Warbird Information Exchange

Hello WIX,

This is my first post here, been lurking for a couple of months. I really enjoy the site and am blown away by the incredible depth of knowledge and experience here.

I'm a 270 hour private pilot with an instrument and multi ticket. Almost half of my time is in a light twin. I did my entire instrument program in it. I live on a small island in the Caribbean.

I'm nuts about T-28's!

I recently convinced myself that maybe I should focus on a T-6 because of my low time and the type rating required for a T-28. Then I saw SNJ5's posts about his T-28A and it's gotten my appetite wet.

A few questions:

Am I biting off too much for my level of experience?

As I said, I live on an island. How comfortable would you be in a well maintaned T-28 (or a T-6) over 100 miles of open water at a stretch?

Do they all have superchargers, or just the B's and C's?

Thanks and glad to be here,

Sixcarbs

I am not a T-28 expert, not really even one on T-6. However my impression or guess is a T-6 engine is a little more reliable than a T-28, maybe a T-34 would be better still. I don/t know much history on how they behave if ditched. It seems the T-34 would be easy to bail out of if needed. I'd carry good chut and wear a life vest in whichever one I flew over water.

_________________
Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

You should talk to O.P. He is the other resident T-28 nut. Here is his profile:

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... file&u=112

There are several T-28 owners, flyers and maintainers who frequent this board. Hopefully they can answer your questions. I've never flown in a T-28, but do have T-6 time. If you don't have any taildragger time, the T-28 might be a bit easier transition. Even though it is more complex than a T-6, it might not be too bad for you, since it sounds like you have some complex time in light twins.

BTW, I'm a firm believer that excellent training can overcome any type of experience level. Just because you are inexperienced, don't let that discourage you from getting the plane of your dreams. As long as you have the proper training from someone who is actually going to teach you how to fly and not just give you the rating or paper that says so, it will all work out. Just about anybody can learn to fly any type of airplane. It's just that some people pick it up quicker than others. Any instructor worth a crap, will keep giving you lessons, until he/she feels you are safe to fly it alone without supervision.

Another factor is the logisitics. Since you live on an isolated island, it might be difficult to find qualified maintainers/instructors and/or obtaining parts for it.

I'm sure you have already thought of this, but what you want is not going to be cheap at all! I hope you are financially well off.

Also, welcome to WIX and please contribute here! Thankfully, most everybody's contribution here is valued, and there doesn't appear to be the "elitist" attitude that seems to permeate a lot of internet forums. Don't think that because of your inexperience in flying that your contributions are any less valuable. Everybody with any interest in warbirds is welcome here!

I have both T6 and T28 time.
I would have no problem flying 60 year old round engine across long stretches of water if I had really good insurance and a marine survival kit. the 28 is a very good airplane and flies beautifully but the engines are not known for running to TBO without difficulties. Neither is difficult to fly. The 28 is more complex to fly and the 6 is obviously harder to land.

As everyone has said, you should not be anxious about flying the T-28, especially the A. It is a very sweet flying airplane, very predictable and controllable. You'll find most T-28 folks very helpful, much like the T-6 guys, and I think especially the A model guys really stick together - very pleasant group.
PM me if you ever need anything, or send me your phone and I'llbe happy to share any details you may want to know about A model ownership.
Best
Russ

Thanks everyone.

SNJ5, that is one good looking bird! What is that center console, is it related to the armament package?

So, they are nice planes, but so far I don't hear anyone saying they would be very comfortable making multiple flights over open water. A good chute, excellent insurance, and a marine survival kit while always good form is hardly a ringing endorsement.

Finding a good instructor to take a working vacation in paradise shouldn't be difficult. Maintenance could be tricky, but then again, I think this island is only one generation past radials.

Sounds like I may need to consider keeping it in Europe if I am dead set on a T-28. Anyone know the warbird requirements over there? (Perhaps I should start a new thread on that topic.)