North American XT-28 Trojan

North American Aviation · United States · first flew 1949 · light aircraft

The XT-28 Trojan was the prototype designation for what became the North American T-28 Trojan, a primary trainer selected to replace the T-6 Texan in USAF and US Navy service.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — WingsLow-mounted, tapered
E — Engines1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage10.06 m fuselage
T — TailConventional

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Spot it by:

Round-nosed low-wing monoplane with a large radial engine, tandem cockpits under a long greenhouse canopy, and a tricycle undercarriage; larger and cleaner than the T-6 it replaced.

Specifications

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

North American Aviation flew the XT-28 prototype in 1949 in response to a USAF requirement for a modern piston trainer with tricycle undercarriage. The design impressed evaluators and was ordered into production as the T-28A. The Trojan went on to serve in large numbers and was later adapted for combat in the counterinsurgency role as the T-28D.

Variants

The XT-28 prototype led directly to the T-28A for the USAF, the T-28B and T-28C for the US Navy with a more powerful Wright R-1820, and the armed T-28D Nomad for counterinsurgency operations.

Where you'll see it

As the prototype, the XT-28 itself did not serve operationally; production T-28s served with the USAF, US Navy, and numerous allied air forces worldwide.

Related aircraft

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