On October 3rd, 1973, I had the pleasure of flying a T-38 14072 at SEM (Craig AFB). This was an orientation ride for Air Traffic Controllers working the intensive jet training area in Atlanta ARTC Center. On this date, we did acrobatics, stalls, and exceeded the speed of sound.

DO NOT PUT INTO SPIN. IT WILL PIN YOU.

I've seen several pictures of Talons loaded with Minigun pods (centreline pylon), yet, for every specification I've read, they've said no armament carried. Could these be examples of the AT-38B Lead-In Fighter trainer?

Flew the T38 at Webb AFB in 1964. Says alot about a design you can put a pilot in with 120 hours total flying time and have it be a safe ride. I also heard it's the first aircraft delivered on time and below cost to the USAF.

I worked on the T-38 at Holloman N.M. as a Phase inspection supervisor.Civil Service.These birds were put thru some rough flying hours in the lead in fighter training program. A very reliable Acft.A reduction in force (RIF ) took me to Patrick A.F.B. working in Transient Alert supporting NASA T-38"s flown by Astronauts , Crippen, Musgrave, Bolten,and many more of the leaders in the Space Shuttle Program. Oh, I downloaded many golf clubs from travel pods.Great Acft.

I was a T Bird and T-37 instructor at Vance AFB in Enid Oklahoma. I had about 1000 Hrs flying time when selected to fly T-38 and head up the aircraft engineering section in the academic training department.

The T-38 was easy and a joy to fly. It was safe and reliable. It could demonstrate every aerodynamic characteristic a pilot needed to know: Rudder roll, dutch roll, PIO's, Flying behind the power curve, supersonic flight (technically trans-sonic), Supersonic formation flying. The one thing we didn't demonstrate were spins. The T-38 had to be forced into a spin and that was non recoverable. I legislated for an angle of attack indicator the entire time I flew the airplane. It wasn't until I had been out of the Air Force for several years before the powers to be agreed that we needed the AOA. Of course, Edwards had them all along.

Landing the T-38 was easy. All you had to know was an accurate picture of the traffic pattern to touch down along with altitude, airspeed, and vertical velocity for each key point in the pattern. For example: Traffic pattern 1500 feet, speed 280 Knots. Pitch out over end of runway (adjusted for wind)reduce power approximately 5%. Down wind (compensate for cross wind by rolling out early or late). Below 240 Knots on down wind, lower gear reduce power slightly while starting turn to final, lower flaps descending at about 500 FPM and 175 Knots Plus allowance for fuel. Roll out on final approach 500 FT above ground, one mile from end of run way. Maintain 155 Knots plus fuel allowance on final. Maintain the proper picture and adjust power to keep airspeed where it should be. Touch down was nose high (higher than T-33 or T-37) with gentle flair beginning at about 30-40 FT which reduced rate of descent to touch down. Cross wind landings were a "piece of cake". Crab into wind and kick rudder just before touch down to align the nose. The official version was "wing low rudder to keep the nose aligned". This techniqued caused you to land on one wheel which caused undue tire ware.

Up to that point the T-38 was the only training aircraft where you could gain altitude while practicing acrobatics.

It was a fabulous formation flyer because of its variable nozzle afterburner. Whenever you needed a little extra power when you were already at full military power, it was always there.

Instrument flying was also a "piece of cake". The aircraft had an ADI system with pitch and banks steering bars on the attitude indicator for ILS approaches. It was TACAN equipped with what was called a Horizontal Situation Indicator. You always knew where you were.

In all round flying if you literally followed the book, you would never find yourself in a dangerous situation.

T-38 had one draw back. When we flew cross countries there was no space for clothing and golf clubs. That was later solved by the addition of a removeable travel pod.

Where can I get a good 3 view of the T-38. I would like to design a scale down home project for this aircraft useing 2 360 lbs trust engines. The top speed should be around 320 MPH with a range of about 800 miles.