Texans and Harvards in Latin America

by Dan Hagedorn

Air-Britain

Reviewed by David L. Veres

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No trainer produced more pilots than North American Aviation’s legendary T-6/SNJ/Harvard family.  Developed over 75 years ago, nearly 20,000 variants served 80 nations.  And of these, hundreds soldiered as advanced trainers and combat aircraft in 20 Latin American militaries.

Now TEXANS AND HARVARDS IN LATIN AMERICA brilliantly chronicles this legendary design in Latin America.

No stone remains unturned in author Dan Hagedorn’s amazing effort.  Painstakingly researched, the comprehensive, country-by-country compendium spans 21 chapters and 352 pages.  The tale traverses historical analyses of all known military and civil examples, serial numbers, and individual aircraft fates.

Hagedorn’s visual feast sports over 300 B&W and color photos – many never previously published.  Coverage also includes archival drawings and equipment details – all of superb value to modelers of this timeless classic.

Surprises and segues abound, too.  Hagedorn explodes the “Mexican Dive Bomber” myth, reveals Argentina’s indigenous I.Ae.22 DL “clone”, and navigates T-6’s in United States 6th Air Force, Antilles Air Command, and Puerto Rico National Guard service.

I especially enjoyed sections on Brazil, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Peru – the last including service and fates of seven unique NA-50 single-engine fighter-bombers.  Captivating!

Hundreds of T-6 variants remain airworthy today.  And author Hagedorn’s ripping read contains a huge “annex” listing every World War II surplus survivor in dazzling detail.

I simply couldn’t put TEXANS AND HARVARDS IN LATIN AMERICA down.  Trainers.  Fighters.  And attack variants.  Looking for colorful, unique modeling inspiration?  You’ll find it here!

Rabidly recommended.

Copy purchased by the reviewer.  TEXANS AND HARVARDS IN LATIN AMERICA can be ordered directly from AIR-BRITAIN:

41 Penshurst Road
Leigh
Tonbridge
Kent
TN11 8HL
United Kingdom
+44 01732 835637
+44 01732 838968
sales@air-britain.co.uk
www.air-britain.co.uk.

Review Copyright © 2011 by David L Veres
This Page Created on 21 July, 2011
Last updated 21 July, 2011

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