NORTH AMERICAN T-28C TROJAN

NORTH AMERICAN T-28C TROJAN

This design, the winner of a USAF competition in 1948 for a new trainer, bridged the gap between the early primary trainers of much lower power and the ab initio jet trainers then in use. On introduction, it was the most powerful aircraft used for primary training and was adopted by both the USAF and the US Navy. The T-28C variant had deck landing arrester gear for training purposes. A total of 1,948 were built. Surplus T-28s were adapted for ground attack duties and the T-28D variant then evolved for service by the US in South Vietnam and the Congo. An aircraft similar to the D Variant was built by Sud Aviation in France and called the Fennec; some served with the Argentine Navy.

146289

Having served with the US Navy from October 1957 for three years at the Naval Air Base Training Command at Pensacola, it moved to the Bureau of Naval Weapons at Columbus, Ohio, to serve with training squadron VT-5 at Saufley Field for pilot deck-landing training on the USS Lexington; it served finally with VT-3. Struck off charge in 1964 it went to the Congo Air Force in Leopoldville and acquired the serial FA-289 for use in the light attack role in the Congo war under the auspices of the CIA. When the Republic of Congo became Zaire, it was re-designated an AT-28C attack trainer and given the serial FG-289 but declared surplus in 1977. Bought privately, it was dismantled after force landing at Limoges in France during the ferry flight to the US; the fuselage eventually ended up in an East Ham garden. In May 1981 the aircraft was acquired by the Museum. During repainting, eight sets of insignia were found: two US Navy; four Congo A F; one Zaire A F and the US Ferry registration.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

  • Year Built: 1957
  • Manufacturer: North American Aviation Inc
  • Purpose: Basic trainer and light ground attack
  • Crew: 2
  • Engine: Wright R-1820-56S piston engine of 1,425hp
  • Armament: Two .50in machine gun packs with under-wing bombs, rockets
  • Maximum Speed: 380mph (611kph)
  • Range: 500+ miles (805km)
  • Wing Span: 40ft 7in (12.38m)
  • Length: 32ft lOin (to.Om)
  • Height: 12ft 8in (3.78m)
  • Gross Weight: 8,4951b (3,853kg)

Images of the T-28C Trojan (November 2018)