Warbird Information Exchange

T-2 Buckeyes To Retire

The only U.S. base still using T-2 Buckeye aircraft, Pensacola NAS, will put that distinction to rest with a ceremony to take place in early August as the base makes way for the new T-45 Goshawk. The T-2 saw its 50th anniversary as an active military aircraft pass on Jan. 31. It made its first showing at Pensacola in November of 1959, nearly a year after its introduction, and proved its staying power long after. The aircraft was used to teach air-to-air techniques and train airmen to drop munitions while preparing the pilots for jets. Pensacola instructors and maintenance crew will be trained in Meridian, Miss., to tangle with the Goshawk, which offers contemporary avionics and technology similar to modern fighter jets. New pilots may welcome the change. Older ones may wonder if the Goshawk can possibly outlast the T-2 ... or if they can soon find a Buckeye on eBay.

One of my most distinct childhoot memories is of a T-2 crashing within
a couple of hundred yards from our school when I was in the seventh
grade. I still have fragments of it and it still sends chills up my spine.

The T-2's at Pensacola are used in a joint Navy/AF training program for navigator/ECM candidates. These guys are training for the EA6B and for the new EF-18G Growler. They also use T-39s over there. There are 20 T-2's left in the Navy inventory.

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"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass..."
Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto

The T-2 will soon truly become a Warbird, when the last one's leave Navy service. It is a fairly interesting jet trainer in my opinion, and hopefully we will see a few more on the flying warbird circuit after the final one's are retired.

I'd love to fly a T-2. From guys I know that flew them, they're a fun little jet.

Although the US has retired them, it's not retired elesewhere quite yet - the Hellenic AF is still using them.

http://www.hellas.org/military/air_forc ... /t2e-2.jpg
http://koti.welho.com/msolanak/t2.html

Although they will be replaced as soon as a new trainer is selected.

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Bob

My step-dad flew both the single engine and twin engined version and liked them. He said the T-2A sucked around the boat

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Don't touch my junk!!