Military Trainers
North American BT-14
ICAO: BT14
Overview
The North American T-2 Buckeye was a twin-engine jet trainer developed for the United States Navy. Designed to introduce student aviators to jet operations and carrier procedures, it served for several decades. The aircraft bridged the gap between basic trainers and fleet aircraft.
Live Fleet Activity (T2)
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Specifications
Units
- Engine
- 2 × General Electric J85-GE-4 turbojets
- Engine type
- Jet
- Thrust
- 2 × 2,950 lbf · 13 kN
- Avionics
- —
- Wing tips
- No winglets
- Seats
- 2
- Crew
- —
- Cabin width
- —
- Cabin height
- —
- Cabin length
- —
- Exterior length
- 38 ft 9 in · 11.80 m
- Tail height
- 14 ft 9 in · 4.50 m
- Fuselage diameter
- 3 ft 11 in · 1.20 m
- Wing span
- 38 ft 1 in · 11.60 m
- Baggage volume
- —
- Gross weight
- —
- Empty weight
- —
- Max takeoff weight
- 13,200 lb · 6,000 kg
- Max landing weight
- —
- Max payload
- 650 lb · 300 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 690 gal · 2,600 L · 2,100 kg (Jet A)
- Max cruise speed
- 450 kt · 518 mph · 833 km/h
- Maximum speed
- —
- Cruise speed
- —
- Approach speed
- —
- Range
- 930 nm · 1,070 mi · 1,720 km
- Fuel burn
- 2.00 nm/gal · 0.98 km/L
- Ceiling
- 45,200 ft · 13,800 m
- Rate of climb
- 6,200 ft/min · 31 m/s
- Takeoff distance
- 1,310 ft · 400 m
- Landing distance
- 1,710 ft · 520 m
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Operational Context
NAA T-2 Buckeye — carrier-based jet trainer
The T-2 first flew in 1958 and entered service in 1959. It was designed specifically for naval jet training and featured strengthened landing gear and an arresting hook for carrier operations. The aircraft introduced generations of pilots to jet performance.
Powered by two turbojet engines producing between 2,700 and 3,000 pounds of thrust (12 to 13 kN) each depending on variant, the T-2 cruised at approximately 450 knots (830 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight was about 15,000 pounds (6,800 kg). The tandem cockpit supported advanced instruction.
The Buckeye remained in U.S. Navy service until replaced by the T-45 Goshawk. Its straightforward design and carrier capability made it a reliable training platform. The aircraft holds an important place in naval aviation history.
Sources and references used for research and fact-checking.