The North American Aviation T-28 Trojan is a piston-engined military trainer aircraft used by the United States Air Force and United States Navy beginning in the 1950s. Besides its use as a trainer, the T-28 was successfully employed as a Counter-insurgency (COIN) aircraft, primarily during the Vietnam War.

Though none are currently in military use, the aircraft was widely exported in all of its different variants and is a popular warbird, due to the easy availability of parts and ease of maintenance.

For their second T-28 kit, Sword had chosen the carrier capable T-28C. This version has a cut away rear fuselage so that the tail hook can be mounted. As such, the sprues on this kit are the same as the previous offering save for a new sprue with new fuselage halves, a tail hook and engine exhausts. My kit even had a spare T-28B right fuselage half in case anyone is missing one. The kit  has Sword's usual very nicely done engraved detailing. A well molded clear sprue is also included that has the canopy and things like wing tip lights.

The cockpit consists of a central tub to which a rear bulkhead is attached. The two compartment bulkheads are then slotted in place overlapping the side consoles. Instrument panel and console detail is raised and is fairly well done. Into this tub fits two seats with separate cushions and the two control sticks. The forward instrument panel goes into a fuselage half and the rear one fits into a separate anti-glare shield. Behind the back seat fits the ADF antenna mount.

Main gear wells are made up of separate walls that fit into the upper and lower wing sections. A single piece nose gear well is also included and atop that fits a gear well blanking plate. The instructions call for 10 grams nose weight, which is a rather large amount, so best of luck getting it all to fit into the space provided.

A nicely detailed resin engine just needs some pushrods installed to give it that much more presence. This fits into a one-piece cowling. Landing gear looks properly sturdy and the nose gear has a separate nose wheel.  The canopy comes in three pieces and is shown being built closed. I am unsure if this can be built open, but I see no reason why not.

Markings are provided for three aircraft. Two of these are in standard trainer colors of White with International Orange bits. These were originally gloss, but weathered to semi-gloss as time went on. First up is a very familiar scheme to many of us. It is a shark mouth aircraft from VT-5. At this time the rudder was white with orange flashes. Next is a light gull grey over white T-28C as operated by VA-122, which at the time was the A-7 training unit. This was used as a hack and for familiarization to the area for newer pilots. Though the box says it was based at NAS Miramar in 1976, this would not be correct as the unit was based at NAS LeMoore. The final option is another VT-5 aircraft, obviously from a different time period from the first as its markings are totally standard for the T-28 with nothing special about them.   Decals are very nicely done by Eduard and are very nicely printed.

Those wanting a 100% accurate T-28C now have that option and without needing conversion sets or any additional hacking. Sword kits are short run and that means they don't stay around long so if you want one, you need to get it while it is still available.