Before you fly the arrows rc t-28 trojan
The T-28 Trojan is a versatile, single-engine military trainer aircraft designed and built by North American Aviation. First introduced in 1949, the T-28 was primarily used by the United States Air Force and Navy to train their pilots. This classic aircraft also makes for an incredibly fun radio-controlled (RC) model. I’m Alex from Hangar14 RC, and here is everything you need to know before you fly the Arrows RC T-28 Trojan.
Specs and Information
The Arrows RC T-28 has a wingspan of 1100mm (43.3 inches) and an overall length of 915mm (36 inches), making it a compact model with impressive scale details. It's powered by a 3536 850KV brushless motor paired with a 40-amp ESC, swinging a three-blade 10x7 propeller. This 6-channel airplane includes flaps and retracts, and it's equipped with seven 9-gram plastic gear servos, all connected and running through a Spektrum AR620 receiver which I have installed in this plane. The recommended battery is a 3S 2200mAh which is plenty for this airplane however I will touch on that more in just a second.
Assembly of the Arrows T-28 is simple and straightforward with no glue required. Just a few Allen wrenches and a Phillips screwdriver will have it ready to fly in 30-45 minutes. Once assembled, you'll have a solid EPO foam model in a unique color scheme with cockpit detail, flaps, and retracts with working front gear doors. Making it an impressive model for its size.
The Good
This airplane feels solid, which is a sign of good construction. Despite this, it's not overly heavy. The parts fit together tightly during assembly, which is another testament of the quality of this airplane. The ease of assembly, requiring no glue and only simple screws, is a major plus.
For $240, this plane offers great value. It’s a 6-channel Plug n Play airplane with excellent attention to detail, electric retracts with functioning gear doors, flaps, and electronics that provide great performance. Compared to the E-Flite 1.1m T-28, for instance, you get more features for less money. The scale details, including the cowling, three-bladed propeller, semi-detailed cockpit, and working front gear door, add to the overall look and feel of this plane.
Most importantly, it flies exceptionally well. The power-to-weight ratio with a 3S battery is more than enough for scale and sport aerobatics. Dropping the flaps allows for slow, easy landings. This plane flies like a T-28 should, performing basic aerobatics beautifully. It is a military trainer after all.
The Not So Good
While there are many positives, nothing is ever perfect because there are also some areas for improvement. The canopy attachment could be better. The current design is mounted to the fuselage using magnets and uses a piece of what seems to be packing tape to use as a pull tab. In my opinion this looks cheap and is prone to detaching. A latch or pin system would be preferable.
The scale propeller as much as I love how it looks, swings low, similar to the real T-28, which can be problematic on grass fields. It can catch the grass, causing the plane to become unstable. While it’s still flyable on grass, a smoother surface is ideal.
The retracts have held up well overall, but one of the main landing gear doesn't seat correctly anymore without some persuasion. This is likely due to the stress from grass landings and the wheel covers that sit low and snag in the grass.
What to Expect When Flying
After many flights with the Arrows T-28 Trojan, here are some key points I think you should know:
Battery: The recommended battery is a 3S 2200mAh lipo. However, running a 4S 2200mAh battery transforms its performance. While it fits with minor modifications to the canopy, the increase in power is significant and worth trying.
Aerobatics: The T-28 is aerobatic but not suited for extreme maneuvers. Fly it as a T-28, not an Edge 540, and you’ll be just fine.
Enjoyment: This plane is a joy to fly. It looks fantastic in the air, flies smoothly, and fits easily into a car without disassembly. You’ll want multiple battery packs to keep flying.
Conclusion
The Arrows RC T-28 Trojan has been the first Arrows model in my collection, however it will definitely not be my last as it keeps impressing me with its performance and value. For under $250, it’s an incredible deal. T-28s make fantastic RC airplanes, and this one is no exception. I’ve been in this hobby for over 20 years, and planes like this show how far the hobby has come.
