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 3560^th Maintenance Support Group, Webb AFB, Texas.

August 1963                To 3560^th 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.

Manufacturer
Northrop

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

Designation
T-38A

Serial Number
61-0854