tfhiii Posted March 25, 2018 Share #1 Posted March 25, 2018 Hello everyone, I came across what I believe to be an original WWII-era sketch at an estate sale. Unfortunately, it is not signed or dated so could be post war, but still a neat piece of vintage aviation artwork. Anyway, I could not resist it as it was just a few bucks. It is titled at the bottom "300 Hour Inspection." It appears that there are two mechanics at work--one in the rear replacing a tire and the other working on the prop or engine. Does anyone have an idea about the type of plane and if it could be a U.S. Navy fighter? Thanks for taking a look and any information. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted March 25, 2018 Share #2 Posted March 25, 2018 Looks like a USN Douglas SBD Dive Bomber to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pararaftanr2 Posted March 25, 2018 Share #3 Posted March 25, 2018 It looks like a USAAF AT-6 "Texan" trainer to me. Note the serial number on the tail and the distinctive contour of the fuselage behind the rear compartment, both of which would not appear on an SBD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pararaftanr2 Posted March 25, 2018 Share #4 Posted March 25, 2018 Also, note the curved shape of the elevator, compared to that of the SBD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve B. Posted March 25, 2018 Share #5 Posted March 25, 2018 My first thought was that it was an SBD, but then I thought it was a T-6/SNJ trainer. I looked again and saw the flaps/dive brakes along the trailing edge of the wing. That's a pretty distinctive SBD identifier, along with the tubular bombsight or gunsight forward of the windscreen. I agree with Pararaftanr2 about the shape of the elevators, but that could just be the artist's interpretation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamski Posted March 25, 2018 Share #6 Posted March 25, 2018 It is an AT-6 hands down. AT-6 Texan has the flaps across the bottom of the fuselage like the SBD. No speed breaks on top of the wing in the drawing that should be there for it to be a Dauntless. The dead giveaway is the lip at the rear of the canopy that flares up from the fuselage. The Dauntless has no lip. Also, compare the horizontal stabilizers. The Dauntless has a straight trailing edge elevator, the AT-6 has a curved elevator. AT-6. -Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamski Posted March 25, 2018 Share #7 Posted March 25, 2018 A good comparison shot. -Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pararaftanr2 Posted March 25, 2018 Share #8 Posted March 25, 2018 The SBD had split and perforated dive brakes / flaps. The aircraft represented in the drawing does not appear to have either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pararaftanr2 Posted March 25, 2018 Share #9 Posted March 25, 2018 Steve B., I think what you are interpreting as the tubular gunsight of an SBD, is actually a .30 cal., cowl mounted, machine gun, with the cowling removed, on an AT-6b gunnery trainer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve B. Posted March 25, 2018 Share #10 Posted March 25, 2018 I think you guys are right. I wasn't aware the T-6/SNJ had the flaps across the bottom of the fuselage. I thought that was unique to the SBD. I learned something new today. Thanks! I agree with the T-6/SNJ identification Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pararaftanr2 Posted March 25, 2018 Share #11 Posted March 25, 2018 A little searching on the web provided an exact identification, based on the serial number on the tail in the drawing. It appears to fall within the range of 42-43847-44069, so would be an AT-6C-10-NT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tfhiii Posted March 26, 2018 Author Share #12 Posted March 26, 2018 Wow! Great information and discussion. Thanks everyone for for your interest and expertise. Much appreciated. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim MacDonald Posted March 26, 2018 Share #13 Posted March 26, 2018 Definitely a T-6. The side panel on the right side of the fuselage has been removed showing the welded steel tube construction of the fuselage center section. The SBD's fuselage was riveted and could/would not be removed for an inspection. Also, it didn't have steel tube construction in the fuselage except for maybe the roll over structure behind the pilot. Mac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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