T38 Talon

Northrop built this USAF advanced jet trainer. It was the world&rsquos first supersonic trainer. The first T38s were delivered to the USAF in 1961.

The T38 is considered an excellent advanced trainer for USAF pilots. It is supersonic with a maximum speed of Mach 1.24. It has flight characteristics similar to front line AF fighter aircraft. Its two GE engines with approximately 3,000 lb thrust each, and more with afterburner, provide excellent power for these rather light aircraft. It is difficult to spin and good for air combat maneuvers as well as the flying formation and night/instrument training. NASA uses the T38 for astronaut training and transportation. 

The Air Force demonstration team, the Thunderbirds flew the T38 for eight years (19741982). The honorary pilot of this a/c is General Dan Cherry, who led the Thunderbirds as Group Commander. Vince Hammonds was a Thunderbird crew chief.

In service for over 50 years, the Talon is the cur­rent (2013) Air Force advanced trainer. The Thun­derbirds, the USAF Flight Demonstration team, flew this type of aircraft for eight years. NASA continues to use T38s for astronaut training and transportation. The frontline fighter version of this plane is the F5 and, at one time, was used by 37 nations. 

The Talon is capable of supersonic flight­speeds in excess of Mach 1, which is approximately 750 mph at sea level. Renowned woman pilot Jacqueline Cochran (who headed the WASP [Women Airforce Service Pilots] during World War II) set a speed record in the T38 in 1961. Brigadier General(Retired) Dan Cheny, a member of AMK who lives in Bowling Green, was commander of the Thunderbirds from August 1976 to April 1979.

The aircraft can be found in Hangar A.