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Welcome to a new suggestion of mine!
This time featuring one of my favourite trainers, the T-2E Buckeye like I mean, isn’t it beautiful?!
To start the suggestion let’s go ahead with the dimensions & internals;
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Dimensions;
Span: 11.62m
Length: 11.80m
Height: 4.5m
Weight: Empty 3680kg: Take-off gross: 5980kg
Internals;
Engines: 2x J85-GE-4 engines, 13.1kN max. Thrust
Max speed at sea level: 860km/h
Range: 1720km
Service ceiling: 13780m
Crew: Instructor pilot & co-pilot
Fuel;
Fuselage tank: 1465L
Wing tip tanks: 386L each
Wing L/E tanks: 190L each
Totalling 2620L
Loading stations;
Inner pylons have a loading weight of 750lb - Intermediate and outer pylons have a loading weight of 500lb - Total weight of 3500lb is available for usage in the light attack role
The T-2E Buckeye is a mean trainer and has a fairly wide assortment of weaponry to use against it’s foes;
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Gunpods;
GPU-3A gunpods - 100 rounds per pod
Low drag bombs;
Mk 81
Mk 82
M-117AL
Mk 20 Rockeye
Drag bombs;
Mk 81
Mk 82
M-117 - 750lb
Flare dispensers;
SUU-40/A
SUU-44/A
Rocket Packages
LAU-3A
LAU-32/A
LAU-10/A
LAU-69/A
LAU-68/A
LAU-67/A
Fire bombs;
MK 77 Mod 2
BLU-1/B
BLU-27/B
BLU-10/B
These pictures show an assortment of weaponry including a Mk 20 Rockeye cluster bomb (3rd picture).
History on the T-2, it was developed in 1958 specifically for the U.S Navy, it flew first on January 31st however it was powered by a singular J34-WE-48 engine capable of producing 3400lb of thrust. It entered service officially in 1959. The single turbojet was however soon replaced with 2x 3000lb thrust J60-P-6 turbojets resulting in the new T-2B which then flew and entered service in 1965. The final production of this aircraft would come to be known as the T-2C with this they replaced the engines with the General Electric J85-GE-4 engines.
The export of this aircraft would come in 2 versions however the Greek one was known as the T-2E based on the T-2C it was modified a targeting system and the capability to carry a lot more weaponry than the US operated T-2s, the whole production ended with the last of the 40 T-2Es delivered to the HAF in December 1976 and by then there had been a total of 529 T-2s built.
Greek history on the T-2s; while T-2Es were being inducted into the HAF, the entire air force was undergoing a major transformation, at that time there was also a massive modernization program of the air force with the introduction of other airframes such as the A-7, F-4, Mirage F1. Because of this, the air force was in need of a new jet aircraft trainer to replace the outdated T-33s and as such the deal for 40 T-2E Buckeyes was signed in 1974. The aircrafts were delivered in the year of 1976 and began integration into the 120th Trainer Wing based at Kalamata airport located on the Peloponnesian peninsula.
Still to this day, the T-2E Buckeye flies in the Greek skies but is soon to be replaced by M346 Aermacchi Block 5s.
Some more pictures;
Sources;
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Hellenic Air Force 120 PEA Air Training Wing - Kalamata, Greece - MILAVIA Military Aviation Specials
https://www.haf.gr/en/history/historical-aircraft/t-2e-buckeye
Hellenic Air Force T-2 Buckeye Photo Report by UK Airshow Review
https://www.hickoryaviationmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/North-American-T-2-Buckeye-March-1.pdf
