AT-6 Texan

The AT-6 advanced trainer was one of the most widely used aircraft in history. Evolving from the BC-1 basic combat trainer ordered in 1937, 15,495 Texans were built between 1938 and 1945. The USAAF procured 10,057 AT-6s; others went to the Navy as SNJs and to more than 30 Allied nations. Most AAF fighter pilots trained in AT-6s prior to graduation from flying school. Many of the "Spitfire" and "Hurricane" pilots in the Battle of Britain trained in Canada in "Harvards," the British version of the AT-6. To comply with neutrality laws, U.S. built Harvards were flown north to the border and were pushed across.

In 1948, Texans still in USAF service were redesignated as T-6s when the AT, BT and PT aircraft designations were abandoned. To meet an urgent need for close air support of ground forces in the Korean Conflict, T-6s flew "mosquito missions" spotting enemy troops and guns and marking them with smoke rockets for attack by fighter-bombers.

Maximum speed: 210 mph.
Cruising speed: 145 mph.
Range: 770 miles
Service Ceiling: 23,200 ft.

T-28 Trojan

The T-28 was originally designed to replace the T-6 trainer. It was first flown on September 24, 1949, and entered production in 1950. The U.S. Air Force version (T-28A) was powered by an 800 hp. engine, whereas the later U.S. Navy versions (T-28B and -C) were powered by a 1,425 hp. engine. When production ended in 1957, a total of 1,948 of these three versions had been built. A few Navy T-28Bs eventually went into the Air Force inventory and a few others were turned over to the U.S. Army.

In 1962, the Air Force began a program to modify more than 200 T-28As as T-28D "Nomad" tactical fighter-bombers for counter-insurgency warfare in Vietnam. Equipped with the larger 1,425 hp. engines and many other changes, the T-28Ds eventually proved to be an effective close air support weapon against enemy ground forces. The South Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF) used a number of USAF-supplied T-28Bs in a similar role until the -Ds became available.

SPECS
Span: 40 ft. 7 in.
Length: 32 ft. 6 in.
Height: 12 ft. 7 in.
Armament: Two .50 cal. guns, plus 1,800 lbs. of bombs or rockets, all carried externally
Engine: One Wright R-1820 of 1,425 hp.
Crew: Two
Cost: $142,000
Maximum speed: 346 mph.
Cruising speed: 230 mph.
Range: 1,060 miles
Service Ceiling: 37,000 ft.