The US Air Force and Navy used the North American T-6/SNJ as their primary pilot trainer aircraft during World War II, the Korean War, and the early 1950s. In 1948, the North American firm designed a new trainer aircraft, the T-28A, for the US Air Force, and two years later the aircraft entered service. The 'A' model was powered by an 800 hp Wright R-1300 engine. With tricycle landing gear, hydraulically steerable nose wheel, complex systems, armament, and a cockpit design similar to old jets, the T-28s included major improvements showing progress compared to T-6/SNJs.

Between 1950 and 1957, a total of 1948 T-28s were produced, of which 493 T-28Bs (According to Boeing Company statistics). At the same time, T-28s are the first US military trainer aircraft to have a "Tricycle Landing Gear". In the early 1950s, the US Navy made major changes to T-28s to meet navy training requirements. This resulted in North American Aviation designing the T-28B, a derivative of the T-28s. The T-28B had more power (1425 Wright Cylone R-1820-SHD), a 3-blade propeller, a hydraulically actuated speed brake, a low-profile canopy, and structural modifications that allowed for higher performance. In addition, the hydraulically steerable nose wheel was removed. The T-28C emerged as the Navy further reviewed its training needs. The T-28C was a "B" model with structural modifications and had a tail hook for landing on the aircraft carrier. The T-28B/C was used by the US Navy from 1955 to 1984 when the last 'Charlie' models were withdrawn from service.

Although originally designed as a pilot trainer, the T-28 also had another life as a true fighter aircraft. It served in the American Air Force and the armies of various foreign countries, first with the French as 'Fennec' and later as the T-28D. Today, it continues to be used for civilian purposes such as aerobatics and demonstration flights. Approximately 250-300 T-28 aircraft are active today, with civilian owners/operators in Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, Türkiye, and the United States.

The North American Aviation T-28B Trojan, 1955 model with serial number 138354, in flying condition, was donated in November 2021 by Ali İsmet ÖZTÜRK to the M.S.Ö. Air and Space Museum.