Hobby Master 1:72 Air Power Series HA1501
North American SNJ-5 Diecast Model
USN, NAS Guantanamo, Cuba, 1956 |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| North American SNJ-5 | | 5" | | 7" |
In the late 1930's North American Aviation began to deliver the T-6 Texan for the USAAF and the SNJ version for the USN. The SNJ had to function like the fighters of the day and be able to carry armament also some had tail hooks (SNJ-5C) to practise carrier operations. Nicknamed the "Pilot Maker" it is considered the most successful trainer ever built, estimates are 100,000 U.S. Military pilots flew these aircraft. Known as the Harvard throughout the British Commonwealth it served in 34 countries with approximately 16,000 planes built.
The SNJ-5's stationed in Guantanamo Bay Cuba were painted in very colorful schemes which makes them very easy to distinguish from other planes. The fuselage was a dark ghost grey, wings fin and tail plane were yellow and the rudder and nose ring were red. A black anti-glare panel finished this unique paint scheme. These planes were used as liaison/trainers, meaning multi-purpose. Jobs included artillery spotting, reconnaissance, transporting personnel, air ambulance and light cargo delivery. It wasn't until the late 1950's that the U.S. stopped using these planes.
Designed as an entry for a 1937 USAAC "Basic Combat" aircraft competition, the T-6 was first flown on April 1, 1935. Several hundred T-6s were built before the advanced trainer designation, when it was modified for its role as a basic combat trainer. Nicknamed "the pilot maker," the Texan had low cantilever wings and a long two seat cockpit, with the engine mounted at the extreme forward. It trained thousands of USAF pilots through the 1950s and remained in service with some nations well into the 1990s. More than 15,000 T-6s were manufactured, and the aircraft remains a familiar air show presence, with 350+ airworthy examples still in existence. © Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Hobby Master's 1:72 scale T-6 Texan is constructed almost entirely from diecast metal, which gives the model a heavy feel. The large bird cage style canopy is removable for an unobstructed view of the pilot and co-pilot, pad printed instrument panels, control stick and seat. Engine details such as pushrod housing and cylinder head cooling fins can be seen inside the engine cowling. The solid metal wing features simulated landing lights, correctly replicated pitot tube and separately-applied aileron bell-crank levers. Releases in this series include an improved-visibility canopy with fewer frames and machine gun pods under each wing.
© Copyright 2003-2013 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" range presents detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft.
Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.
© Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc.
