Northrop T-38 Talon#Variants

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File:STS-3 landing.jpg as it lands at Northrop Strip in White Sands, New Mexico, ending its mission STS-3.]]

File:T-38 in flight over Dry Lake.jpg's T-38 in flight over Cuddeback Dry Lake in Southern California]]

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File:T-38.JPG colours at Air Base No. 11 (BA11 – Beja)]]

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File:X-15 and B-52 Mother ship.jpg in flight attached to a B-52 mother ship, with a T-38 chase plane, 1961]]

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In 1952, Northrop began work on a fighter project, the N-102 Fang, with shoulder-mounted delta wing and a single engine.Johnsen 2006, pp. 5–6. The proposed General Electric J79 engine, weighing nearly two tons, meant the resulting aircraft would be large and expensive.Eden 2004, p. 344. During 1953, representatives from General Electric Aviation's newly created Small Aircraft Engine Department showed Northrop a relatively compact engine, around 400 lb (0.18 ton) installed weight, capable of 2,500 lb of thrust. Upon seeing the engine, Northrop VP-Engineering Edgar Schmued saw the possibility of reversing the trend toward the large fighters.

Schmued and chief engineer Welko Gasich decided on a small, twin-engined "hot-rod" fighter, the N-156. Northrop launched its N-156 project in 1954, aiming for a small, supersonic fighter jet capable of operating from the US Navy's escort carriers. When the Navy chose not to pursue equipping its fleets in such a fashion, favoring large fleet carriers instead, Northrop opted to continue work on the N-156 using in-house funding. It was instead recast as a lightweight fighter, referred to as the N-156F, that was primarily aimed at the export market.Garrison August/September 2005, p. 60.

In the mid-1950s, the USAF issued a general operating requirement for a supersonic trainer, seeking to retire its 1940s-era Lockheed T-33s for an aircraft better suited to training pilots to fly its high speed fighter aircraft. Northrop officials decided to adapt the N-156 to this competition. The only other candidate was the two-seat version of the North American F-100 Super Sabre. Although the F-100 was not considered the ideal candidate for a training aircraft (it is not capable of recovering from a spin),Due to its elongated fuselage – the pilot's operating handbook for the two-seat version contains an instruction to avoid spins. NAA was still considered the favorite in the competition due to that company's favored-contractor status with the USAF, but Northrop officials presented lifecycle cost comparisons that proved to be highly persuasive amongst USAF officials. Accordingly, Northrop was awarded an initial contract in June 1956 to produce three prototypes, designated YT-38.Garrison August/September 2005, p. 61.

On 10 April 1959, the first YT-38 performed its maiden flight at the hands of test pilot Lew Nelson.{{cite web |url = http://www.defencetalk.com/northrop-marks-50th-anniversary-of-t-38-talon-first-flight-17679/ |title = Northrop marks the 50th anniversary of T-38 Talon first flight |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120406231047/http://www.defencetalk.com/northrop-marks-50th-anniversary-of-t-38-talon-first-flight-17679/ |archive-date = 6 April 2012 |publisher = defencetalk.com |date = 14 April 2009 |access-date = 21 August 2011}}

The type was quickly adopted. The first production examples were delivered in 1961, entering service on 17 March 1961, complementing the Cessna T-37 Tweet primary jet trainer. When production ended in 1972, 1,187 T-38s had been built, plus two N-156T prototypes. Since its introduction, an estimated 50,000 military pilots have trained on this aircraft. The USAF remains one of the few armed flying forces using dedicated supersonic final trainers, as most, such as the US Navy, use high-subsonic trainers.

During 1962, the T-38 set absolute time-to-climb records for 3,000, 6,000, 9,000, and 12,000 meters, beating the records for those altitudes set by the F-104 in December 1958. The F-4 Phantom beat the T-38's records less than a month later.

The majority of T-38s built were of the T-38A variant. The USAF had a small number of aircraft converted for weapons training, designated AT-38B, which were fitted with a gunsight and could carry a gun pod, rockets, or bombs on a centerline pylon. By the end of September 2017, 503 T-38s were still operational with the USAF,{{Cite web |url = http://www.airforcemag.com/MagazineArchive/Magazine%20Documents/2018/June%202018/Air%20Force%20Magazine%202018%20USAF%20Almanac.pdf |title = USAF Almanac 2018 |access-date = 28 November 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190507185005/http://www.airforcemag.com/MagazineArchive/Magazine%20Documents/2018/June%202018/Air%20Force%20Magazine%202018%20USAF%20Almanac.pdf |archive-date = 7 May 2019 |url-status = live }} while many more remained in operation around the world.

