1949 North American T-28S “Fennec”

History

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to own a true flying legend: T-28S “Fennec” N5015L, a combat -proven COIN aircraft that served in Cold War hotspots, flew with the CIA in Laos, and raced at Reno as Race #44 “Stumpy”. Painstakingly maintained and actively flown, this aircraft combines history, and historical provenance in one flyable package.

Cold War & Combat History

• USAF Service: Delivered in 1949 as a T-28 trainer to the U.S. Air Force.
• French Air Force Transfer: In the late 1950’s this aircraft was sold to the French under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program. It was converted to a “Fennec” – an armed COIN (counter-insurgency) aircraft.
• Combat Deployment: Flew low-altitude ground support missions during the Algerian War and later in Southeast Asis, including CIA-backed operations in Laos and Cambodia.
• COIN Configuration: Reinforced wings, underwing pylons, radios, smoke tanks, armor plating, and upgraded engine.

This aircraft served in one of the most secretive and historically significant roles of the Cold War era – providing cover, recon, and strike capability for friendly forces in the jungles of Southeast Asia under CIA direction.

Reno Air Racing History

Following its retirement from military service, N5015L transitioned in to the American civilian warbird scene. In the 1990’s it was raced at the Reno National Championship Air Races, affectionately nicknamed “Stumpy” (race #44 in 1991) and “Worthless Dog” in 1992. Pilots Matt Jackson and Bill Rheinschild pushed the veteran Trojan to speeds near 290 mph in the Unlimited class at Reno, demonstrating the rugged plane’s capabilities four decades after its construction.

Post-War Legacy

This aircraft was eventually acquired by warbird enthusiast and Commemorative Air Force member Gary Stark, who restored it and flies it as an active living history exhibit based out of KRAL (Riverside, CA).