The first T-28 made it's initial flight on Sept. 24, 1949. Designed as a replacement for the T-6 trainer, the "Trojan" went into production in 1950. The USAF version (T-28A) was powered by an 800 HP Wright R-1300 radial engine, whereas later US Navy versions (T-28B and C) were powered by the 1,425 HP Wright R-1820 radial engines. When production ended in 1957, a total of 1,948 aircraft in the three versions had been built.
T-28A landings movie clip from 1971 at Keesler AFB
T-28D on a Close Air Support Mission
In 1962 the USAF began a program to modify a large number of T-28s as Tactical Fighter-Bombers for counterinsurgency warfare in Southeast Asia. Equipped with the larger engine, these aircraft, designated as T-28Ds, proved to be an effective weapon in Close Air Support (CAS) missions.
T-28D movie clip from 1973 in Southeast Asia
T-28A at Hangar 25 Air Museum
The maximum speed of the T-28A is 288 MPH, and the service ceiling is over 29,000 feet. The T-28A on display was flown to the Air Museum in April 2003, and is fully operational. The aircraft is on loan to the Museum from Russell and Joy Madden of Denton, Texas.
