North American NA-50 Restoration

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n33d4sp33d_85
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North American NA-50 Restoration

Post by n33d4sp33d_85 » Wed Jan 22, 2020 1:27 am

North American NA-50 "Torito" restoration in Peru

The restoration to flying status of the world’s only surviving North American NA-50 "Torito" (Spanish slang for "little bull") is an amazing project. The single seat fighter aircraft is based on the North American T-6 Texan, but with a shorter fuselage and shorter wings.

Peru purchased seven NA-50s from the USA in 1939. The unique survivor with code "41-3/3-41" (c/n 251) has been sitting on a pedestal at Las Palmas Air Force Base (Peru) for more than 50 years. This aircraft is the pride of the Fuerza Aérea del Perú (FAP, Peruvian Air Force) and a national historic treasure. The project to restore it, is a joint effort of the Peruvian Air Force and many other Peruvian organisations with the support of the (American) Experimental Aircraft Association EAA, through its Chapter 1572 in Lima, Peru. The goal is to bring the last NA-50 back to airworthy condition and have it ready before the celebrations of the Bicentennial of Peru’s Independence in 2021.

The NA-50 was powered by an 870 hp Wright R-1820-G3 Cyclone engine driving a three-bladed constant-speed propeller, and the armament comprised of two 0.30 inch (7.62 mm) Colt machine guns in the cowling and provisions for 550 lb (249 kg) of bombs. The fuselage construction was of metal, and the 170 gal (644 liter) of fuel was carried in integral tanks. Ring and bead sights were fitted ahead of the cockpit.

Nicknamed "Torito", the NA-50 saw brief operational service in 1941 when the Cuerpo de Aeronautica del Peru, as the Fuerza Aerea Peruano was then known, came into action against Ecuador. The last NA-50 was withdrawn in 1961. The sole remaining aircraft was kept and put on a pedestal at Las Palmas as a memorial to Teniente (Lieutenant) Jose Quiñones. Quiñones lost his life on 23 July 1941, after being hit by Ecuadorian anti-aircraft fire. The engine of his aircraft stopped running and Quino crashed his bomb-laden aircraft right into the anti-aircraft gun battery position.
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