Watch: Rare WWII Plane Ends Up at Pawn Shop

A Vintage Trainer on the Market

When a pawn shop team heard about a World War II aircraft for sale, curiosity led them to check it out. The plane was a 1942 North American AT-6 Texan, once used as a gunnery trainer and later in the Korean War. The owner explained he wanted to sell it to help build a house, asking $185,000. He proudly pointed out that the Texan had a newly overhauled engine, producing 650 horsepower, and could cruise at 200 miles per hour. With its rugged design, even ground accidents gave pilots some protection, thanks to its strong roll cage structure.

The AT-6 Texan carried special importance in history. It had been the primary trainer for thousands of pilots, including the Tuskegee Airmen in Alabama. With dual controls, instructors sat in the rear while students flew from the front. It was designed so that lessons could happen in real time, from throttle work to handling the rudder pedals. The plane even carried a mounted machine gun, used to prepare airmen for combat.

A Test Flight with a Veteran Pilot

To help evaluate the aircraft, the shop brought in a Marine Corps F-18 pilot with years of service, including experience as a Navy Blue Angel. After checking the cockpit and logbooks, he took the Texan into the air. The test flight included aerobatics—loops and barrel rolls—which showed the plane’s agility despite its age. He praised the restoration, saying it flew better than expected.

The negotiation, however, proved difficult. The owner sought $165,000 at minimum, while the shop offered $140,000, citing storage and upkeep costs of nearly $1,000 a month. Though they came close at $145,000, no final deal was made that day. Still, the meeting highlighted the heritage of a plane once used to prepare pilots for war, now sitting in a civilian market.

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