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Article by Nicole VanNatter, Air Force Museum
Public Affairs, in the Skywriter,
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH.
The U.S. Air Force Museum added another piece of history when the North American T-6D "Mosquito" and tactical air control party Jeep went on display, broadening the museum collection of more than 300 display aircraft and missiles.
Air Force veteran, former T-6 pilot and Mosquito Association member Orville Long spoke about his own combat missions in the highlighted aircraft.
"The 6147th Tactical Control Group was the first and only Air Force unit to take the T-6 into combat and give the airplane its baptism of fire," Long said. "The T-6 proved its worth and the fact it could sustain considerable damage from ground fire, and still fly," he said.
Originally known as the Texan, the T-6 was the sole single-engine advanced trainer for the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.
The T-6D Mosquito on display flew with the 6147th Tactical Air Control Group during the first two years of the Korean War. It was converted to a mosquito-spraying aircraft in 1952, and two years later transferred to Korea’s Air Force.
After retiring the aircraft, the Korean air force placed it on display outside for several years. The U.S. Air Force Museum acquired it for restoration in 1995.
Museum staff finished restoring the aircraft in June.
"We are pleased and excited about the T-6s successful restoration, said retired Maj. Gen. Charles Metcalf, director of the Air Force Museum.
"It is a great honor to showcase such a rare and instrumental Korean War aircraft, which tell an unknown story of bravery," he said.
In addition to the Mosquito, a tactical air control party radio Jeep is part of the exhibit.
Mosquito Association members restored, fitted with radio equipment and donated the Jeep on display to the museum.
"Mosquito Association members did a fantastic job of restoring the Jeep to its original condition" said Metcalf."We are grateful for the time dedicated to creating a final product of which and veterans can be proud," he said.
TACP's original mission was to directly control air strikes at the front line, but they developed a new and important mission as the Korean War progressed.TACPs became communication links between ground commanders, airborne Mosquito forward air controllers and strike aircraft.
"In order to tell the complete story of the 6147th Operation in Korea, it was necessary to have a radio jeep for display along with the T-6," Long said.
Gen. Metcalf and the museum staff have paid the Mosquito Association members and Korean War veterans an honor and special recognition by having the roll-out of the T-6 and presentation of the World War II Willy’s TACP Jeep."
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