Identification - WWII USN Torpedo Bomber?

• Jul 4, 2020

• #1

teddy1066

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2

1

Jul 4, 2020

A friend's grandfather is one of the pilots in this photo. He was a US naval aviator in WWII and was shot down and a Japanese POW in the Phillipines until liberation.

My best guess is that these are US Navy torpedo bombers, possibly Douglas Devastators? Would love to know for certain what planes these are.

Thanks and a happy Fourth to you all!

Ted

 

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• Jul 4, 2020

• #2

fubar57

General

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Nov 22, 2009

The Jungles of Canada

Navy Harvards or whatever the navy called them. SNJ I think
Edit: should have mentioned that is was an advanced trainer

 

Last edited: Jul 4, 2020

• Jul 4, 2020

• #3

GrauGeist

Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung

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22,526

Aug 29, 2008

Redding, California

www.netallurgy.com

Yep, Geo nailed it: North American SNJs of the USN

 

• Jul 4, 2020

• #4

fubar57

General

32,816

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Nov 22, 2009

The Jungles of Canada

Someone else should be able to nail down the exact model. It seems every time they added a nut or bolt the model number changed

​

 

• Jul 4, 2020

• #5

GrauGeist

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Aug 29, 2008

Redding, California

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The photos aren't clear enough (at least on this POS phone) to see the BuNos on the tails to get a better clue as to the time and assignment of that flight.

 

• Jul 4, 2020

• #6

fubar57

General

32,816

19,245

Nov 22, 2009

The Jungles of Canada

I tried on my laptop using IrfanView to zoom in and it wasn't any better

 

• Jul 4, 2020

• #7

macharvard

Airman

91

114

Apr 22, 2007

Southern Ontario, Canada

teddy1066 said:

A friend's grandfather is one of the pilots in this photo. He was a US naval aviator in WWII and was shot down and a Japanese POW in the Phillipines until liberation.

My best guess is that these are US Navy torpedo bombers, possibly Douglas Devastators? Would love to know for certain what planes these are.

Thanks and a happy Fourth to you all!

Ted

Click to expand...

These are North American SNJ-3s. SNJ-4s would look similar, but the rear monocoque of the fuselage would be plywood and not shiny.

 

• Jul 6, 2020

• Thread starter
• #8

teddy1066

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2

1

Jul 4, 2020

Thanks a lot to all of you for your expertise identifying this aircraft. My friend really appreciated it!

 

• Jul 9, 2020

• #9

M

monstrok

Recruit

3

4

Jun 23, 2014

Seattle

teddy1066 said:

A friend's grandfather is one of the pilots in this photo. He was a US naval aviator in WWII and was shot down and a Japanese POW in the Phillipines until liberation.

My best guess is that these are US Navy torpedo bombers, possibly Douglas Devastators? Would love to know for certain what planes these are.

Thanks and a happy Fourth to you all!

Ted

Click to expand...

Macharvard is correct, these are US Navy North American SNJ-3 advanced trainers. Though not a catchy name, SNJ stands for Scout-Trainer (SN) North American (J).

 

• Jul 9, 2020

• #10

S

strider190

Airman

31

19

Oct 30, 2019

Come on guys, the're AT 6 Texans, the Navy designation was SJN Harvard . Thats an advanced trainer for the unwashed.

 

• Jul 9, 2020

• #11

GrauGeist

Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung

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22,526

Aug 29, 2008

Redding, California

www.netallurgy.com

The NJ/SNJ was often referred to as a "Texan" by the USN, but never a "Harvard".

The NA-16-1 was trailled and purchased by the RAF, who gave it the "Harvard" designation.

 

• Jul 10, 2020

• #12

M

MACHIA

Airman

28

2

Jul 27, 2013

New Jersey

It's an AT-6. Naval designation SNJ. It was a trainer and was not called a Harvard by the Americans, but by the British.