The Buckeye was designed in the 1950s and first flew on 31 January 1958. It was initially designated the T2J until the joint aircraft designation system came into effect in 1962, when it became known as the T-2. It entered service in 1959, replacing the T2V Seastar as the United States Navy and Marine Corps' inexpensive multi-stage trainer. Almost every Navy pilot during the Buckeye's service life received some kind of training in