Warbird Information Exchange

Speaking of strange T-28s, I heard a story about T-28B back east with a R-2600 installed. Anyone out there seen it?

I know of one with an R-2000, but haven't heard of one with a R-2600. The R-2000 powered on was owned by Hank Rapone, I believe.

tTe one I'm referring to had a VF-84 Jolly Rogers paint scheme.

The one back east with the R-2000 that is owned by Hank Rapone had an extensive fuselage rebuild by a guy named Ronnie Hannula. After rebuild Ron was assembling it at Republic airport and I think I remember him telling me that the airplane had a very severe lightning strike that virtually broke the Fuse in half (thus the fuse rebuild). I think that a guy named Vinney Tarrata was flying it when it got damaged (somwhere in Florida ?). havn't heard much abut it in a long time.

I know the plane you're referring to, as I saw it in Rockford last year. It's a T-28B with an R2000 up front, in a VF-84 scheme, at least on the tail. Seems the fuselage was in primer. The plane had not flown for several years, and looked like it needed some work. Pretty rough.

I also understand that it didn't fly all that well.

YES, THAT'S THE ONE. I JUST GOT THE ENGINE WRONG. I HEARD THAT THE THE ONLY THING THAT SAVED THE AIRPLANE WAS THAT IT HAD THE REENFORCED STABS PUT ON JUST BEFORE THE INCIDENT. THE FUSELAGE WAS NEARLY SPLIT IF HALF. ANYONE HAVE PHOTOS?