North American T-28A Fennec
Military Trainer Aircraft

The North American Aviation T-28 Trojan was a trainer designed as a replacement for the North American T-6 Texan for the US Air-force and US Navy. The T-28 Trojan first flew in September 1949. A total of 1,948 T-28 Trojans were built between 1950 and 1957. The last North American Aviation T-28 Trojans to be used operationally were retired in 1994 and were operated by the Philippine Air Force.

It is of note that numerous North American Aviation T-28 Trojan were converted for use as Counter-insurgency (COIN) and Close Air Support (CAS) and were utilised in the Vietnam, Laos, Algeria and Belgian Congo conflicts during the 1960's.

The Fennec (desert fox) was a conversion of ex USAF North American Aviation T-28A trainers, 150 aircraft were modified by Sud-Aviation in France for use by the French army in Algeria and had their engines replaced with more powerful 1425 Hp surplus B-17 bomber engines, they also had armour and weapon pylons added. After their military service many ex USAF North American Aviation T-28 Trojans were converted for civilian use due to their low cost of purchase and maintenance.

North American T-28D Trojan Specifications:

• Crew: Pilot and co-pilot

• Length: 33 ft 0 in (10.06 m)

• Wingspan: 40 ft 1 in (12.22 m)

• Height: 12 ft 8 in (3.86 m)

• Empty weight: 6,424 lb (2,914 kg)

• Maximum takeoff weight: 8,500 lb (10,500 with weapons fitted)

• Engine: Single 1,425 hp (1,063 kW) Wright R-1820-86 Cyclone radial piston engine

• Maximum speed: 343 mph (552 km/h)

• Service ceiling: 39,000 ft (10,820 m)

Armament:

• 2 or 6 wing-mounted pylons capable of carrying bombs, napalm, rockets. machine gun or cannon pods