NORTH AMERICAN T28R-1....Huuuuh?

[O.P.]

My friend asked me about this plane on controller. It doesn't look right. The carb scoop on top of the cowling looks like it's back too far, if it's there at all, and I don't see the exhaust plate. I understand not needing a type rating, the A's were 800hp. But Standard catagory? I went looking around and the closest thing I could find is this..

http://jaddams.csw.uic.edu/aod/T-28/T-28.html

He say's this Fennec fly's in the "Normal" catagory. Could it be that the A/ R-1 bird is some kind of SUD/Fennec? Did some Fennec's get Standard airworthiness certificates?

This is from Dan D,

"I'm sending you a URL about a really weird T-28 - a model I have never even heard about and they claim it has a Standard Certificate and requires no LOA (although we know those have been superseded now).??????It looks like some type of hybrid to me with some A Model features - like the carb air inlet, for instance. Obviously no Clean Kit. Probably no speed brake"


http://www.controller.com/email.asp?emid=111407

NORTH AMERICAN T28R-1, S/N: 10, N28DS, 3134 TT, Standard Category-No LOA needed, Wright 1820 56MI, TTSOH 939, For Sale - $165,000

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Date MFG 10-1-64, 1820 944 SMOH, 814 Trans., King KTR 900 VHF Com Transceiver, ELT, King VHF Com KFS 590A, Northstar Loran C M1, 601B Bendix Transp.

[Tulio]

I recall seeing a T-28R once before, at the West Houston airport.

There were at least four different T-28 models present that day, one of them was identified by a sign as a T-28R (Hamilton Aircraft Co.)

Checking re: the scoop location:

The Fennec did have the scoop set back closer to the firewall than the other T-28s.

I have found one instance so far of T-28R-1, serving with the Brazilian Navy (ex 50-202) identified as "Marinha N-703."


Saludos,


Tulio

[Jack Cook]

Shoot me if I'm wrong, but I think this is a one-off T-28A rebuilt by Dwight Reimer in Calif. a few back. Hence the 'R'. I remember him flying this bird about the time he was racing "Cotton Jenny" at Mojave.
PS: does that say Marines on the side? I couldn't quite make it out.

[Tulio]

Well, my data says that Brazil operated T-28Rs as well as Bolivia (six).


Saludos,


Tulio

[Scott Rose]

PS: does that say Marines on the side? I couldn't quite make it out.

[Roger Cain]

There is/was a T-28R-1 Nomair flying here in CA as N28DS. In the 1950's around 10 T-28A's were taken and converted by Hamilton Aircraft Company for the civilian market. Designated as R-1 they were powered by Wright R-1820's with three bladed Hamilton Standard props. In the 60's they also built a T-28R-2 that was setup for seating of up to five people, which included the pilot. It had a fixed canopy with a side door entrance. I have heard only two were built, but haven't confirmed it. Anyone got pictures of the beast?

The Brazilian Navy ordered six T-28R-1's for their aircraft carrier Minas Gerais, and these planes had arresting gear added to them. Haven't heard about the Bolivian ones.

I had a good discussion on another board about these planes, unfortunately that board is long gone.

Some of my info came from the "T-28 in Action" Squadron book.

[O.P.]

I just got some info from some T-28 drivers. Apparently Hamilton modified some aircraft with stuff like "stall strips" on the leading edge to match an FAA requirement. The planes were, and are, Standard catagory aircraft. Along with that, there were 3 and 4 seat versions of it. There was also a high altitiude photo bird. A good source tells me that he thinks there are 5 standard catagory T-28's left. If I find out more, I'll post it.