and
grandkids to see and appreciate.
We live and fly with six T-6 pilots, who
are neighbors. We are all formation-certified,
and flying formation is one of the most
challenging and rewarding of our endeavors.
We are often requested to present militarystyle
flyovers for programs on Memorial
Day, Armed Forces Day, Veterans Day, and
Fourth of July celebrations in nearby towns
and communities, which we proudly do.
Even more important, we are often
requested to salute our fallen military heroes
at graveside services or memorials with the
“Missing Man” formation. No words can
convey our emotions as we fly over.
We are humbled and grateful to be able to
show our respect for all those who have
served so that we have the opportunity to fly,
maintain, and preserve this airplane and this
part of the past for future generations. The
AT-6 Texan certainly has a special place in
the history of aviation.
In 2002, we had plans to attend the Nats for a week and then travel immediately to the EAA AirVenture fly-in with the T-6.
Logic was simple; since Muncie, Indiana, was on the way, we would land at Reese Airport, which borders the AMA site, fly in the
RC Scale Aerobatics competition, and then proceed on to Kenosha and Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
As fate would have it, Mike McConville of Horizon Hobby/Hangar 9 was also at the Nats. He mentioned that his company was
looking for a warbird to produce as an ARF that would be sporty, colorful, and appeal to a large number of modelers. When he
saw my full-scale AT-6, he decided that it would be the perfect candidate.
After he and I went up for a
demo flight, the Horizon design
crew met us on the ground.
They took all of the
measurements and many
photos.
A few months later, Miss
Appropriation of Fund$
became a beautifully detailed
ARF, complete with retract
gear. It met all expectations and
flies great.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2010/02
Page Numbers: 16,17,18,19
WHY WOULD ANYONE want to own and
operate a full-scale North American AT-6
Texan? Part of the fun and challenge for us
was to restore a 1944 AT-6D/G.
We started with a dismantled D model
that had been used by the US Army/Air Force
and then the Paraguayan Air Force as a
frontline fighter. It was returned to the states
in pieces in the early 1980s. Little did we
know how personal the experiences would
become throughout the years of operating and
owning this aircraft.
Our goal was to create a multiuse airplane.
We wanted it to be able to compete in the
Reno National Championship Air Races and
remain military in all respects. We looked for
an authentic paint scheme that would be
attractive at both civilian air shows and
military fly-ins. Then, for something extra, it
needed to be rigged for basic air show
aerobatic capabilities.
After we worked diligently for nine months
with three other experienced mechanics, our
goals were accomplished in 1992. We raced
“Miss Appropriation of Fund$” at Reno,
Nevada, and Phoenix, Arizona, for seven
years, and we flew it in hundreds of military
fly-ins and air shows including EAA’s
AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin; Sun ’n
Fun in Lakeland, Florida; and the Joe Nall Fly-
In in Woodruff, South Carolina.
In 1995, we participated in the Freedom
Flight: a trip across the US with more than 200
other World War II aircraft, to celebrate the
end of the war on D-Day. We flew down New
York’s Hudson River, over the USS Intrepid
aircraft carrier, and around the Statue of
Liberty.
Some of the most fulfilling moments of
ownership have been meeting the people who
flew full-scale Texans during wartime. We
have taken many veterans and even a couple of
WASPs up in the airplane. Most had not been
in one since they were on active duty 50 or 60
years before. Without exception, they
absolutely loved reliving the experience.
The most moving experience occurred
when an older gentleman walked up to the
airplane on a ramp in Illinois during the
Freedom Flight and stood a few feet away. He
was frozen at attention, although it was a hot
summer day.
As we approached him, he turned and
asked if Miss Appropriation was our airplane.
With tears rolling down his cheeks, he said,
“Do you know what you have here?” We
answered that we did.
He went on to relate a few experiences of
his own, flying an AT-6 that he had not seen
in decades. He thanked us several times for
keeping the airplane flying, for his kids and
grandkids to see and appreciate.
We live and fly with six T-6 pilots, who
are neighbors. We are all formation-certified,
and flying formation is one of the most
challenging and rewarding of our endeavors.
We are often requested to present militarystyle
flyovers for programs on Memorial
Day, Armed Forces Day, Veterans Day, and
Fourth of July celebrations in nearby towns
and communities, which we proudly do.
Even more important, we are often
requested to salute our fallen military heroes
at graveside services or memorials with the
“Missing Man” formation. No words can
convey our emotions as we fly over.
We are humbled and grateful to be able to
show our respect for all those who have
served so that we have the opportunity to fly,
maintain, and preserve this airplane and this
part of the past for future generations. The
AT-6 Texan certainly has a special place in
the history of aviation.
