The Northrop T-38 Talon is a two-seat, twin jet supersonic jet trainer designed and produced by the American aircraft manufacturer Northrop Corporation. It was the world's first supersonic trainer as well as the most produced.

The T-38 can be traced back to 1952 and Northrop's N-102 Fang and N-156 fighter aircraft projects. During the mid-1950s, Northrop officials decided to adapt the N-156 to suit a recently issued general operating requirement by the United States Air Force (USAF) for a supersonic trainer to replace the Lockheed T-33. The bid was successful, in no small part on its lower lifecycle cost comparisons to competing aircraft, and the company received an initial order to build three prototypes. The first of these, designated YT-38, made its maiden flight on April 10th, 1959. The T-38 was introduced to USAF service on March 17th, 1961.

The USAF is the largest operator of the T-38. Additional operators of the T-38 include NASA and the United States Navy. U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Maryland, is the principal US Navy operator. Other T-38s were previously used by the US Navy for dissimilar air combat training until replaced by the similar Northrop F-5 Tiger II. Pilots of other NATO nations have commonly flown the T-38 during joint training programs with American pilots. The T-38 remains in service as of 2023 with several air forces. As of 2023, the T-38 has been in service for over 60 years with the USAF, its original operator. In September 2018, USAF announced the replacement of the Talon by the Boeing-Saab T-7 Red Hawk with phaseout to begin in 2023.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a USAF Northrop T-38C Talon jet trainer that was attached to the 469th Flying Training Squadron "Fighting Bulls", Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, 2020. Pre-order! Ship Date: May 2025.

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 4-1/4-inches
Length: 7-3/4-inches

Release Date: ?

Historical Account: "Fighting Bulls" - Member nations of NATO combined pilot training programs to reduce costs and increase standardization. The US offered to host Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Participating nations contribute to the ENJJPT program proportionately to their use. The 469th Flying Training Squadron was reactivated in April 2009 as part of the 80th Flying Training Wing to conduct undergraduate flying training for ENJJPT pilot candidates.

In April 2009, the consolidated squadron, redesignated the 469th Flying Training Squadron, was activated. Its personnel represent 13 NATO nations and it supports the ENJJPT with Northrop T-38 Talon aircraft. It flys over 11,500 training sorties and 13,000 hours while training over 200 student pilots and instructor trainees annually.