‘Erg’s Airplane’
Erg Murray’s airplane was an AT-6 nicknamed the “Texan.” It was an “advanced trainer” used before and during WWII. Erg’s model was an AT-6G that used a 650hp Pratt & Whitney, a 9 cylinder radial engine instead of the earlier 450hp. Erg’s N9644C was used in the Korean War and the leading edge 50 caliber holes were riveted over with aluminum sheetmetal. Purchased from military surplus, Erg bought his 44C from a pilot in N.Y. for $1100, a lot of money in 1962. The N.Y. owner flew past the local airport but returned to spiral down with only 25 gallons of fuel. Seems enough, but the 650 ate 35 gallons an hour.