T-28A Pilot/PPI report

Went to see and fly a T-28A for sale here in JAX. Why the small engine you say? Well, several reasons; first of all is gas - it cruises at indicated 170 - 180 kts which gives the same mpg as a T-6, just doing it much faster. I was not neccesarily looking at T-28s, but this one caught my eye:

1. Three blade prop
2. less than 2800 hours Total Airframe time!!!
3. 20 hrs SMOH engine and all accesories!!
3. All inverters and old electronics removed (600 lbs lighter)
4. Long range fuel, huge luggage compartment
5. low canopy
6. new hoses
7. Polished, with ORIGINAL AF paint in excellent condition.
8. Pre-oiler
9. Experimental, no flight restrictions
10. clean, clean, clean

If you have not walked up to a T-28 before, it is a large plane (compared to a T-6) with spacious cockpits and canopy.

It started up pretty well, with the usual pressure carb proceedure of starting it on the primer, and then going to full rich on the quadrant. This one had a steerable nose gear, so taxi was easy and is what I would imaging riding an elephant would be like as you are so high in the air.

Well, gotta board Expressjet to go home, will finish the flight report (amazing!!) when I get home. A models are definitely underated!

 

Most of this assessment is coming from a T-6 guy, so keep that in mind.

First off, it's certificated experimental, but has no restrictions such as a 300 mile limit that others do.

The plane is a lot bigger than a T-6 as you see in the photos, and it still has that North American ruggedness about it. One of the surprising things was that while it is a much more complicated plane, it really opens up for maintenence access - both to the engine and monocoque. Lots of opening panels, etc - there is even a 'trap door in the firewall where you can stand in the front wheel well and work on the engine(see photo), even while it is running.

The controls are the smoothest and best balanced operating I have ever felt on any non boosted airplane - the balance is stunning. A T-6 is excellent, but you can tell technology had advanced with the T-28. And it is very roomy inside with lots of side room and headroom - I'm 6'2" and I've never been so comfortable in a warbird. And, although possibly imagined, it seemed a little quieter than the 6.

The owner said that because of the low times on everything, there was not that much to do on the annual - especially with the military wiring harness and all ac inverters mostly removed and the 20 hr smoh fwf, new brakes, hoses and tires.

After riding the elephant to the end of the runway and standard pre-flight checks, I held brakes and advanced the MAP to 30inches and checked the guages. I then released the brakes as advancing the throttle up to 40 inches map at 2550 rpm - and LOTS of right rudder. Rotate at 90 and she flies herself off the ground, climbing out at 110 -120 kts. After gear up, back the power down to about 35 inches and 2400 rpm and she goes up at about 1500 fpm.

The overwhelming sensations to this T-6 driver were two: 1. VISIBILITY is incredible with the clear bubble canopy and 2. the contol pressures and harmony are super smooth, much like the T-33s/F-100s and even the F-15s I had the opportunity to fly while a flight surgeon in the AF. 2. While it did not have the absolute power, it pulled stronger than the Texan, but the roll rate and control harmony, response and balance seemed otherworldly. I'M GUESSING IT ROLLS ABOUT 50% faster.

We set cruise at 29 inches and 2400 rpm and put the mixture in 'auto-matic'. We indicated about 165-170 kts with a gps groundspeed on about 200 mph.

There was about a 25 - 30 knot cross today in Jacksonville, so I watched him land (I was in the back). Very straightforward, and the wind did not seem to bother it much. Throw the gear down under 140 kts, turn base with 15 flaps at 110, apply more flaps as desired, over the fence a little above 90. Just reach for the ground with those long skinny legs. Once you're on the ground there in none of the sometimes T-6 tailwheel drama in a strong crosswind. Just aerobrake, roll out, and steer the elephant back to the hangar.

He says he gets 36 - 40 gph at 180kts indicated, and plans on a gallon of oil per hour. That's 5 mpg at about 200 mph, as opposed to the T-6 5 mpg at 150 mph. Interesting.

One other thing was the ABSENCE of AD's that you see on aircraft this old (besides the standard Hydromatic propellor AD) - there is really only one that calls for a special inspection on the gear leg trunions. The T-6's took a big AD hit recently on the wing attach angles, but not near as scary as the plethora of T-34 wing spar troubles. The T-28A just doesn't have any signifigant outside the one gear AD I could find.

A lot of money, but a whole lot of plane. Will be looking at the BT-9 next week as well as some other T-6s as per the original plan, but this pop-up T-28 is still definitely in the running as it is just so perfect anf flies so smoothly (and fast).

All advice appreciated.
Best,
rt
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not my photos, but some inflight pics of same plane.
It's even better in person.
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It's huge inside - much like an F-15. You can a;most stand up and walk around. I'm 6'2" and 250 and it fit me great. The bubble canopy is amazing for viz and headroom. You do have to be part mountain goat to get in, although not as bad as a TBM.

