The T-28
A brief history

The T-28 was born out of a need by the Air Force to replace its aging AT6 trainer. The design competition ultimately produced the T-28A and was built by North American Aviation. North American had already proven it's self with airplanes such as the B-25, the AT6 and the illustrious P-51. The first T-28A began service in April of 1950. The Air Force retired all but a handful of its T-28A's by 1956 as they moved to an all jet training syllabus. The T-28A was powered by a Wright R-1300-1 seven cylinder radial engine and produced 800 horsepower. The Air Force T-28A also used a 2 blade prop. They purchased a total of 1194 T-28A's given their service life of just 7 years it appears as though they hardly got their money's worth. There was a brief attempt by the Air Force to build a turbo prop version of the T-28, the YAT-28. The first one crashed and subsequently they ordered two more. The program was however dropped after only three being built. Only one still exists today, and is in a stage of restoration, owned by CJ Aircraft Sales at Oxnard Airport in California.

The Navy also sorely in need of replacing its SNJ trainer, the Navy's version of the AT6 ordered two T-28A's for evaluation in 1952. In typical fashion the Navy demanded a more robust and more powerful aircraft. Thus was born the T-28B. The first T-28B was delivered to the Navy April 6 1953, it incorporated a 9 cylinder Lycoming developing 1425 horsepower. It also included a speed brake and a 3 blade constant speed propeller. The Navy took delivery of a total of 489 T-28B's.

The color scheme used by the Navy from 1953 to 1960 was basically chrome yellow (see paint) as its predecessor the SNJ and its predecessor the N3N & PT-17. Post war flight training by the Navy was fragmented and various segments of the training syllabus were at different Naval Air Stations throughout the country. A number of variations of chrome yellow paint scheme were present at different training commands.

The T-28 first appeared at Whiting Field in 1956 to augment basic flight training in the T-34. In the same year the T-34's began their transfer to Saufley Field. By 1957 all training aircraft at Whiting Field were T-28's. The training squadron designations from 1956 to 1960 were BTG-2 (Basic Training Group), BTG-3, and BTG-6. By the end of 1957 the tail codes for these squadrons were 2G, 2W, and 2P respectively. On February 12, 1959 the Navy officially changed the color scheme of all training aircraft to a basic white and red trim (see paint) on the horizontal stabilizer, cowl area and wings. This fundamental color scheme still exists today. One thing for certain is that in the life of a single T-28 Bureau Number it underwent many paint and marking changes during its service life. (See profile page)

Both VT-2 and VT-3 often placed its squadron patch on the cowl of the aircraft. As seen below in this photo of a late 60s early 70s view of a VT-3 aircraft.

On September 19, 1955 first flight of a T-28C was made. This was a carrier capable version and had a tail hook, stronger landing gear and a shorter, wider prop. The Navy purchased a total of 299 T-28C's most of which went to squadrons whose mission was Carrier qualifications such as VT-5. The T-28 was not used very long as a Carrier qualification aircraft and subsequently the tail hooks were wired up and they were sent to Whiting Field to augment the existing fleet of basic trainers. It was not uncommon to see a T-28C with a T-28B prop on it as the smaller prop was intended for Carrier use and the Carrier capability had been disabled.

In 1960 the naval flight training program saw a major reorganization in naval aviation flight training. On 1 May 1960, BTG-2 (Basic Training Group), BTG-3, and BTG-6 were re-designated VT-2, VT-3, and VT-6 respectively, the tail codes remained 2G, 2W, and 2P respectively. VT-2 and VT-6 were located at North Field; VT-3 at South Field. By the end of 1960 over 50% of all T-28B's and C's purchased by the Navy (489+299) were located at Whiting Field, by far the single largest concentration of T-28's. The balance were scattered all over the US at various Naval Air Stations.

The historic significance of the above information to the modeler is to identify the paint scheme, tail codes, and squadrons utilized on the T-28. There seems to be an incessant desire to produce models with a unique color schemes. In so doing the most common color schemes and markings become the most uncommon. While many of the rare color schemes and markings of some of the more obscure squadrons might be appealing, focusing on the more common may well serve the modeler well by providing more availability of documentation.

Since scale model aircraft judging is not based on the accuracy to the real airplane but to the documentation supplied to the judge, considerable authenticity can be lost. It is unfortunate that in scale competition there is not a class that is judged as most accurate to the actual aircraft as opposed to self made documentation.

Since this site is dedicated to Hal H and this is a history of the T-28, what could be more fitting than this picture taken in 1957 at South Whiting Field of Hal H sitting in 302, Bureau Number 138116