Warbird Information Exchange

Got this email and wonder if we could help this guy out. Stoney

Dear NATA
I found your website in a Google search.

Recently I came across the wreckage of a T-28B while bushwhacking in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. No one seems to have any idea of when the crash occurred or the circumstances.

I was able to take notes and photos of varying identifying plates, but I am unsure of their meaning. I thought that, as a fan of the T-28, you might point me toward sources who could help me identify this aircraft.

The aircraft is on the east side of the Blue Ridge, in Nelson County, VA, about 620m downhill from the Appalachian Trail, on Humpback Mountain. It at one time was a USMC trainer, but the olive green and Marine lettering was painted over in silver. There is no identifiable tail number, either military or civilian. A yellow "X" is painted on the tail. I apparently underwent some action at NAS Pensacola in the 2nd quarter of 1963, as shown by a sticker on the main shock strut manufactured by Axelson Mfg Co for North American (Serial R75450 - 21). The sticker has seven choices for "Type Processing" -- O M R CT RT T N -- with O selected.

The NTSB database claims to have all fatal crashes in the US from 1962 to the present, both military and civilian. I have already found another fatal crash in the records which is not in that database, so it seems that they missed this one too. It shows no T-28 crashes in Virginia.

Partial readings have been taken from plates on ribs of an aileron, and a wing. Both identify the model as T-28B; some part numbers can be read (159-22001, 159-16301, 159-18002-502); the contract number was NOA - S - 53 - 313 on must parts; serial numbers can be read for some -- for part 159-22001, serial B 2894; part 159-18001, serial B 1639; part 59-16301, serial B 506? [last digit possibly 2].

Can this information be used to identify the plane from files listing what parts were used in what plane?

Can the list of possible planes be narrowed by identifying plane numbers of T-28Bs known to have crashed, to be in museums, or to still be flying?

Look forward to your thoughts.

Al Sharp

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The NTSB site lists 'civil' accidents and selected incidents.

Steve G

I imagine the Marine markings painted over in silver with a yellow X on it is to show that the wreck was found and Id'ed, so future finders wouldn't think it's a new wreck.

Regards,
Mike