Northrop T-38 Talon

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3h ago · © Unknown

NASA's T-38 Talons in commemorative 50th Anniversary formation, showcasing the special starlit livery.

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Aircraft

T-38 Talon T-38

NASA Special - 50th Anniversary

Airline

NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)

Manufacturer

Northrop

Achievements

Rare Bird, Vintage Voyager, Livery Legend, Military Maverick

4 badges earned

Photo grade

Gold

Score: 90.0

Your tight side-on formation with clear NASA tails pops beautifully against the clean blue sky—dynamic and perfectly framed!

Location

Wittman Regional Airport

OSH/KOSH

43.9844, -88.5570

Open map

Wittman Regional Airport OSH

Airport

Insights

Aviation History

The Northrop T-38 is renowned as the world\'s first supersonic trainer, flown by the USAF and NASA for decades. The NASA-operated T-38s are iconic for astronaut jet proficiency training.

Fleet Rarity

NASA is one of the few non-military operators of the T-38; this livery is especially rare for NASA\'s 50th Anniversary.

Record Flights

Used extensively by NASA for astronaut training and for support on various notable space missions; not associated with commercial distance/time records.

Safety & Events

A T-38 crash in 1966 claimed the lives of astronauts Elliott See and Charles Bassett; otherwise has a strong, safe record over decades.

Future Outlook

NASA continues to use T-38s for training, though the type is aging and potential replacement programs are being considered.

Specifications

General Electric J85-GE-5A

Engine

7.7 m

Wingspan

14.1 m

Length

1,835 km

Range

1,293 km/h

Speed

2 (crew, instructor & student)

Capacity

5,443 kg

MTOW

3.9 m

Height

2,900 lbf (13 kN) per engine

Thrust

Not specified, military trainer (not rated by civil ICAO standards)

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