Italeri 1/48 T-6G Texan

Designed in 1935, the granddaddy of the T-6/SNJ series was built for several nations (including the US) prior to WWII. The type was built in multiple variants once the war got underway that included carrier capable SNJs along with armed T-6s with both a forward and rear firing gun. Some were actually used in combat, but they were mostly used for reconnaissance in addition to training.

The type was also license built in Canada as the Harvard. This aircraft had a few external differences such as a long exhaust pipe from which heat was collected for the cabin and a more rounded rear window. In all over 15,000 aircraft were built before production ended.

Postwar, the type stayed in service and was often provided to a variety of air arms. Some of these planes stayed in military service well into the 1980s. The T-6G, the subject of this kit, was an earlier model AT-6/T-6s re-built between 1949-1953 with improved cockpit layout, increased fuel capacity, steerable tailwheel, updated radios and a 600hp R-1340-AN-1 engine. Identifiable by simplified canopy framing. 2068 modified. The vast majority of extant warbirds are this later version.

This is a reboxed Ocidental kit. There are quite a few similarities between this kit and the older Monogram kit, such that one might think it was a copy. However it is not. This kit has engraved panel lines, proper G model canopy sections, some underwing weapons, separate flaps, along with various antennas not used on WWII aircraft.

The interior is well done with proper framing and the seats have molded on harnesses. There are no decals for the instrument panel, but there is raised detail. A nicely detailed engine is supplied and for that marking options that does not have a spinner, you have prop balance weights.

If building an armed version, holes in the lower wings will need to be opened for the gun pods or rocket pods. it appears the flaps are to be modeled closed, but I see no reason why they couldn't be shown deployed. A separate exhaust is provided for those planes modified from a Harvard 4 that requires cutting away the short stock version. Also included are different canopy sections as some still have the upper multi-panes while others have it with the larger one. The kit includes canopy masks, which is a nice touch. However, the mask is only for the small upper panes so you'll have to hand mask two of the options in this regard.

Instructions are quite well done with Italeri and FS 595 color references. A large decal sheet is provided for five aircraft. Most of them are an overall yellow such as the ones for France, Germany, and Italy. The US one is overall unpainted metal with yellow bits while the Brazilian version is the most colorful with orange wings and tailplanes. The French version was used in Algeria so would be the one that would have the weapons. The decal sheet includes the various anti-glare panels and wing walks so no need to paint those areas.  

This kit does not replace the still very nice Monogram version. Instead, it supplements that one and is the kit to get if you want a post WWII Texan. I got this from an e-paid seller who shipped it in a bag. Needless to say, it arrived badly crushed and I can guarantee I will never buy from that person again. Appropriate feedback was left.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_T-6_Texan_variants

July 2026