Northrop T-38 Talon (66-8364)

In 1965/66 I worked on T-38's at Laredo AFB. I was lucky enough to get a 2 1/2 test hop ride with 1/2 hour of stick time. On the flight we broke the sound barrier.

Awesome experience LT188GT


Cool Pic Gabe

Think about it - LT188GT's experience with T-38's goes back 57 years, and the T-38's are still going! What an airplane.

During Vietnam War the T-38s became A-5s. Primarily, the South Vietnam Air Force used the A-5s. As a Tactical Air Controller, I do not recall any USAF using the A-5s as a strike aircraft. Another trainer aircraft converted for use in Vietnam was the Cessna built T-37s. They became the A-37s and the USAF did use them for airstrikes. The A-37s were stationed a Bien Hoa.Sometimes when the ground troops would request air support they would ask first for the A-37s, second for F-100s. The A-37s were the most accurate with their bombing and the F-100s were also next in accuracy.

Sorry folks, the years is causing problems in my memory recall. I remember an A-5 aircraft us by the South Vietnam AF. I believe it was a converter T-38s. If any has the answer, let us all know.
My apology.

This link calls it the F-5 and says it was used in Vietnam.

https://imgproc.airliners.net/photos/airliners/7/5/6/2188657.jpg?v=v40

WOW! 'The A-37s were the most accurate with their bombing and the F-100s were also next in accuracy.'

It's the PILOT, not the aircraft that has accuracy. Read Chuck Yeager's BIO on waxing a Mig 15 with an F-86, swapping rides and then waxing the F-86 from the MIG!

REF: comment by Harry Ellett

Nice comment regarding the F-100 record of accuracy during the Vietnam War. Stationed at Tuy Hoa AB, RVN in 1968 - 1969, we had 5 squadrons (3 regular Air Force, 2 Air National Guard) of "Hun", F-100 aircraft.

Rich Pelkowski, we achieved that level of accuracy in the F-100 by constant practice. Our bombing system was basically WWII technology!

309thTFS

The F-5 was a single seat version of the T-38 primarily for FMS (foreign military sales). I had the pleasure of flying T-38's at Vance AFB, Enid, OK, during my last 6 months of UPT in 1970-1971. 2-Ship and 4-Ship formation flying was a blast, particularly when being solo on the wing.

These were at Sheppard when I was there in 68-69. Still beautiful planes.

A tip of my hat to Jack Northrop and his wind tunnel for the coke bottle fuselage used on T-38 and all F5 variants. Early 70's I worked in Hawthorn making illustrations for all the parts manuals. Funny that after all the years NASA Astronauts still arrive often at the Cape in T-38s!

These aircraft have classic lines. Nice shot.

I was a crew chief on T38's 1963-1965 at WEBB aft, Big Spring,TX. I spent six months in PE in 65 and got 100 hours in the backseat flying FCF's. Made a couple of take offs and landings.