The North American T-28B Trojan was a military trainer aircraft used by the United States Navy and Marine Corps from the 1950s to the early 1980s. The aircraft was designed as a two-seat, low-wing monoplane with a tricycle landing gear. It was a reliable and rugged aircraft, and it served in both the training and combat roles. The T-28B was the most widely used version of the T-28 series.
History of the T-28B Trojan
The T-28B was developed from the earlier T-28A model, which was developed by North American Aviation in the 1950s. The T-28A was initially used as a trainer aircraft by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, but it soon proved to be too small and underpowered for the training role. The T-28B was developed to address these shortcomings. It featured a more powerful engine, a larger wing, and a longer fuselage. The T-28B was first used in the training role in 1956, and it quickly became a popular aircraft among Naval aviators.
The T-28B was also used as a light attack aircraft in the Vietnam War, where it was used for close air support, ground attack, and reconnaissance missions. The T-28B was eventually replaced in the training role by the T-2 Buckeye in the early 1980s.
Characteristics of the T-28B Trojan
The T-28B was powered by a 1,425 horsepower Wright R-1820-86 nine-cylinder radial engine. It had a maximum speed of 370 mph, a range of 1,100 miles, and a service ceiling of 25,000 feet. The aircraft was armed with two .50 caliber machine guns and could carry up to 2,000 pounds of bombs or rockets.
The T-28B had a wingspan of 39 feet and a length of 33 feet. It had a maximum takeoff weight of 8,000 pounds, and it was capable of carrying up to four passengers.
The North American T-28B Trojan was a reliable and rugged aircraft that served in both the training and combat roles. It was powered by a 1,425 horsepower engine, had a maximum speed of 370 mph, and was capable of carrying up to 2,000 pounds of bombs or rockets. The aircraft was eventually replaced in the training role by the T-2 Buckeye in the early 1980s.
The North American T-28b “Trojan” is an aircraft that has been a part of United States military aviation history for many decades. First entering service in 1950, the T-28b served with distinction in the Korean War, and continued to serve in the US military for nearly a quarter of a century.
The T-28b was the ultimate version of the original T-28 “Trojan” design, and featured the most powerful version of the Wright R-1820 radial engine ever installed in a North American-designed aircraft. Capable of generating 1,400 horsepower, the engine gave the T-28b impressive performance and maneuverability. Its rugged construction also made it perfect for operations in the combat environments of the Korean War and beyond.
The T-28b was primarily used as a trainer aircraft, where its impressive flying qualities made it well-suited to teaching new pilots the fundamentals of aeronautics. However, the aircraft was also employed in a light attack role, where its armament of four .50 caliber machine guns and up to 1,000 pounds of bombs or rockets could be put to effective use. The aircraft also found use in a variety of other roles, including electronic warfare and target towing, and even search and rescue in some cases.
The T-28b was a versatile and dependable aircraft that served with courage and distinction in service to the United States. Although it is now out of service, the aircraft remains an important part of US military aviation history, and has earned its place in history as one of the most successful aircraft of its day.
