T-28 Trojan, AT-28 Nomad

[jcf]

The T-28 series have an equipment bay/cargo compartment at the trailing edge of the wing, below and behind the rear seat. I've looked in an opened up T-28 and its a pretty big space, plenty of room for more fuel tanks. Hell, you could carry people in the compartment and evidently they did on numerous occasions.
The open hatch is visible in this photo:
http://www.airliners.net/photo/North-American-T-28A/1139652/L/

The most powerful version was the YAT-28E with T55 turbo-prop, compared to the T-28A the take-off gross weight had grown by a factor of 2. While the YAT-28E was not produced, the Chinese Nationalist Air Force built fifty their own turbine conversions using Lycoming T53 engines mounted on T-28A airframes.











As far as conversion to a single seater is concerned, the way you had it first is probably the better way from an engineering and piloting standpoint.  Placing the pilot aft would be rather anachronistic, and horribly reduce the pilots view.

BTW the first of the "family", the XSN2J-1, was a tail-dragger.

Jon

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Thanks for the additional images Jon.  Took just a moment to crop the YAT-28E side view to come up with the next evolution.  I think the extra engine cowlings provided in the Modelcraft F-82 kit might be a good starting point for modifying the T-28 kit.  It would certainly provide the needed length for the engine. 

[Archibald]

Developed to replace the AT-28C and AT-28D ground attack models that were created for the COIN mission, what could have been done with this airframe in regards to modification into a single seat aircraft?

Hehehe... imagine the Algerian war lasted a bit longer, and France needed to replace its T-6 "Gordini" (with their engine "uprated" as was the Renault-8 at the time )

Then you can dream of a Turbomeca-powered T-28 (maybe with the Pucara engine, think it was the Astazou)

[GTX]

Also look here (http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,18608.30.html) for some of the Mustang inspired trainers that led to the T-28.

Regards,

Greg

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Has anyone performed a check-fit on the T-28 with a four blade propeller and spinner from a P-51 Mustang?  A simple cosmetic upgrade might really make a difference in appearance. 

Not too long ago I contacted another member of the WHIF forum to purchase a resin conversion kit for the Boeing XB-38 (Allison V1710 engine cowlings) which is a bit primitive when compared to the current crop of resin conversions out there.  Having no real desire to build the XB-38 which is really sleek looking I had other plans for the parts such as using them as the starting point for a turbine power egg for a couple of other projects.  This leaves me with several of the Allison engine cowlings that could be put to other uses such as a V1710 powered T-28.  So I figured I would share that idea with you all and let your imaginations wander. 

[PanzerWulff]

Jeff the single seat profiles sort of remind me of aTrike geared Grumman Bearcat Panzer Likes 
"Panzer"

[famvburg]

     It has a Ryan Fireball look as well.

Jeff the single seat profiles sort of remind me of aTrike geared Grumman Bearcat Panzer Likes 
"Panzer"

[elmayerle]

Archibald, given the various engine ratings, I'd expect a French tuurbine-powered AT-28 to be closer to the proposed AT-28F with two wing-mounted T76 (Garrett TPE331) engines replaced by Astazous like the Pucara uses.  At least, that'd be an easier one to model; for a single-engined conversion, you'd need to find a Turbomeca engine comparable in performance to the T53 or T55 (though I'm certain there's one out there - just don't have references to hand, here).

Jefry, is that conversion in 1/72 or 1/48?  I've got a couple Heller T-28 kits that'd benefit in 1/72.  As it stands right now, they'll be going to twin-engined route described above.

[apophenia]

The Turmo is about the right shp and timeframe. The Breguet 941 of 1961 had 1,250 shp Turmo IIIDs driving three-blade props. I note though that Breguet originally considered RR Gnomes so a T58 would be another option for French aircraft.

[elmayerle]

That would likely work, though you might want to consider one more size up as the T55 can go up to the 3000 - 5000 shp range.  Still, that would work for a whiffed T-28.  Mind you, I admit to s certain preference for the twin engines and solid nose (be it a gun nose, a recce nose, or whatever).

[chrisonord]

I have just started building a turbo prop conversion Trojan, it is staying as a 2 seater, as that sort of engineering is beyond me
But, whilst looking in the spares box to find a suitable donor part to make the new engine, I came across the exhaust end of a saab Draken, and stuck that onto the Trojan's engine cowl, with a bit of putty and sanding etc it should turn out looking pretty ok.....he says
I am going to use a trimmed down Mosquito prop and spinner also as it fits nice and snug in the gap.
Cheers,
Chris.

[apophenia]

That would likely work, though you might want to consider one more size up as the T55 can go up to the 3000 - 5000 shp range.  Still, that would work for a whiffed T-28.  Mind you, I admit to s certain preference for the twin engines and solid nose (be it a gun nose, a recce nose, or whatever).

Not sure if there are any French turboprop/shafts from that period with that kind of output. (I was aiming more at the T53 range). Artouste might work for a lighter twin.

[chrisonord]

If you are going to make a 2 engine version how about a pair of engines from a Shorts Skyvan.

[elmayerle]

If you are going to make a 2 engine version how about a pair of engines from a Shorts Skyvan.

That's what the original AT-28F proposal was, two Garrett AiResearch T76 (TPE331) turboprops on the wings with a solid nose for whatever equipment fit (conceiveably, you could do a quick-change nose with alternate gun and recce versions).

[chrisonord]

Hmmm?
I have 2 solid gun noses for a B-25 in 72nd scale, one has the 75 mm gun in, are these any use to you if you should go that route elmayerle??
Chris.