WARBIRDS
NORTH AMERICAN YALE
Europe’s sole airworthy Yale has flown very little since returning to flight in 2006. Darren Harbar tells us how its new owner plans to change that
At first glance, the NA-64 looks like a T-6 Harvard or Texan. In fact, it’s the ‘cousin’ to the more common retractable-gear trainer with both sharing a common ancestor – North American’s NA-16. Fitted with a 450hp Wright R-975 Whirlwind radial engine and two-stage propeller, the NA-64 wasn’t the most dynamic performer given its drag-inducing fixed undercarriage and earlier BT-9 style outer wing. Originally built for the French Armée de l’Air and Aéronavale in early 1940, in batches of 200 and 30 examples respectively, the type became known as the Nord (North). The French designated it the NAA-64-P2 (abbreviated from North American Aviation Model 64, advanced trainer, two seats).
LUFTWAFFE GENIUS
Of those ordered by France, 111 examples had been delivered before the nation surrendered to Germany following the Battle of France in May 1940. The Luftwaffe made good use of the aircraft acquired during the occupation, with the type being used for basic flying training and teaching advanced fighter tactics. Wearing traditional Balkenkr…
