North American T-28 Trojan

The North American T‑28 Trojan, built by North American Aviation beginning in 1949, became one of the most versatile trainer aircraft of the post‑World‑II era. Originally designed to replace the older AT‑6 Texan, the T‑28 entered service with the United States Air Force and Navy as a basic trainer, offering a robust airframe, a 1,425‑horsepower Wright R‑1820 radial engine, and a low‑wing configuration that provided stable handling for novice pilots. Over its production run of more than 5,000 airframes, the aircraft evolved through several variants, including the T‑28A and T‑28B trainers, the T‑28C armed counter‑insurgency model equipped with machine guns and rockets, and the naval T‑28D with strengthened landing gear for carrier operations. Its straightforward maintenance, forgiving flight characteristics, and capacity to carry weapons made it a backbone for pilot instruction, light attack, and even civilian aerobatics worldwide. The Trojan's service extended into the 1970s, influencing subsequent trainer designs and cementing North American Aviation’s reputation for reliable, adaptable aircraft. Today, restored T‑28s continue to appear at air shows, reminding enthusiasts of the model’s lasting impact on military and civilian aviation training.

North American Aviation

North American T-28 Trojan

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