CAF Gulf Coast Wing’s SNJ, a WWII-era advanced trainer built in Dallas in 1943, continues to fly and educate new generations thanks to the support of the public and the CAF’s annual 12 Planes of Christmas campaign.
HOUSTON, Texas (Dec. 1, 2025) — The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Gulf Coast Wing announced today that its historic T-6 Texan/SNJ aircraft will once again take part in the CAF’s 12 Planes of Christmas campaign. The campaign is an annual fundraising initiative that helps preserve and maintain the nation’s fleet of flying World War II aircraft.
Thanks in part to generous supporters during previous campaigns, the Gulf Coast Wing’s SNJ has been restored with a new engine and modernized with updated radios, avionics, and related equipment. The aircraft has since returned to the skies, taking dozens of passengers on rides and continuing its mission to honor the men and women who served during World War II.
This year, the Gulf Coast Wing is seeking support for one final, critical upgrade: a spare propeller. Even a refurbished propeller can cost more than $35,000, making it one of the most expensive and vital maintenance items for keeping the vintage warbird flight-ready. The Gulf Coast Wing hopes to raise $10,000 to rebuild a previously used propeller.
The SNJ advanced trainer is a true World War II veteran that continues to educate and inspire new generations,” said Nancy Kwiecien, executive officer of the CAF Gulf Coast Wing. “Thanks to our supporters, this aircraft is flying stronger than ever—but we need a spare propeller to ensure she stays in the air. Every contribution helps us keep history alive and helps fulfill our mission to honor, educate, and inspire through flight. And, thanks to a $5,000 matching donation from a dedicated member of the Gulf Coast Wing, donations this December will go twice as far to support the SNJ.”
Manufactured in Dallas in 1943, the Gulf Coast Wing’s SNJ served as an instrument trainer at Pensacola Naval Air Station during World War II. Its green trim reveals its Navy assignment, while its Texas roots tie it to the nation’s wartime industrial legacy. Known as the “pilot maker,” the SNJ (the Navy’s version of the AT-6 Texan) represented the final stage of training before cadets graduated to frontline combat aircraft such as the Corsair, Avenger, or Helldiver.
Today, the SNJ and its companion aircraft, a World War II-era Twin Beech 18, headline the Gulf Coast Wing’s “America Trains for War” program, which showcases the vital role of training aircraft during the war. The SNJ also participates in the CAF’s Living History Flight program, offering members of the public the rare opportunity to experience aerobatic flight in an authentic WWII trainer.
From April through November, the Gulf Coast Wing tours Texas and beyond, appearing at airshows, barnstorming events, flyovers, and educational programs with ROTC units, scout troops, schools, and universities.
The SNJ is one of the most popular aircraft we fly,” Kwiecien added. “With the public’s continued support through 12 Planes of Christmas, she’ll keep sharing the story of America’s wartime aviation, and the people who made it possible, for years to come.”
Over the last decade, CAF’s 12 Planes of Christmas campaign has garnered over $2.8 million in contributions, with last year’s campaign raising more than $500,000. These funds have been instrumental in bringing numerous rare aircraft back to flight, furthering the CAF’s mission to Educate, Inspire, and Honor.
To support the Gulf Coast Wing’s SNJ and contribute to the 12 Planes of Christmas campaign, visit https://fundrazr.com/GulfCoast_SNJ.
About the Commemorative Air Force
Founded in 1957, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and flying historic military aircraft. With more than 185 aircraft—the world’s largest flying collection of WWII-era warbirds—the CAF honors the legacy of the men and women who built, maintained, and flew them. Learn more at www.commemorativeairforce.org.
