North American T-6G Texan - Erickson Aircraft Collection - Madras, OR - Static Aircraft Displays on Waymarking.com

The Erickson Aircraft Collection relocated approximately 20 aircraft to the Madras Airport in 2014. This collection of mostly WWII vintage planes were previously housed in a military hanger at the Tillamook Air Museum (NW coastal town in Oregon).

The following verbiage is taken from the Erickson Aircraft Collection website to describe its history:

T-6 Texan

NARRATIVE

North American Aviation, builder of the B-25 Mitchell bomber and the P-51 Mustang fighter, was also responsible for the design and production of one of the finest training and light attack aircraft in history. The AT-6 evolved from North American’s line of training aircraft that dated from 1935. This series, the BT-9 through BT-14, along with the BC-1, was redesignated the AT (Advanced Trainer) in 1940. The new plane was rapidly integrated into the Army aviation training program as the AT-6. Cadet pilots advanced to the Texan after mastering flying skills in the Stearman Kaydet PT (Primary Trainer), and the Vultee Valiant BT (Basic Trainer). U.S. Navy student pilots also flew the North American product which carried the Navy’s designation of SNJ. During World War II, the plane was utilized in training and attack roles by several nations, including Great Britain, Canada, Australia and the Soviet Union. Use of the Texan continued into the post war period. In 1947, the plane was redesignated as the T-6 by the newly established U.S. Air Force and remained in active service in this country until 1958. The aircraft has also performed in the armed forces of over fifty nations, including those of France, Israel, Spain, Brazil and New Zealand. Modified BC-1s were known as the Harvard and Yale in Great Britain and Canada, and the Wirraway in Australia. Since the Texan bears a resemblance to many Japanese WWII aircraft, altered T-6s have represented planes from that nation in films such as Tora, Tora, Tora, and others.

Ther interpretive display in front of this aircraft goes on describe its history and reads:

The aircraft on display is one of 1,802 T-6s remanufactured under a 1949 modernization program and redesignated as T-6Gs with new serial numbers. It was used by the Air Force until the mid-1950s when it was given to Spain and operated by its air force until 1983 when it was sold at auction. It was brought to the United State and acquired by the museum in 1994.

This plane has an inventory page at Warbirdregistry.org here

Each aircraft contains its own interpretive display and I've included a picture of it which contains additional info on this aircraft.

This collection is definitely worth the visit for any aircraft enthusiast.

Type of Aircraft: (make/model): North American T-6G Texan Tail Number: (S/N): 49-3326 Construction:: original aircraft Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): Erickson Aircraft Collection - Madras Airport inside / outside: inside Other Information:: Admission GENERAL: $9.00 SENIOR: $8.00 VETERAN: $7.00 YOUTH (6-17): $5.00 CHILD (5 and under): FREE Access restrictions: The Erickson Aircraft Collection is open to the public this summer daily from 10am to 5pm, except Monday. The Collection will be closed to the public Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Visit Instructions:
Photo of aircraft (required - will be interesting to see if the aircraft is ever repainted or progress if being restored)
Photo of serial number (required unless there is not one or it is a replica)
Photo(s) of any artwork on the aircraft (optional but interesting)

Tell why you are visiting this waymark along with any other interesting facts or personal experiences about the aircraft not already mentioned.

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