North American Aviation won a competition to build a basic trainer that would prepare
pilots in over 50 countries for over 50 years. The design known as the T-6 has a variety
of designations depending on the country that owned them and the model variant. The
USAAC referred to them as AT-6 (Advanced Trainer) while the USN designated them
SNJ. The British Commonwealth countries referred to them as Harvards. In all their
variants there were 15,495 aircraft built.

February 1, 1920 was the official birth-date of the South African Air Force. The No. 1
Squadron came to be early in 1922 at Zwartkop. The official designation of South
African Air Force took place on February 1923.

40 Squadron Motto "Exercitui Oculus" (Eyes of the Army)
In May of 1940 at Waterkloof Air Station 40 Squadron was created as an Army Co-op
Squadron. Their function was to operate as a low level photo reconnaissance squadron
and supply vital information to the ground forces. Their first task was in Kenya flying a
version of the Hawker Hart in support of the 1st South African Division who were battling
the Italians. In 1941 they were re-equipped with Hurricane Mk. Is and eventually Mk. Iis.
Before long the squadron was at Alamein and throughout all of North Africa and on to
Sicily. In 1943 the 40 Squadron was given Spitfire Mk. Vs. After a year or more of
working with the British 8th Army they would now operate with the 5th Army for the
remainder of the Italian Campaign. Even after the Italian Army surrendered the 40th
remained in Northern Italy and eventually into Austria. On October 20, 1945 after years
of being the “eyes of the Army” all their planes were turned over to the RAF and 40
Squadron was disbanded.

In 1953 the 40 Squadron was resurrected at Germiston as an Active Citizen Force (ACF)
and were equipped with with Harvards. Between 1952 and 1956 South Africa purchased
65 AT-6Ds (7634 – 7698) and 30 T-6Gs (7699 – 7728) from the US. In 1965 the
decision was made to move the squadron to CFS (Central Flying School) Dunnotarr
where the Harvard had been in use since 1942. The 40 Squadron continued to use the
Harvards until 1982 when their planes were replaced with Impala aircraft. The new
aircraft meant a move back to AFB Waterkloof and on April 29, 1985 the 40 Squadron
was once again disbanded. The CFS was also moved to Langebaanweg and continued
to operate Harvards until November 1995.

T-6G TEXAN (HARVARD)

Powerplant: 1 x 550 hp P&W R-1340-AN-1 piston engine
Speed: 341kph, 212mph
Range: 1,400km, 870miles
Seats: 2
Length: 9.00m, 29ft 6in
Span: 12.90m, 42.32ft
Empty Weight: 1,886kg, 4,158lb
Max T/O Weight: 2,550kg, 5,617lb
Period of Service with SAAF: 1942 - 1995

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