Beechcraft® T-6a Texan II, 8th Flying Training Squadron Eight Ball, Mahogany Scale Model

Beechcraft® T-6a Texan II, 8th Flying Training Squadron Eight Ball Pilots!  Solo again with the 8th Flying Training Squadron Eight Ball in the Beechcraft T-6a Texan II- a first for many an Air Force Aviator.  This model is a must-have for any USAF pilot and makes the perfect gift after soloing! Length - 16 inches; Width - 16 inches Made from Mahogany US Naval Aviator Owned Business Officially Licensed by Beechcraft The product is not intended to be used by children 12 years and younger   BEECHCRAFT®, emblems, logos, and body designs are trademarks of Textron Aviation Inc. and are used under license by Squadron Nostalgia LLC. History Activated in early 194 under Fourth Air Force; after a brief organizational period in Southern California where it was equipped with reconnaissance P-38 Lightnings (F-4) it deployed to the Southwest Pacific Area (SPA), being assigned to Fifth Air Force in Australia. Engaged in long-range tactical reconnaissance missions over New Guinea; later the Dutch East Indies and in late 1944, over the Philippines in support of Mac Arthur's Island-Hopping campaign (1942–1945). After the Japanese capitulation in August 1945, became part of the Army of Occupation in Japan. It was not operational between April 1946 and July 1947. From 1947–1949 flew photographic mapping missions over Japan, Korea, Philippines and other areas of western Pacific.[3][4] During the Korean War, the squadron flew tactical reconnaissance sorties over North and South Korea from, 29 June 1950 – 24 February 1951. The 8th has conducted undergraduate pilot training for active duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and selected foreign allies since 1 November 1972.[1] Since the mid-1990s, the squadron has also conducted joint primary flight training for selected US Navy and US Marine Corps student naval aviators, with command of the squadron alternating between Air Force officers in the rank of lieutenant colonel and Navy officers in the ranks of commander. - wiki