Most of the USAF's aircraft, T-38A and AT-38B, have been converted to the T-38C through an avionics upgrade program. Improvements include the addition of a head-up display, global satellite positioning, inertial navigation system, and traffic collision avoidance system. Most aircraft have received a propulsion modification to improve low-altitude engine thrust. Around a third of the fleet, those that experience more severe usage, are currently undergoing structural replacements and upgrades, as well as receiving new wings, to extend their service life to 2029.

The fighter version of the N-156 was selected for the US Military Assistance Program and produced as the F-5 Freedom Fighter. Many of these have since reverted to a weapons-training role, as various air forces have introduced newer types into service. The F-5G was an advanced single-engined variant later renamed the F-20 Tigershark. In 2018, the Iranian Air Force announced that an outwardly similar aircraft, named the Kowsar, had been constructed within Iran.{{cite news |url = https://www.forces.net/news/new-fighter-jet-unveiled-iranian-military |title = New Fighter Jet Unveiled By Iranian Military |publisher = British Forces Broadcasting Service |work = Forces Network |date = 21 August 2018 |access-date = 29 September 2019}}{{cite news |title = Iran unveils new domestically-produced fighter jet |url = https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-middle-east-45259586/iran-unveils-new-domestically-produced-fighter-jet |access-date = 29 September 2018 |agency = BBC News |date = 21 August 2018}}{{cite news |title = Eyeing U.S., Iran unveils new fighter jet |url = https://www.reuters.com/video/2018/08/21/eyeing-us-iran-unveils-new-fighter-jet?videoId=456814443 |access-date = 29 September 2019 |work = Reuters |date = 22 August 2018}}

The Northrop T-38 Talon is of a conventional configuration, with a small, low-mounted, long-chord wing, a single vertical stabilizer, and tricycle undercarriage. The cockpit accommodates a student pilot and instructor in a tandem seating arrangement. The flight controls were hydraulically-powered and lacked manual reversion, and thus the aircraft would be unflyable in the event of both engines failing mid-flight.

Its handling was relatively conventional and viceless. While it was originally considered to be too easy to fly compared with frontline fighters of the 1960s, by the twenty-first century, it had become regarded as the most challenging aircraft in the USAF's inventory.Garrison August/September 2005, p. 62. The aircraft's nimble performance earned it the nickname "white rocket". It had been considered by trainee pilots to be a somewhat unforgiving aircraft from an aerodynamic standpoint.

The T-38 can be visually distinguished from both the F-5B and F-5F, which are also derived from the N-156, by the wings. The wing of the T-38 meets the fuselage straight and ends square, while the F-5 has leading edge extensions near the wing roots and wingtip launch rails for air-to-air missiles. The wings of both the T-38 and the F-5 family use conventional skin over spar-rib structure.TO 1T-38A-4, USAF T-38 Tech Order. The T-38's wings were originally designed to withstand 7.33-G loads and for a fatigue life of 4,000 flight hours. This proved sufficient for the majority of the training syllabus, but was a major limiting factor when the aircraft was used for aggressive dogfighting-style maneuvering. Incidents of wing tips separating mid-flight were reported. Northrop resolved this via the installation of new wings with thickened skins.

Throughout the development process, a strict weight control regime was exercised by the design team. This was one reason for the T-38's relative simplicity; only basic systems for navigation and communication were provided. No fuel was housed within the wings while no provision for external stores was made. The aircraft's twin General Electric J85-5A turbojet engines were accommodated within the fuselage to exert less drag and produce fewer aerodynamic disturbances. The J85-5A engine, despite generating up to 3,850 lb of static thrust, was relatively compact and lightweight for the era, weighing less than 600 pounds. Air was supplied to the engines via intakes at the wing roots. A twin-engine arrangement had been pursued to provide a greater margin of safety.

Various design decisions were taken and features were incorporated to simplify the T-38 and make it as easy to maintain as possible. To avoid removing the vertical fin while changing an engine, the fin was attached directly to the keel structure between the engines. The horizontal stabilizer, along with the entire aft shell of the fuselage that surrounds the engines, could then be removed relatively easily by undoing several fasteners that held the fuselage shell together, and disconnecting two push rods that connected the pilot's control stick to the horizontal stabilizer's hydraulic actuators.

