Roden 451 North American T-28C Trojan 1:48

In 1946 the North American firm offered the XSN2J project to the Navy, which had to replace the SNJ (the Navy's name for the T-6). A year later, the Air Force also decided to replace the T-6, and North American quickly modified a prototype to the army specification, becoming the T-28. The first test flights took place in September 1949 and their results more than satisfied the military. North American received an order for 266 machines, designated the T-28A Trojan. The airplane had a classic tandem seating arrangement, a large cockpit with an excellent view, and could carry a variety of ordnance on the pylons under the wings if required. The airplane appeared so successful, that the North American firm soon brought additional manufacturing plants on stream. By the mid 1950's almost 1,200 T-28A's were produced.At this time the American military felt an urgent need for an airplane that could be delivered to 'friendly' countries, and whose production would not require substantial expenditure. The T-28A was already considered out-of-date for the air arms of its own country at the beginning of 1961, but was the most suitable for that requirement. It had a more powerful (1425 hp) R-1820-56S engine, and the wing was strengthened to enable it to carry up to 4,000 pounds gross weight. In underwing pods were set two 0,5 caliber machine guns with 1,000 rounds ammunition each, while it was possible to suspend bombs on six underwing pylons; or rockets, napalm containers, and other ordnance. The increased take off weight included the mounting of 177-gallon underwing fuel tanks. Sights were installed in the cockpit, and also the airframe was toughened up, with armor protection for the crew in the most vulnerable areas.

All these modifications, certainly, affected the flying performance of the T-28, however as a light strike aircraft it proved to be quite a successful machine. North American converted more than 300 T-28A into the new T-28D in total. As had been planned, these airplanes were soon re-equipping satellite countries of the USA in South-East Asia. The T-28D took part in the Vietnam War on the side of South Vietnam, and later they were used by the Air Forces of Cambodia, Philippines and Thailand, typically in operations against insurgents inside the country.