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| The T-28 was originally designed to replace the T-6 trainer. It was first flown on Sept. 24, 1949, and entered production in 1950. The USAF version (T-28A) was powered by an 800-hp engine, whereas the later U.S. Navy versions (T-28B and C) were powered by a 1,425-hp engine. When production ended in 1957, a total of 1,948 of these three versions had been built. A few Navy T-28Bs eventually went into the Air Force inventory and a few others were turned over to the U.S. Army.
In 1962 the Air Force began a program to modify more than 200 T-28As as T-28D Nomad tactical fighter-bombers for counter-insurgency warfare in Vietnam. Equipped with the larger 1,425-hp engines and many other changes, the T-28Ds eventually proved to be an effective close air support weapon against enemy ground forces. The South Vietnamese Air Force used a number of USAF-supplied T-28Bs in a similar role until the Ds became available. SPECIFICATIONS: Span: 40 ft. 7 in. Length: 32 ft. 6 in. Height: 12 ft. 7 in. Armament: Two .50 cal. guns, plus 1,800 lbs. of bombs or rockets, all carried externally Engine: One Wright R-1820 of 1,425 hp Crew: Two Cost: $142,000 PERFORMANCE: Maximum speed: 346 mph Cruising speed: 230 mph Range: 1,060 miles Service ceiling: 37,000 ft. |
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| Bibliography: National Museum of the USAF |