This historic silent film shows the rollout of the very first T-38 Talon at the Northrop Aircraft Factory in Los Angeles, California, probably in 1960. Air Force brass are in attendance including a figure who appears to be General Curtiss LeMay.The aircraft is a two-seat, twin-engined supersonic jet trainer. It was the world’s first supersonic trainer and is also the most produced. The T-38 remains in service as of 2015 in air forces throughout the world.
The United States Air Force (USAF) operates the most T-38s. In addition to training USAF pilots, the T-38 is used by NASA. The US Naval Test Pilot School is the principal US Navy operator (other T-38s were previously used as USN aggressor aircraft until replaced by the similar Northrop F-5 Tiger II). Pilots of other NATO nations fly the T-38 in joint training programs with USAF pilots.
As of 2015, the T-38 has been in service for over 50 years with its original operator, the United States Air Force.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com