To avoid having to break and reconnect multiple hydraulic lines during an engine swap, designers mounted the hydraulic pump and other accessory drives on the fuselage which joined to the engine by a short driveshaft. Several internal check valves prevented a loss of hydraulic fluid. The engines hung from rails on either side of the central keel. This design enabled ground crews to remove and replace an engine in roughly one hour.

The USAF Strategic Air Command (SAC) had T-38s in service from 1978 until SAC's 1991 inactivation. These aircraft were used to enhance the career development of bomber and tanker copilots through the Accelerated Copilot Enrichment Program. They were later used as proficiency aircraft for all B-52, B-1, Lockheed SR-71, U-2, Boeing KC-135, and KC-10 pilots. SAC's successors, the Air Combat Command (ACC) and the Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) retain T-38s as proficiency aircraft for U-2 pilots and B-2 pilots, respectively.

The Air Training Command's successor, the Air Education and Training Command (AETC), uses the T-38C to prepare pilots for the F-15C Eagle and F-15E Strike Eagle, the F-16 Fighting Falcon, B-52 Stratofortress, B-1B Lancer, B-2 Spirit, A-10 Thunderbolt, F-22 Raptor, and F-35 Lightning II. The AETC received T-38Cs in 2001 as part of the Avionics Upgrade Program. The T-38Cs owned by the AETC have undergone propulsion modernization, which replaces major engine components to enhance reliability and maintainability, and an engine inlet/injector modification to increase available takeoff thrust. These upgrades and modifications, with the Pacer Classic program, were to extend the service life of T-38s past 2020. The T-38 has an availability goal of 75%, which it maintained in 2011. In 2015, its availability was 60%.{{cite news |first = Amy |last = Butler |url = http://aviationweek.com/defense/t-x-competition-fierce-despite-gd-alenia-split |title = T-X Competition Fierce Despite GD, Alenia Split |work = Aviation Week & Space Technology |date = 6 April 2015 |access-date = 7 April 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150407211453/http://aviationweek.com/defense/t-x-competition-fierce-despite-gd-alenia-split |archive-date = 7 April 2015 |url-status = live}}

After graduating from basic flying on the Cessna T-37 Tweet, pilots were trained on more advanced aspects, including supersonic flight, blind flying, formation flight, handling stalls, single-engine flight procedures, low speed flight, and landing techniques.Garrison August/September 2005, p. 59. Prior to the USAF ceasing the practice of trainees flying within icy conditions, the T-38's engines were prone to being damaged by ingesting ice. The relatively small engine intakes are also known to be problematic when flown at low speeds under 'hot and high' conditions.Garrison August/September 2005, p. 63.

The landing gear's brakes have been criticised for being relatively weak, one of several factors that necessitates care while landing. Several incidents, including fatalities, have occurred due to imprecise management of the throttles and air speed during landing attempts. Despite these factors, the T-38 has been regarded as a relatively safe trainer aircraft even into the twenty-first century. Between 1961 and 2005, the fleet has cumulatively flown 25 million hours, during which 150 of the 1,187 T-38s built between 1961 and 1972 were recorded as lost, resulting in 45 deaths.Garrison August/September 2005, p. 64.

Besides the USAF and the USN, other military operators of the T-38 have included the German Air Force, the Portuguese Air Force, the Republic of China Air Force, and the Turkish Air Force.

During late 2010, the USAF launched the T-X program to procure a replacement for its T-38s.{{cite web |url = http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=awst&id=news/awst/2010/09/20/AW_09_20_2010_p30-255290.xml |title = USAF Braces For Fiscal Bombardment |publisher = AW & ST |date = 20 September 2010}} Bidders included a joint venture of BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce, offering the Hawk trainer, equipped with Rolls' Adour Mk951 engine with FADEC. Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries, offered the T-50. Raytheon and Alenia Aermacchi offered the T-100, an aircraft whose design originated with the M-346.Power play, The World column, AW & ST, 16 September 2013, p. 12.