 

I always found the T-6 very roomy as well, but the T-28 is much more, especially above the shoulders with the bowed out bubble canopy as opposed to the T-6 narrow canopy - even with a parachute (which we had on my test flight). I will say the T-6 can beat you up on a cross country where the T-28 is a bit less rustic. The T-6 is very much like a Harley while the T-28 is a nicer ride (but still very military). I know this is lost on some folks, but the T-28 really feels like an slightly underpowered jet with it's control responses (which is what it was designed to transition new pilots to) in that they are very very smooth and light. From my business point of view, the T-28 is better for giving the experience of flying a more modern military airplane from both seats while the T-6 is very period and more simple flying.

There are three T-28 As on the market now, $130 to $179K. I definitely would not want a big engine B,C,D or F due to fuel burn and type certification; the A model fits my requirements better. The question is T-28 or a T-6 variant (T-6, SNJ, BT-9).

I'm happy to discuss any of these planes in more detail on the phone if anyone is interested - shoot a PM.

 

Offer made today on this plane.
We'll see where it goes.

 

pm sent

 

Believe me I struggled with this as the price would buy a higher time less well equipped big engine T-28 and some nice T-6s.
Why - the short list:
1. Absolute original and pristine corrosion free airframe - NO fleet hx of failres and NO airframe ADs other than landing gear trunion inspection. Aircraft built like a tank.
2. 20 hr smoh engine, all new accesories (mags, starter, gen), new hoses.
3. Has all expensive and desirable T-28 mods: re-oiler, clean kit, 3 blade prop, low canopy, nosewheel steering.
4. All military old and HEAVY radios, wiring and avionics with inverters removed reducing weight by approximately 800 lbs.!
5. I've had a T-6 before

While not as blazingly fast as later models, the T-28 A is faster than a T-6 at cruise by about 50 mph - right at 200+ mph. While at an increased fuel burn, the gas mileage is the same as a T-6 (~5 mpg). Much more comfortable and signifigant-other friendly.

This airplane flys like a jet - not in speed, but absolutely the smoothest control harmony equalling or exceed EVERY airplane I have ever flown, even in the AF. A lot of technology development from the essentially pre-war Texan, and it shows.

Experimental, no restrictions. A&P can do annual. Can fly XC.

 

Doing a web search on the N-number, 8089H, I found this photo of the plane in 1983, or TWENTY THREE YEARS AGO! Except for the original two blade propellor (it now has been upgraded to a 3 blade), IT LOOKS IDENTICAL to how it does now! I'll post the 1983 photo and a photo with the current owner standing on the wing to give you a size idea.

I have taken Roy King's sage advice and am flying in a national expert from Miami to do a ppi.
I verified that the A models DO NOT need a type certificate to fly - it's just like a Piper Arrow as far as the FAA is concerned on check-out.

Also verified here are no major ADs on the airframe! A testimony right there.

OBTW - the plane comes with a multiple lobe buffing polisher!!
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The fellow doing the ppi is a Mr Trudeaux from Miami who is one of the national T-28 guys. Very friendly and spent a lot of time on the phone with me. Like a Ferrari, the sale is contingent on the PPI, so here's hoping nothing major.

I've got a pilot manual (156 pages!) and I am hitting the books hard even the part about machine gun pods! ). Much like I did before getting the SNJ, I'm reading as much and talking to as many people as possible with lots of hangar flying.

There is also a pretty good Budd Davison review of flying an A model at www.airbum.com

Here are a couple of fun pages from the pilot manual, including the mandatory sexist cartoons that make early AF flight manuals so dated.
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looks like the 22nd of November.

My report from studying - this is a complicated aircraft.

 

Well, devil is in the details.

All of the quotes so far are coming in at well over $4K a year for max insurance. I guess since I paid $3.5 11 years ago for a T-6 it may not be unexpected.

Also running into "Hangar, hangar, whose got a hangar?"

I'm also having the expected "you know, I'll miss the simplicity of the old J-bird" buyers remorse. I knew I would feel that way as I was also a total tailwheel snob. You never lose your respect for the plane, but you do become a bit 'superior feeling' to lesser pilots. (j/k )

 

Why I love Ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/T-28-armament-kit-new-in-NAA-crate-complete_W0QQitemZ290162186616QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item290162186616#ebayphotohosting

"Want the 'right stuff' for your T-28? A complete and original North American Aviation armament kit, NEW and in the crate. Includes everything seen in the photo's. Gun pods, rocket rails, bomb racks, center pedestal etcetera... This is the real deal, not a replica. They are in excellent condition, No restoration needed. Just plug and play! You can LEGALLY AVIATE with these installed! NO SPECIAL PERMISSION / PAPERWORK / FLIGHT TESTING REQUIRED AS WOULD BE WITH REPLICA STUFF! ("in accordance with approved technical orders"...) This may be the only one left in captivity... Don't miss this opportunity to be the first kid on your block to get one! This is packed in a large crate, and as such will ship motor freight. Therefore Shipping is at buyers expense. All reasonable offers will be considered. Obviously these items are probably not eligible for export, so DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE YOU BUY!"

What a hoot!
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