In 2002, we had plans to attend the Nats for a week and then travel immediately to the EAA AirVenture fly-in with the T-6.
Logic was simple; since Muncie, Indiana, was on the way, we would land at Reese Airport, which borders the AMA site, fly in the
RC Scale Aerobatics competition, and then proceed on to Kenosha and Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
As fate would have it, Mike McConville of Horizon Hobby/Hangar 9 was also at the Nats. He mentioned that his company was
looking for a warbird to produce as an ARF that would be sporty, colorful, and appeal to a large number of modelers. When he
saw my full-scale AT-6, he decided that it would be the perfect candidate.
After he and I went up for a
demo flight, the Horizon design
crew met us on the ground.
They took all of the
measurements and many
photos.
A few months later, Miss
Appropriation of Fund$
became a beautifully detailed
ARF, complete with retract
gear. It met all expectations and
flies great.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2010/02
Page Numbers: 16,17,18,19
WHY WOULD ANYONE want to own and
operate a full-scale North American AT-6
Texan? Part of the fun and challenge for us
was to restore a 1944 AT-6D/G.
We started with a dismantled D model
that had been used by the US Army/Air Force
and then the Paraguayan Air Force as a
frontline fighter. It was returned to the states
in pieces in the early 1980s. Little did we
know how personal the experiences would
become throughout the years of operating and
owning this aircraft.
Our goal was to create a multiuse airplane.
We wanted it to be able to compete in the
Reno National Championship Air Races and
remain military in all respects. We looked for
an authentic paint scheme that would be
attractive at both civilian air shows and
military fly-ins. Then, for something extra, it
needed to be rigged for basic air show
aerobatic capabilities.
After we worked diligently for nine months
with three other experienced mechanics, our
goals were accomplished in 1992. We raced
“Miss Appropriation of Fund$” at Reno,
Nevada, and Phoenix, Arizona, for seven
years, and we flew it in hundreds of military
fly-ins and air shows including EAA’s
AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin; Sun ’n
Fun in Lakeland, Florida; and the Joe Nall Fly-
In in Woodruff, South Carolina.
In 1995, we participated in the Freedom
Flight: a trip across the US with more than 200
other World War II aircraft, to celebrate the
end of the war on D-Day. We flew down New
York’s Hudson River, over the USS Intrepid
aircraft carrier, and around the Statue of
Liberty.
Some of the most fulfilling moments of
ownership have been meeting the people who
flew full-scale Texans during wartime. We
have taken many veterans and even a couple of
WASPs up in the airplane. Most had not been
in one since they were on active duty 50 or 60
years before. Without exception, they
absolutely loved reliving the experience.
The most moving experience occurred
when an older gentleman walked up to the
airplane on a ramp in Illinois during the
Freedom Flight and stood a few feet away. He
was frozen at attention, although it was a hot
summer day.
As we approached him, he turned and
asked if Miss Appropriation was our airplane.
With tears rolling down his cheeks, he said,
“Do you know what you have here?” We
answered that we did.
He went on to relate a few experiences of
his own, flying an AT-6 that he had not seen
in decades. He thanked us several times for
keeping the airplane flying, for his kids and
grandkids to see and appreciate.
We live and fly with six T-6 pilots, who
are neighbors. We are all formation-certified,
and flying formation is one of the most
challenging and rewarding of our endeavors.
We are often requested to present militarystyle
flyovers for programs on Memorial
Day, Armed Forces Day, Veterans Day, and
Fourth of July celebrations in nearby towns
and communities, which we proudly do.
Even more important, we are often
requested to salute our fallen military heroes
at graveside services or memorials with the
“Missing Man” formation. No words can
convey our emotions as we fly over.
We are humbled and grateful to be able to
show our respect for all those who have
served so that we have the opportunity to fly,
maintain, and preserve this airplane and this
part of the past for future generations. The
AT-6 Texan certainly has a special place in
the history of aviation.
In 2002, we had plans to attend the Nats for a week and then travel immediately to the EAA AirVenture fly-in with the T-6.
Logic was simple; since Muncie, Indiana, was on the way, we would land at Reese Airport, which borders the AMA site, fly in the
RC Scale Aerobatics competition, and then proceed on to Kenosha and Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
As fate would have it, Mike McConville of Horizon Hobby/Hangar 9 was also at the Nats. He mentioned that his company was
looking for a warbird to produce as an ARF that would be sporty, colorful, and appeal to a large number of modelers. When he
saw my full-scale AT-6, he decided that it would be the perfect candidate.
After he and I went up for a
demo flight, the Horizon design
crew met us on the ground.
They took all of the
measurements and many
photos.
A few months later, Miss
Appropriation of Fund$
became a beautifully detailed
ARF, complete with retract
gear. It met all expectations and
flies great.