Boeing and Saab offered a new-technology design powered by the General Electric F404 turbofan engine. The Boeing/Saab bid first flew in December 2016. It was declared the winner of the T-X competition in September 2018.{{cite web |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-wins-92b-t-x-trainer-contract-with-usaf-452263/ |title = Boeing wins $9.2b T-X trainer contract with USAF |last=Reim |first=Garrett |date = 27 September 2018 |access-date = 28 September 2018 |location = Los Angeles |publisher = Flight International |website = FlightGlobal.com |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180928142729/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-wins-92b-t-x-trainer-contract-with-usaf-452263/ |archive-date = 28 September 2018 |url-status = live}}

NASA operates a fleet of 32 T-38 trainers.{{cite web |url = http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/AcftRef_Results.aspx?Mfrtxt=&Modeltxt=T38&PageNo=1 |title = Aircraft – Make / Model Results: Northrop T-38 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120112114453/http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/AcftRef_Results.aspx?Mfrtxt=&Modeltxt=T38&PageNo=1 |archive-date = 12 January 2012 |publisher = Federal Aviation Administration |access-date = 21 August 2011}} The fleet is typically used to train its astronauts and as a chase plane. NASA's fleet is housed primarily at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. NASA's internal projections showed the number of operational jet trainers falling to 16 by 2015. The agency spends $25–30 million annually to fly and maintain the T-38s.{{cite web |last = Creech |first = Gray |url = http://www.nasa.gov/missions/research/T-38.html |title = T-38 Supersonic Trainer Jet Gets New Home |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110802045948/http://www.nasa.gov/missions/research/T-38.html |archive-date = 2 August 2011 |publisher = NASA |access-date = 21 August 2011}}

In 1966, two Project Gemini astronauts, Elliot See and Charles Bassett, died when their T-38 hit the roof of a McDonnell Douglas fabrication building at Lambert Field in St. Louis. Visibility was poor, but a later investigation concluded that the cause of the crash was likely pilot error.{{cite web |url=http://www.americaspace.com/2012/03/05/a-bad-call-the-accident-which-almost-lost-project-gemini/ |title="A Bad Call": The Accident Which Almost Lost Project Gemini |last=Evans |publisher=AmericaSpace |first=Ben |date=March 5, 2012 |access-date=July 20, 2020 |archive-date=September 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930092429/https://www.americaspace.com/2012/03/05/a-bad-call-the-accident-which-almost-lost-project-gemini/ |url-status=live }}

During the Space Shuttle era, an established NASA tradition was for astronauts to arrive at the Kennedy Space Center in T-38 Talons.{{Cite web |url = http://www.universetoday.com/83456/discoverys-final-crew-arrives-at-nasas-kennedy-space-center/ |title = Discovery's final crew arrives at NASA's Kennedy Space Center |date = 20 February 2011 |access-date = 9 March 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170312033413/http://www.universetoday.com/83456/discoverys-final-crew-arrives-at-nasas-kennedy-space-center/ |archive-date = 12 March 2017 |url-status = live}}

Seven privately owned T-38s are in the U.S. Boeing owns two T-38s, which are used as chase planes. Thornton Corporation owns two T-38s, and the National Test Pilot School owns one T-38. Two others are in private ownership.

File:US Navy Northrop DT-38A Talon at NAS Miramar in 1974.jpg "TOPGUN", 1974]]

