The last step
before combat
The North American T-6 Texan — known in Commonwealth service as the Harvard — was the standard advanced trainer for Allied pilots throughout the Second World War. After completing basic training on aircraft like the Tiger Moth or Chipmunk, student pilots moved to the Harvard — the final step before flying a combat type: Spitfire, Hurricane, Mustang or Thunderbolt.
Designed by North American Aviation, over 15,000 examples were built across all variants. The aircraft served in the air forces of more than 50 countries. In its "Harvard" form it was the backbone of advanced training in Commonwealth air forces — British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand.
Polish pilots trained on Harvards at SFTS Newton (Service Flying Training School) in England, among other establishments. This was the final phase of training before assignment to a combat squadron. A pilot who had flown the Harvard was ready for war.
The 4M variantHarvard 4M —
the Canadian version
The 4M variant (also known as the T-6G in USAF designation) is a late, improved version of the Harvard produced in Canada after the Second World War. Improvements over wartime variants included the electrical, fuel and radio systems. The aircraft retained the same Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp engine and its characteristic deep, distinctive sound — inseparable from the warbird era.
The 4M variant was exported to many countries and served in military air forces through the 1950s and 1960s. It is these well-maintained examples that form the core of the world's flying Harvard fleet today.
Aircraft data
| Type | North American T-6 Harvard 4M |
| Registration | G-RAIX |
| Markings | 602 Sqn (Aux) RAF |
| Arrived in Poland | 10 Sep 2017 |
| Base | Brzeska Wola |
Specifications
| Engine | P&W R-1340 Wasp |
| Power | 600 hp |
| Wingspan | 12.80 m |
| Length | 8.99 m |
| Max. speed | 335 km/h |
10 September 2017 —
Harvard at Brzeska Wola
On Sunday 10 September 2017, Jacek Mainka and Krzysztof flew in to Konstancin. North American T-6 Harvard 4M G-RAIX joined the rest of the collection — becoming the fourth flying warbird in the fleet.
An advanced trainer used by the Polish Air Force — it's now "at hand." I'm a little daunted — this is a different scale, a different league. It is also, for the first time, "American territory."
Jacek Mainka — after G-RAIX arrived, September 2017The T-6 is a different machine entirely from the Tiger Moth or Chipmunk — heavy, loud, with a 600 hp radial engine. For a pilot used to the 130 hp Gipsy Major it is a genuine leap. That is precisely why the T-6 was the final stage before a combat aircraft — it taught discipline, precision and respect for speed.
Aircraft G-RAIX carries the postwar markings of No. 602 Squadron (Auxiliary) RAF — one of the oldest auxiliary squadrons in the Royal Air Force, celebrated for its role in the Battle of Britain.
The aircraft is based at Brzeska Wola airfield, alongside Tiger Moth T-7230, Auster MT255 and Chipmunk G-BYYU — forming a unique collection of flying reminders of the Polish airmen who served in the West.