Timeline Flight 13 -- North American AT-6 Texan

With the approach of Civil Air Patrol's 80th anniversary Dec.1, Maj. Ronald C. Finger of the Minnesota Wing's Crow Wing Composite Squadron worked with Col. Frank Blazich of the Col. Louisa S. Morse Center for Civil Air Patrol History, CAP national historian, on a special project -- to create “Timeline Flight” paintings showcasing some of the wide variety of CAP aircraft flown over the years.

The 21 aircraft selected span the Coastal Patrol days of World War II, the postwar years and finally the aircraft Civil Air Patrol aircrews fly today. This is the 13th. Others will be posted every five days.

North American AT-6 Texan N7295C “De Flying Dutchman”

• Capacity: Two
• Length: 29 feet
• Maximum speed: 208 mph
• Cruise speed: 145 mph
• Range: 730 miles
• Service ceiling: 24,200 feet

The North American Aviation T-6 Texan is a single-engine advanced trainer aircraft used to train pilots during World War II and into the 1970s. Designed by North American Aviation, the T-6 is known by a variety of designations depending on the model and operating air force. The U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) and U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) designated it as the AT-6.

N7295C has had a long and interesting life spanning the USAAF, USN, CAP and then as a race aircraft in California. In 1981 it went to British Columbia sporting Royal Canadian Navy livery — then was damaged, repaired and sent back to the U.S. in World War II Navy yellow as an Illinois warbird. It ground-looped in 2007 but was repaired and finally reappeared at the EAA's AirVentujre Oshkosh in 2011 as WB11.

N7295C, nicknamed “De Flying Dutchman,” was flown by the California Wing.

Sikorsky S-39B
Stinson 105-10A Voyager
Beechcraft Staggerwing B-17L 
Waco YKS-6
Fairchild 24-C8F
Grumman G-44A Widgeon
Stinson SR-9C Reliant “Gull Wing”
Piper J3-65 Cub
Culver Cadet LCA
Ercoupe 415-C
Aeronca L-16A
Beechcraft T-34 A