• N-156T: Northrop company designation.
• YT-38: Prototypes, two built with YJ85-GE-1 engines, later designated YT-38A and four pre-production aircraft with YJ-85-GE-5 engines, later designated T-38A.Andrade 1979, p. 167.
• T-38A: Two-seat advanced training aircraft, production model, 1,139 built.
• T-38A(N): Two-seat astronaut training version for NASA. See T-38N below.
• DT-38A: A number of US Navy T-38As were converted into drone directors.
• GT-38A: Permanently grounded aircraft, often due to flight or ground mishap, converted into ground procedural trainers or aircraft maintenance trainers.
• NT-38A: A small number of T-38As were converted into research and test aircraft.
• QT-38A: Unmanned target drone aircraft.
• AT-38B: Two-seat weapons training aircraft.
• T-38C: A T-38A with structural and avionics upgrades.{{cite web |url = http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=126 |title = T-38 TALON Fact Sheet |work = U.S. Air Force |date = 2 May 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130602210659/http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=126 |archive-date = 2 June 2013}}
• T-38M: Modernized Turkish Air Force T-38As with full glass cockpit and avionics, upgraded by Turkish Aerospace Industries under the project codename "ARI" ({{langx|tr|Arı}}, for Bee).{{cite web |url = http://export.ssm.gov.tr/content/productDetails.aspx?ID=124 |title = Modifications & Modernization T-38 Avionics Modernization Program |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110815232233/http://export.ssm.gov.tr/content/productDetails.aspx?ID=124 |archive-date = 15 August 2011 |publisher = Turkish International Cooperation and Export Activities |access-date = 21 August 2011}}
• T-38N: Former USAF T-38As bailed to NASA and T-38As directly assigned to NASA that received an Avionics Upgrade Program (AUP), modernizing communications and navigation systems, replacing outdated avionics, and adding a weather radar, flight management system, altitude alert systems, and modern controls and displays.{{cite web |url = http://www.airliners.net/photo/NASA/Northrop-T-38N-Talon/1874670/ |title = NASA T-38N Hangar, Ellington Field |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141219051540/http://www.airliners.net/photo/NASA/Northrop-T-38N-Talon/1874670/ |archive-date = 19 December 2014 |website = airliners.net}}
• ST-38 or N-205: A proposal to be fitted with 3 rocket engines in the 10,000lb thrust range burning hydrogen peroxide and JP-5, capable of Mach 3.2 and a maximum altitude of 200,000 feet (61,000 m) and only requiring modification to 25% of the airframe. It was to be used for training astronauts as part of the ARPS (Aerospace Research Flight School). It was first proposed in May 1958 and then again in 1963, however the Air Force showed no interest and instead selected the NF-104A ."Northrop Space Trainer". The Aeroplane, 3 April 1959, p. 393.{{Cite web |last=Landis |first=Tony |date=24 November 2021 |title=Flashback: Lockheed NF-104A Aerospace Trainer |url=https://www.afmc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2854337/flashback-lockheed-nf-104a-aerospace-trainer/ |website=United States Air Force Material Command}}
• T-38 VTOL Proposed vertical takeoff variant with four lift nozzles behind the pilot.{{Cite web |year=1967 |title=Conceptual Design Study Report NOR 67-6R |url=http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19680004577_1968004577.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524071806/http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19680004577_1968004577.pdf |archive-date=24 May 2010 |website=ntrs.nasa.gov}}

File:20141026 T-38 Talon Alliance Air Show 2014-2.jpg

File:2019 Fort Worth Alliance Air Show 144 (Northrop T-38 Talon).jpg

;{{GER}}

• German Air Force – 46 T-38A in 1968, now upgraded to T-38C. All aircraft are stationed at Sheppard AFB, Texas and are painted in US markings.{{cite web

|url = https://www.geschichte.luftwaffe.de/portal/a/geschlw/start/waffe/schulfz/talon/!ut/p/z1/hY4xD4IwFIR_iwNrX4GA4AZxUSEx0Sh0MQVqwVRKSqX-fGuYTDTe9u59dzkgUADp6dRxqjvZU2HvkoSXNMqOmRd7XnaK13jj5rsgjlMvCl04_wOIfeMfSjAcGgal7Vj-7MgtBATIjU70iQaptGAa0fq9EMqW9o1ge1kns7EFwoWs5ulJX_kRB6LYlSmm0ENZu9V6GFcOdrAxBnEpuWCoYQ7-lmjlqKH4AGG4Fwb7gZiyZPEC6mtqRg!!/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/#Z7_B8LTL2922LV9D0I1MK599B28M0last-flight.html |title = Luftwaffe History |access-date = 26 September 2019 |website = Geschichte der Luftwaffe }}

;{{TUR}}

• Turkish Air Force – 68 T-38M in service.{{Cite web |title = 2025 World Air Forces directory |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/2025-world-air-forces-directory/160846.article |access-date = 22 April 2025 |website = Flight Global |language = en}}

;{{USA}}

• United States Air Force – 485 T-38 trainers in service {{As of|2024|12|lc=y}}.
• United States Navy – 10 aircraft in use {{As of|2024|12|lc=y}}.
• United States Naval Test Pilot School{{citation needed|date=November 2017}}{{Cite web |title = T-38 Talon |url = https://www.navair.navy.mil/product/t-38-talon |access-date = 27 April 2022 |website = www.navair.navy.mil}}
• NASA – approximately 32 aircraft transferred from USAF{{citation needed|date=November 2017}}

