Marcel Drgon Posted November 12, 2021 Share Posted November 12, 2021 Is there any guideline when the early/late bang seat headrests and wheels may have been newly built in or replaced on the Talons or a list of a/c showing such feature during the time? I would like to build a T-38A Talon BuNo 59-1603 as it served at NFWS in 1976 (with Driscoll's nametag and five victory marks), so if someone has a direct info on this a/c from that time, I would be grateful. My understanding is that it was one of the early birds and did not have these things replaced when flying with the USAF and after it was handed over to the Navy, so I would tend to opt for early wheels and headrests unless somebody proves me wrong. Picure courtesy of Furball Aero Design Quote Link to post Share on other sites
efd327 Posted November 13, 2021 Share Posted November 13, 2021 There is a photo of that aircraft in Schiffer Publishings Northop's T-38 Talon from 1974. The aircraft has the early style headrests and has a spoked front wheel. Other photos dated 1976 shows other Navy T-38's still had the early style headrest. It also still had the USAF on the bottom left wing as it is visible on the landing gear door. Other T-38's also still had the national insignia on the bottom right. Hope that helps. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AV O Posted November 13, 2021 Share Posted November 13, 2021 (edited) Hello, You my find a picture of this aircraft (1978) here : https://www.flickr.com/photos/skyhawkpc/51118185656/in/photostream/ More of the same one at later years and of similar types at different times are available as well. Edited November 13, 2021 by AV O Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marcel Drgon Posted November 13, 2021 Author Share Posted November 13, 2021 Thanks guys, nothing as easy as one thinks. Why do I have to open another can of worms? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BillS Posted November 14, 2021 Share Posted November 14, 2021 This is an easy one. The headrest conversion began around 1977. This incorporated a drogue chute that gave the Northrop seat a zero altitude, 75 knot capability. The main wheels would be solid and the nose wheel could be solid or spoked. I was assigned to the 64FTW at Reese AFB from May ‘78 til June ‘81. When I arrived in ‘78 there were a tiny number of old style seats. The slotted mains came along long after I left. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marcel Drgon Posted November 15, 2021 Author Share Posted November 15, 2021 Thanks. Headrest and wheels are obviously clear now, but troubles are the possible residues of the USAF markings in the NAVY service as mentioned by efd327. You never know what pops up, once you start asking. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SCOUT712 Posted May 2, 2023 Share Posted May 2, 2023 To bring that topic up again. Would the USAF markings under the left wing be black or dark blue? I only have a BW pic of McKeown's and Ensch's T-38 (the Furball sheet shows it at a later stage with McKeown's name removed since he left Topgun) which shows part of the USAF markings on the left main wheel door. B/r Michael Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Murph Posted May 4, 2023 Share Posted May 4, 2023 On 5/2/2023 at 9:25 AM, SCOUT712 said: To bring that topic up again. Would the USAF markings under the left wing be black or dark blue? I only have a BW pic of McKeown's and Ensch's T-38 (the Furball sheet shows it at a later stage with McKeown's name removed since he left Topgun) which shows part of the USAF markings on the left main wheel door. B/r Michael Every T-38 I flew in the white scheme had the USAF markings in insignia blue. Regards, Murph Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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