Mojave Desert Diary...

What kind of aircraft is this?  Is it a North American T-6?  If you are inclined to answer "yes", look very closely at the photograph.  Notice the fixed landing gear and narrow cowling.  This is actually a North American BT-14.  The fuselage consists of the same basic structure as the T-6, but the BT-14 is powered by the Pratt & Whitney R-985 engine, which generates 450 HP.

Both the BT-14 and the T-6 are developments of an earlier fixed-gear training aircraft that was produced by North American.  The aircraft in the photo may be the only airworthy BT-14 in existence.  Prior to its restoration, the aircraft sat on a pole in front of a restaurant in Canada.  It was purchased by a pilot who planned to restore it, but never got around to it.  So, the BT-14 languished in a storage yard until its current owner bought it and actually completed the restoration.  The aircraft is based at Fox Airport in Lancaster, CA.

Photo by Scott Schwartz