The U.S. Air Force's primary pilot trainer of the Korean War era — 800 horsepower, tandem seating, and an unforgettable ride over the Colorado Rockies.
The North American T-28A Trojan entered service with the U.S. Air Force in 1950 as the direct replacement for the legendary T-6 Texan. It was designed to ease the transition from propeller trainers to the jets that were rapidly transforming military aviation — giving student pilots a powerful, responsive, high-performance aircraft that prepared them for the demands of frontline combat.
The T-28 was the U.S. Air Force's primary pilot trainer throughout the Korean War. Thousands of American fighter and attack pilots earned their wings in the T-28 during the early 1950s. Its tandem seating — student pilot in front, instructor behind — placed the student in an unobstructed cockpit with full controls, demanding skill and building confidence in a way that no simulator could replicate.
With 800 horsepower from the Wright R-1300 engine pulling a relatively light airframe, the T-28A delivered a flying experience that was spirited, responsive, and demanding — exactly what was required to prepare pilots for the high-performance aircraft of the jet age. At 285 mph top speed and a service ceiling of 24,000 feet, it was a serious airplane that demanded serious airmanship.
Our aircraft, N92TL, is a recently acquired addition to the CAF Mile High Wing fleet, joining the SNB-5 Sonoran Beauty to give the Wing two distinct aircraft for VIP flights and living history displays across Colorado and the region. Flights in the T-28A require CAF membership as part of the FAA Living History Flight Experience program.
Colorado has deep roots in military aviation training. During the Korean War era — the period when the T-28A was the U.S. Air Force's primary trainer — Colorado was home to major military aviation operations including Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, which hosted fighter training operations throughout the early Cold War period.
The aircraft of the T-28A era represent a pivotal chapter in American aviation history — the transition from propeller-driven warbirds to the jet age that would define the second half of the 20th century. That transition happened against the backdrop of the Cold War, and Colorado played a central role in the nation's defense during those years.
At the Mile High 150 Expo on August 1, 2026, the T-28A Trojan will be on the Legacy Ramp at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport — connecting Colorado's aviation heritage to Colorado's 150th birthday. The sound of its Wright R-1300 engine is a sound that is genuinely rare in 2026, and one that will echo across the Front Range on Colorado Day.
The T-28A is operated by the Commemorative Air Force Mile High Wing. Warbird flights are available at events and tour stops throughout Colorado. CAF membership is required to fly in the T-28A as part of the FAA Living History Flight Experience program.
August 1, 2026 · Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport · Broomfield, Colorado
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