VH-MEO     

During the early 1960s the United States Tactical Air Command (TAC) was directed to develop a counter-insurgency (COIN) force tailored to train friendly air forces to fight in limited wars against guerrilla forces. As a result of this directive TAC began evaluating existing aircraft types to find an available and inexpensive aircraft that could be modified for use as a COIN aircraft.

This decision resulted in the T-28D which was basically a rebuilt T-28A with a more powerful engine and strengthened wings. The T-28D was powered by a 1425hp Wright Cyclone R-1820-56S nine cylinder air cooled radial engine, driving a three blade Hamilton Standard propeller. To allow the T-28D to perform in its intended role of tactical fighter-bomber, the wings were strengthened to enable the aircraft to carry a variety of under wing stores up to 4,000 pounds.

Between early 1961 to late 1969, North America received a total of thirteen production contracts covering conversion of a total of 321 T-28As to the T-28D configuration.

The first T-28Ds to see action were assigned to the 4400 Combat Crew Training Squadron (CCTS). In October 1961 President Kennedy authorised deployment of a detachment from the 4400 CCTS to Vietnam under the code name Farm Gate. The detachment was to train South Vietnamese pilots in the T-28 and was authorised to fly combat missions, providing there was a South Vietnamese national in the rear cockpit.

The South Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF) found the T-28D to be well suited to their needs. The short field performance and ease of maintenance made the Trojan ideally suited for forward basing in small detachments, allowing a rapid response to enemy activities. The T-28D served with the VNAF until the increasing anti-aircraft capabilities of the Viet Cong made it necessary to replace the Trojan with a more powerful and faster fighter bomber.

After its withdrawal from combat in Vietnam during 1964, T-28Ds continued to serve with the USAF in Thailand until 1972. T-28Ds were assigned to the 60th Special Operations Squadron (SOS), 56th Special Operations Wing in the fighter-bomber role flying missions over Laos and Cambodia. T-28Ds were also supplied to the air forces of Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.

The T-28D proved itself in combat to be an excellent gun and bomb platform, and was able to withstand a surprising amount of battle damage. The Trojan was well liked equally by its pilots and hard working ground crews. As in all previous T-28s, maintenance crews appreciated the fact that the T-28 was rugged, easy to maintain and required very few maintenance hours per flight hour.

This aircraft served with the Royal Laotion Air Force from the last 1960's till Loas was overrun in 1975. Along with sixteen other Trojans it sat on the airstrip in Laos until being brought to Australia (along with the other sixteen aircraft) in 1988 and restored to its present condition by the aircraft owner Keith Death and his team of wizards in Albury.

This T-28D Trojan is kindly on loan to the Museum from Keith Death and is often flown during Museum flying days.