North American T-2C Buckeye
North American · United States · first flew 1958 · light aircraft
The North American T-2 Buckeye is a twin-jet carrier-capable trainer used by the US Navy to qualify pilots for carrier operations, serving from 1959 to 2008.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 11.67 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-jet US Navy carrier trainer
- Straight mid-wing with tip tanks
- Tandem cockpit for carrier qualification training
A mid-wing straight-wing jet with twin engines fed by fuselage-side intakes, tip tanks on the wings, tandem cockpit, and arresting hook for carrier qualification.
Specifications
- The North American T-2C Buckeye has a length of 11.67 m (38 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.62 m (38 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 846 km/h (526 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in January 1958, the T-2 Buckeye replaced the T-1 SeaStar and became the Navy's primary jet trainer. The T-2C variant introduced two General Electric J85 turbojets replacing the single Westinghouse J34 of the T-2A.
Variants
The T-2A had a single J34; the T-2B two P&W J60s; the T-2C two GE J85s (most numerous); Venezuela also operated the type.
Where you'll see it
The US Navy operated T-2C Buckeyes from 1969 to 2008, when they were replaced by the T-45 Goshawk for advanced jet and carrier training.
Related aircraft
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