Sale! Swiss Air Force AT-16 Texan Trainer Harvard HA1523 scale 1:72

Hobby Master AT-16 Texan Trainer Harvard HA1523 U-331, Swiss Air Force, 1960s Item: HA1523 1:72 Scale Diecast Model This aircraft is known by many names depending on what country used them and/or the variant of the same airframe. They were AT-6, Harvards, Yale, Texan, SNJ, Wirraway and a few others. These planes were fully aerobatic and could present the student pilot with some situations where he learned to do things correctly or else. These planes were the stepping stones to the more advanced Spitfires and Mustangs of this era. From the 1930s to the 1960s the Harvard was not limited to just the training role. It was also used as a combat aircraft and became part of almost every major power inventory. Like the Huey helicopter the Harvard had its own distinctive sound caused by the propeller tips going supersonic. In 1948 Switzerland bought forty surplus Canadian built AT-16 Harvard IIBs serials from U-301 to U-340, U-331 was ex-RAF FE449. These aircraft were used as advanced trainers to introduce new pilots to instrument flying. The rear cockpit could be completely covered making it necessary for the trainee to rely on his instruments. After 20 years the AT-16s were wearing out and parts were scarce so the Plitaus P-3 replaced the AT-16s. Of the original 40 aircraft 5 were lost to accidents but one was rebuilt and is on display at the Swiss Air Force Museum in Dubendorf. Five were sold to Austria and Great Britain with the remainder being scrapped and the engines sold to the U.S.