Our AT-28D-5 was manufactured by North American Aviation, Inglewood California as a T28A “Trojan” trainer and delivered to the USAF on 2 May 1950. Being one of the first of its type
is went on to the 2759thExperimental Wing (Air Materiel Command), Edwards AFB CA in the
same month. It would go on to be modified into an ET-28A at the 2750thAir Base Wing (AMC),
Wright-Patterson AFB OH in August of 1950. It would serve as a test aircraft for the HQ Air
Research and Development Command, Wright-Patterson AFB until June of 1951 when it
returned to Edwards AFB and the 2759th Experimental Wing. It remained at Edwards AFB
assigned to the 6510thAir Base Wing, 6512thTest Pilot Training Squadron, and the AF Flight Test
Center until May of 1962. It briefly was assigned to the 3550thMaintenance and Supply Group
(Air Training Command), Moody AFB GA until finally retired in September of 1962 and placed
in storage at Davis Monthan AFB, AZ.
In June of 1965 is was pulled out of mothball and sent to the North American Aviation Plant in
Columbus, OH where it joined other A-Models pulled from storage and converted into the
counter-insurgency light attack variant requested by the USAF for use in the burgeoning conflict
in South East Asia and designated the AT-28D-5. Built to the NAA NA-260 specifications with
its additional combat upgrades it would pick up the nickname of the NOMAD.
Upon completion of its overhaul from an A-model to the D-Model it was sent to Sacramento Air
Logistics Area, McClellan AFB CA in July of 1966, where it was transferred to the growing
Military Assistance Program in South East Asia. Delivered to Thailand between 1966 and 1967
as part of MAP aid to Laos it was transferred and operated by the USAF “Raven” Program in
combat operations from 1968-1970 operating out of Udorn Air Base in Thailand where it was
maintained by Air America although operated under the guidance of the USAF Air Attache’ in
Laos. Eventually operated by Air America pilots 49-1496 operated out of Thailand in Laos, and
Vietnam until 1973 when it was transferred to the Laotian Air Force.
Our North American AT-28D-5 is still in its stock military configuration as it was during the
Vietnam war. The aircraft pays tribute to all those who served during the Vietnam War,
specifically honoring the brave USAF Ravens, and Air America CIA airmen who operated in the
“secret war” in Laos, and Cambodia.
