The T-28D "Nomad" were USN T-28B models converted for the COunter-INsurgency (COIN) role for the USAF during the Vietnam War. Various engine fits became available and broader support for air-to-ground weapons was instituted. Some 321 were converted to this standard by Pac-Aero. Another CAS attack-minded for became the "AT-28D" produced by Fairchild, again for service in Vietnam. Six underwing hardpoints were added as well as an ejection seat. Total conversions amounted to seventy-two airframes.
North American converted the T-28D into a COIN model by way of the "YAT-28E" prototype. This entry included a Lycoming YT-55L-9 turboprop engine, twelve underwing hardpoints, and 2 x 12.7mm Heavy Machine Guns (HMGs) in fixed, forward-firing mounts as standard features. Three prototypes were built to the standard with a first flight recorded in February of 1963. However, the model was not adopted and work on the design ended in 1965.
The French Air Force took on a stock of ex-USAF T-28A models as the T-28S/T-28F "Fennec". These were modified in 1959 with cockpit armoring, power-assisted canopy, four underwing hardpoints (for gun pods, rockets, and bombs), and a Wright R-1820-97 supercharged engine of 1,200 horsepower for their new owners and flown as COIN platforms into 1962. These were then later sold off to the Argentine Navy for carrier service as the "T-28P".
The T-28R "Nomair" was a modified, reduced-performance version for civilian flying. The design emerged from a stock of expiring T-28A models from the USAF and carried Wright "Cyclone" R-1820-80 engines and wider wingspans to achieve certification - which was granted in February of 1962.
Its militarized training form was built as the T-28R1 "Nomair I" and featured seating for two in tandem as well as redudant control schemes at both cockpit placements for student and instructor. The Brazilian Navy took on a stock of six aircraft in 1962 and, as such, had to have arrestor hooks installed for shipborne work. These later fell to the Brazilian Air Force before their time in the air ended.
The T-28R-2 "Nomair II" was an interesting conversion model for civilian market use - the fuselage was reworked to a five seat cabin. At least ten airframes were completed.
The "RT-28" became a photo-reconnaissance conversion model for COIN work by the Royal Lao Air Force during the Vietnam War. One T-28 example of the service is known to have defected to North Vietnam and was reused by its new host country - becoming the first fighter of the North Vietnamese Air Force inventory. During the conflict, the Republic of Vietnam Air Force also operated the series as a CAS platform while the USAF claimed a loss of twenty-three T-28s of their own in the war.
Total T-28 production reached 1,948 units and the line was eventually superseded by the turbo-prop powered Beechcraft T-34 "Mentor" in same role (this aircraft detailed elsewhere on this site). These were introduced in 1953 and produced through over 2,300 examples.
The T-28 also went on to form the basis for the Taiwanese "T-CH-1" by AIDC detailed elsewhere on this site. Fifty-two of these were built for the Republic of China Air Force for the trainer role after a first-flight in November of 1973.
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