Gate guard at Gando. Really E.16-107.

Ex USAF 49-2983, French Air Force 92983, Moroccan Air Force Y61501, Tunesian Air Force Y61-501. It never served in Canada so the markings in this photo are very nice but totally fake (except for the serial on the fin). This aircraft is one of six Texans recovered from Tunesia by Didier Chable and brought to France in the mid 1980s. Restoration of this Texan started in the 1990s, and it was first registered as F-AZVN in 2001.

One of several Harvards converted by Jean-Baptiste Salis into A6M Zero or NA-68 replicas. This one started life as USAAF AT-6C 42-84227, converted to T-6G 51-14367 in the early 1950s, then to the French AF in 1957 as 114367. AJBS acquired it in 1978, and it was registered to them as F-AZBK on 1 Dec 1982. In 1987 it became F-WZBK, for conversion into a A6M Zero replica for use in the movie "Empire of the Sun" (with new "c/n" SAM2-367). Reverted to F-AZBK in 1989. In 1992 it was again converted, now to the NA-68 replica seen in this photo. On 2 Dec 1992 it was falsely registered as "North American NA-68" F-AZHD, with new "c/n" SA-30. In fact only one real NA-68 survives worldwide (N840 c/n 68-3061).

From Aug 1980 until the early 1990s, Harvard F-AZBE was c/n 88-12127. But in 1993 that airframe was rebuilt as an NA-68 replica with new "c/n" SA-31, and the registration F-AZBE was given to one of Salis's other Harvards (c/n 88-12304). This aircraft originally was US Navy 27268 and became N7403C in 1954, then to the Spanish AF as C.6-180 later that year. Damaged in Mar 1977 and withdrawn from use. Acquired by Jean-Baptiste Salis in Jan 1979. Kept in storage until the early 1990s, when it was restored in these nice USAF markings with fake serial. It was officially registered as F-AZBE on 2 Mar 1993, unfortunately still under the old and now incorrect c/n 88-12127. It is in fact c/n 88-12304.

Not a real Zero, but a converted AT-6 Harvard. Originally allocated USAAF 41-33606 and RAF EX633, it was shipped directly to South Africa as 7349 in 1941, before going to the RAF in 1946. To Belgium as H-29 in Feb 1947, then sold to Air France in Jun 1959 as F-BJBI. Registration changed to F-WJBI in 1969. Acquired by Jean-Baptiste Salis in Jan 1979 and registered to him as F-AZBE in Aug 1980. Flew as French Navy "41.F.4" and US Navy "RM-27" and "V808/18A". Rebuilt in 1993 as an NA-68 replica and registered as F-AZHE on 7 May 1993 with new "c/n" SA-31. Flew as French Navy 79411 / 11.F.20 and later as 14.F.7. Restored in 2008 as the A6M Zero replica seen here, and registered as F-AZZM on 29 May 2008, now with new "c/n" SA-32.

Ex 51-14456 with the USAF and then French AF, to Spanish AF as E.16-191 / 793-24. Held by the Museo del Aire for some time, until traded with the Association pour la Préservation des Avions Historiques for an MS.733 Alcyon and registered as F-AZCV in March 1984. Restored to flying condition in the late 1980s and has flown on the warbird circuit ever since.

Later operated as warbird N455WA.

Ex N6551D, seen here fitted with a Wright R-1820 Cyclone engine, cowling and prop from a Douglas SBD. It was later refitted with the standard Pratt and Whitney R-1340 Wasp.

Later operated as a warbird.

Previous reg E71. Fake reg E45

VH-HAR still in the RNZAF markings it wore at the end of its service. Since given WW2 camouflage and roundels. Tony Arbon photo

The T-6G is a postwar remanufactured AT-6, most of which were eventually redelivered to other countries. This one is c/n 168-160, ex USAF 49-3056, Spanish AF C.6-188. It came to France in 1998.

Built by Noorduyn in Canada. Operated for many years by the A&AEE at Boscombe Down as a photographic and chase aircraft. Crashed on 22 February 1982.

On static display at El Centro