Undoubtedly the most widely produced (over 17,000 built) and recognizable trainer of all time is the T-6 Texan. What started as the BT-9 in the mid-1930s went on to be used as an advanced trainer in over 40 Air Forces. Even today, it is not uncommon for people to see the T-6 as this easy to maintain aircraft has become a perfect warbird for those who have champagne tastes and a beer budget!!

The T-6G, which is the subject of this kit, is a reworking of the WWII era AT-6s. It includes modernized avionics (such as they were), a steerable tail wheel (usually with a P-51D wheel on it), and a new greenhouse with many of the canopy frames deleted. This gave much better visibility. It also had all armament removed. Most of the T-6Gs were part of the MAP or Military Assistance Program. The new Luftwaffe and Japanese Air Force had the T-6G as their first aircraft. 

Academy has been well known for producing modern versions of older kits and this one is no exception. Though it looks very much like the Heller kit, there are enough differences to prevent it from being a direct copy. For instance, it has engraved panel lines, a more complete interior and a separate pilot's canopy. There are also no underwing bomb racks or gun pods. This is enough to give it the 15% difference required by international copyright laws.

All of that aside, it really looks like a very nice kit. The Heller version was a super build and one of my favorites, so this one should be just that much better. The interior is much nicer with side wall detail that is not in the Heller version. 

The instructions are the usual pictograms with six construction steps. All colors are given in each step. The color chart gives only generic names and no FS colors. The decals are probably the highlight of the kit. I have used Academy decals and those in the newer kits are really very well done. These are no exception with bright colors and good registration.

You get three schemes for this kit. One is an Israeli Texan that is also given in an older Microscale decal sheet. This one is painted in standard Israeli camouflage and the FS numbers for the various colors are given in a sidebar for this scheme. The other two schemes are in overall aluminum. I don't think these aircraft were in natural metal, but were painted instead. Someone with more knowledge on this can straighten me out if I am incorrect. (Well, it didn't take long before I got  straightened out. Tim Kalina states that the ROK AT-6 that is held in storage at the Air Force Museum is indeed in natrual metal. Thanks, Tim )The Korean Air Force version is quite colorful with its red and white rudder stripes. The USAF version is one that was used for FAC duties during the Korean war. This aircraft has colored bands on the wing tips and tail tip. Many of these planes had black undersides, but this scheme does not show that.

Overall, it looks like a very nice model. Whether it is worth paying nearly twice the price for it over the Heller kit is a choice that you need to make. 

Review kit courtesy of me and my wallet!

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly by a site that has over 1,100 visits a day, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.