Monogram 1/48 T-28D Trojan

The T-28D was a T-28B converted for the USAF in 1962 for the counter-insurgency, reconnaissance, search and rescue, and forward air controller roles in Vietnam. Fitted with two underwing hardpoints. The later T-28D-5 had ammo pans inside the wings that could be hooked up to hardpoint-mounted gun pods for a better center of gravity and aerodynamics; 321 converted by Pacific Airmotive (Pac-Aero).

There was also an attack model of the T-28D used for Close Air Support (CAS) missions by the USAF and allied Air Forces in Southeast Asia, which were nicknamed "Tangos" by their pilots. It was fitted with six underwing hardpoints and the rocket-powered Stanley Yankee ejection seat; 72 converted by Fairchild Hiller.

Based on this description and the number of hardpoints provided, the kit is the AT-28D. 

Originally released in 1965, Monogram's T-28D was basically their T-28B kit with the addition of weapons. The T-28B itself was a modification of their T-28A which had a smaller cowling and a two blade prop. Typical of the kits of the time, it has nicely raised detail with a number of working features. This includes an opening rear canopy section, a prop that can be made to spin, and retractable landing gear. This latter feature provides small tabs on the gear doors so that when closed, they can be opened again by inserting a fingernail under the tab. I've built several Monogram T-28s during my life and this feature actually works quite well.

The kit has a fairly detailed cockpit and provides a seated pilot for the front seat. If you want an unoccupied front seat, you'll have to either cut away the pilot or scratchbuild a seat. The seats themselves are fairly generic. There are decals for the instrument panels.

Wings are a single lower section with separate upper halves. The landing gear have to be installed prior to full assembly of the wings. Not surprising is that the wheel wells are not boxed in and while the gear is quite sturdy, they are lacking the level of crispness one expects from modern kits. If you want this kit to stand on all three wheels, you'll have to pack as much weight as you can in the nose section. If you fail at that, there is a rear fuselage support stand you can use. For weapons you have a machine gun pod, napalm tank and a bomb. The pylons are molded to the weapon and the holes on the underside of the wing are already opened for you.

Instructions are just like what they were in 1965 with 15 construction steps and one showing decal placement. While the fairly thick decal sheet shows two markings options, only one is catered to in the instructions. This is the box art plane in light gull grey (or possibly ADC grey) over white. If you don't mind filling in the underwing holes, you could build this one as a T-28B trainer. There are some nice aftermarket sheets and while they are for the newer Roden kit, could easily be used for this one.

Most people who want a 1/48 T-28D will gravitate to the Roden kit. That kit has a lot more detail and doesn't have any of the working features of the Monogram offering. However, the Monogram kit is easier to build and still looks quite nice on the shelf when done. It is also considerably less expensive (though some on-line sellers seem to think it is made of gold) and fairly easy to find (I recommend vendors at shows and swap meets where I got my sealed kit).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_T-28_Trojan  

October 2023

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