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Northrop T-38A Talon

The T-38 Talon has been training U.S. Air Force pilots since 1961.  It was developed to replace the T-33 as the main jet trainer for the Air Force.  The first Talon flew in 1959 and they began appearing in service in 1961.  In all 1,189 T-38As were built between 1960 and 1972.  The upgraded T-38C Talon remains in service with the U.S. Air Force as a trainer, with the U.S. Navy as an adversary aircraft in the Top Gun program, and with NASA.  

Service History:

Built by Northrop Aircraft, Hawthorne, California and delivered to the USAF on April 2, 1962.

April 1962                   To 3560th Maintenance Support Group, Webb AFB, Texas.

August 1963                To 3560th Pilot Training Wing, Webb AFB, Texas.

November 1972          To San Antonio Air Logistics Center, Kelly AFB, Texas.

July 1976                    To Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona for storage.

1977-1978                   To Taiwan for advanced pilot training.

April 1981                   Dropped from inventory as surplus.

June 1982                    Loaned to Pima Air & Space Museum by the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

Wingspan

25 ft 3 in.

Length

46 ft 4 in.

Height

12 ft 10 in.

Weight

11,761 lbs (loaded)

Maximum Speed

805 MPH

Service Ceiling

45,000 ft

Range

860 miles

Engines

Two General Electric J85-GE-5A turbojets with 3,850 pounds of thrust

Crew

2

Manufacturer
Northrop

Markings
3560th Pilot Training Wing, Webb AFB, Texas, 1963

Designation
T-38A

Serial Number
61-0854