5. T-28 Trojan
The T-28 had the look, feel, sound, and power of early World War II fighters, something the Navy desired it to have when it entered training service mid-century. The aircraft was an ideal trainer in both its power and predictability, although it lacked in other areas as it was not pressurized and lacked ejection seats.
There were two naval variants, the T-28B, of which 489 were produced, and the T-28C (equipped with arresting gear for carrier training, of which 299 were made. The prop on the T-28C described an arc nine inches shorter than the T-28B and was flat on the ends of the blades. Together with the tailhook, the aircraft could be readily distinguished apart from the T-28B.
4. F-86 Sabre
The earliest model of the F-86 was equipped with a Chevrolet-built J35-C-3 engine that had a 4,000-pound thrust. Early versions of the jet displayed many impressive characteristics: its high speed was 618mph at 14,000ft, its climb rate was 4000fpm. The Sabre dwarfed the capabilities of previous American fighters, including the legendary prop-driven P-51, whose top speed measured just 440mph in comparison. Upon its third production, the Sabre had been equipped with a new, Allison-built J47-GE-13 engine, wh…