;{{POR}}

• Portuguese Air Force – 12 aircraft in 1977. Initially operated by 201 Sqn. "Falcões" (Falcons) at Air Base No. 5, in 1980 they were transferred to 103 Sqn. "Caracóis" (Snails) being stationed in Air Base No. 11. They were retired in 1993, replaced by Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet{{cite web |last = Sanzani |first = Matteo |date = January 17, 2018 |title = Portugal Retires Alpha Jet |url = https://www.blogbeforeflight.net/2018/01/portuguese-air-force-alpha-jet-farewell-ceremony-last-flight.html |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180710071219/https://www.blogbeforeflight.net/2018/01/portuguese-air-force-alpha-jet-farewell-ceremony-last-flight.html |archive-date = 10 July 2018 |access-date = 26 September 2019 |website = blogbeforeflight.net}}

;{{ROK}}

• Republic of Korea Air Force – 30 T-38A from the US in April 1999. All units were returned to the US by 2009 after near completion of production of T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic trainer.{{cite web |date = 19 January 2011 |title = T-38s Reborn |url = https://airforcesmonthly.keypublishing.com/2011/01/19/t-38s-reborn/ |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180830210209/https://airforcesmonthly.keypublishing.com/2011/01/19/t-38s-reborn/ |archive-date = 30 August 2018 |access-date = 30 August 2018 |website = Air Forces Monthly |publisher = Key Publishing Limited}}

;{{TWN-ROC}}

• Republic of China Air Force – former operator, all aircraft returned to the US in 1998.{{cite web |date=April 13, 2008 |title=Taiwan Air Power |url=http://www.taiwanairpower.org/af/f5.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091121120004/http://www.taiwanairpower.org/af/f5.html |archive-date=November 21, 2009 |access-date=August 30, 2018 |website=TaiwanAirPower.org}}

More than 210 aircraft losses and ejections have been documented over the lifetime of the T-38.{{cite web |url=http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/Aircraft_by_Type/t_38_talon.htm |title=Northrop T-38 Losses and Ejections |access-date=September 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121012309/http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/Aircraft_by_Type/t_38_talon.htm |archive-date=November 21, 2014 |url-status=dead}} The USAF has recorded 149 fatalities since operations began in 1960.{{cite web |title=USAF T38 Flight Statistics EOY |url=https://www.safety.af.mil/Portals/71/documents/Aviation/Aircraft%20Statistics/T-38.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119093048/http://www.safety.af.mil/Portals/71/documents/Aviation/Aircraft%20Statistics/T-38.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 19, 2016 |website=USAF |access-date=27 October 2022}}

