The T-2 was the U.S. Navy’s first jet-powered dedicated trainer, and was used to introduce Naval aviators to jets. Its design is simple, with a straight wing

and wide-spaced landing gear, which offered excellent stability for student pilots. Powered by two General Electric J-85 turbojet engines, the T-2 had a

maximum speed of 520 mph, and a range of 900 miles. As an intermediate trainer, the T-2’s overall performance was between that of the U.S. Air Force’s T-

37 and the Navy’s TA-4 Skyhawk, which served as an advanced trainer.

Since entering operational service in 1959, North American delivered 273 Buckeyes, and over the next forty years, virtually every Naval aviator trained on

the T-2. A small number of Buckeyes were also delivered to the air arms of Greece and Venezuela. The T-2 was eventually retired from the U.S. Navy during

2005, having gradually been replaced over the years by the higher performance T-45 Goshawk.

ESAM’s T-2C Buckeye enjoyed a long career with the Navy, and served with Training Squadron 86 at Naval Air Station Pensacola.

THIS AIRCRAFT IS ON LOAN FROM THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NAVAL AVIATION AT PENSACOLA, FLORIDA.

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