EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016: Warbirds - Twin Radial Trainers

Fred Harl and Carmelo Turdo

The Aero Experience coverage of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016 warbirds continues with two more types of twin radial-powered warbirds: Beech AT-11 Kansan and Cessna T-50 "Bamboo Bomber."   

Though similar to the previous Beech 18/C-45 family, the AT-11/SNB-1 Kansan featured the transparent nose for training bombardiers, navigators and gunners.  Very few of the over 1500 made survive, many taking on post-war aerial survey and firebomber roles.  Tantalizing Takeoff is the 50th built and delivered in August of 1941.  It was stationed at Victorville Army Air Force Base, CA for most of World War II and has been with the current owners in Georgia since 2011.   

The Cessna T-50 Bobcat was the outgrowth of Cessna's bid for a 5-seat commercial transport prior to World War II.  The T-50 found a niche as a twin-engine pilot trainer in Canada and as the AT-8 in the U.S. Army Air Corps.  Also, nearly 1300 were produced as AT-17/UC-78 transport/liaison aircraft for intra-theater work in all areas of conflict during World War II.  The aircraft were rendered post-war surplus, and many did not survive due to their wood construction, hence the nickname "Bamboo Bomber."  Class of '43 represents a late war configuration.