North American Aviation XAT-6E "Texan"

During World War II, in 1944, North American Aviation Aero-Engineer, "Tom Sullivan", was given the task of creating an advanced high-altitude fighter transition-trainer for the USAAF. This one of a kind prototype combined a "Fairchild-Ranger" V-12 super-charged engine of special design with an AT-6D airframe, and was subsequently designated as the XAT-6E "Texan". The XAT-6E went through an extensive military flight test program, and demonstrated compliance with all its design goals.

To set the record straight, the XAT-6E did not fail due to reliability, maintenance, or performance problems. With World War II coming to a close, the market for a new generation of trainers ended also.

After World War II, the XAT-6E "Texan" was used in the air race circuit. In the 1947 National Air Races, the one and "only" XAT-6E was flown by race pilot "Margaret 'Mickey' McGrath". The aircraft was clearly, the fastest airplane in the field, even with high-altitude propeller still on it from the military test program. However, fate intervened at the start of the race. The landing gear would not retract and the aircraft was forced out of the race.

The Western Museum of Flight's aircraft started out as a USN SNJ-5. With the acquisition of the Fairchild Ranger V-12 engine, it was decided to configure the aircraft as a replica of the one and only XAT-6E "Texan".  The Museum's project has renewed interest in building a flying version of the aircraft.