• 19 February 1962 – The first crash of a T-38 occurred, near Webb AFB, Texas. One pilot was killed, and one occupant ejected safely.{{Cite web |title=Accident Northrop T-38A , Monday 19 February 1962 |url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/276335 |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=asn.flightsafety.org}}
• 31 October 1964 – Astronaut Theodore Freeman was killed as a result of a bird strike on a NASA operated T-38.[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_mMhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=54YFAAAAIBAJ&dq=theodore%20freeman&pg=2525%2C4569 "Crash Kills Astronaut."] Richland, WA – Tri City Herald, 1 November 1964{{Dead link|date=August 2018}}[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YqYyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NOkFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1474,394194 "Goose Hit Jet, Killing Astronaut."] The Miami News, 17 November 1964{{Dead link|date=August 2018}}
• 28 February 1966 (1966 NASA T-38 crash) – Astronauts Elliot See and Charles Bassett were killed when they struck a building in fog.[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Zf4cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EpsEAAAAIBAJ&dq=see%20bassett%20crash&pg=6560%2C4113604 "2 Astronauts Die In Plane Crash."] The Tuscaloosa News, 28 February 1966[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=E20eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=S8kEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2560,5750 "See – Bassett Backup Crew Gets Gemini."] Daytona Beach, FL – Morning Journal newspaper, 1 March 1966
• 5 October 1967 – Astronaut Clifton "C.C." Williams was killed in a crash of a NASA operated T-38 due to an aileron jam.[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BcIwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MFcDAAAAIBAJ&dq=williams%20crash&pg=7184%2C1086744 "Williams Wanted To Be First On The Moon."] St. Petersburg, FL -Evening Independent newspaper, 6 October 1967[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4OYhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5GUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5402,1608439 "Board Pinpoints Astronaut's Death."] Sarasota, FL – Herald-Tribune newspaper, 7 June 1968
• 18 January 1982 – Diamond Crash – Four T-38As of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds crashed while practicing for an airshow. After this crash, the T-38 was replaced in this role by the front line F-16A Fighting Falcon.
• 21 May 2009 – One pilot was killed and the other ejected with serious injuries after a rudder malfunction caused the crash of a USAF T38A.{{cite web |title=Air Force Releases Results of T-38 Accident Investigation |url=https://www.edwards.af.mil/News/Article/395557/air-force-releases-results-of-t-38-accident-investigation/ |website=Edwards Air Force Base |date=13 October 2009 |access-date=9 November 2022}}
• 19 July 2013 – The plane went down south of Sheppard Air Force Base at approximately 6:48 a.m., near Pecanway Drive and Horton Lane in Wichita County and the pilots ejected safely with minor injuries.{{Cite web |date=2013-07-19 |title=Sheppard responds to T-38 crash |url=https://www.sheppard.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/639240/sheppard-responds-to-t-38-crash/https://www.sheppard.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/639240/sheppard-responds-to-t-38-crash/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Sheppard Air Force Base |language=en-US}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
• 21 November 2019 – Two pilots killed during a collision while landing.{{Cite journal |date=21 November 2019 |title=United States Air Force Aircraft Investigation Board Report |url=https://www.afjag.af.mil/Portals/77/AIB-Reports/2019/T-38%20AIB%20Report_11March.pdf |journal=USAF Accident Board |volume=1 |issue=1}}
• 19 February 2021 – The two-person USAF crew of a T-38 was killed in a landing crash near Montgomery Regional Airport in Alabama. The aircraft was assigned to the USAF 14th Flying Training Wing at Columbus AFB, Mississippi. The crash was later attributed to pilot error.{{cite web |last1=Cohen |first1=Rachel |title=Pilots' errors upon descent led to fatal T-38 crash in February, Air Force says |url=https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2021/10/10/pilots-errors-upon-descent-led-to-fatal-t-38-crash-in-february-air-force-says/ |website=Air Force Times |access-date=28 December 2022 |language=en |date=10 October 2021}}
• 19 November 2021 – Two aircraft collided on approach to Laughlin Air Force base, resulting in the death of one student.{{Cite web |last=Novelly |first=Thomas |date=2022-05-27 |title=T-38 Crash That Killed Student Pilot in Texas Caused by Miscommunication, Leading to Change in Formation Landing Rules |url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/05/26/t-38-crash-killed-student-pilot-texas-caused-miscommunication-leading-change-formation-landing-rules.html |access-date=2022-10-27 |website=Military.com |language=en}}
• 7 November 2022 – A T-38C crashed near Columbus AFB, Mississippi, with one pilot safely ejecting.{{cite web |agency=Associated Press |title=T-38 crashes near Air Force training base in Mississippi |url=https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2022/11/07/t-38-crashes-near-air-force-training-base-in-mississippi/ |website=Air Force Times |access-date=9 November 2022 |language=en |date=7 November 2022}}

File:Frontiers of Flight Museum December 2015 099 (Northrop T-38 Talon).jpg]]

File:T-38 Talon Kennedy Space Center 2019.jpg]]

File:N999NA Northrop T-38 Talon.jpg]]

File:Three T-38 Planes at Owatonna Degner Regional Airport, Minnesota (29173873334).jpg, Minnesota]]

;YT-38A

• 58-1192 – South Dakota Air and Space Museum at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20170806170528/http://www.sdairandspacemuseum.com/exhibits "T-38 Talon/58-1192."]}} South Dakota Air and Space Museum. Retrieved 12 April 2013

;T-38A

• 58-1196 – California Science Center, in Los Angeles, California{{cite web |url=http://californiasciencecenter.org/exhibits/air-space/air-aircraft/northrop-t-38-talon |title=Northrop T-38 Talon |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623230917/http://californiasciencecenter.org/exhibits/air-space/air-aircraft/northrop-t-38-talon |archive-date=June 23, 2015 |publisher=California Science Center |url-status=live}}
• 59-1600 – Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport{{cite web |url=http://stanakshot.free.fr/photos/USA-air-force/Northrop-T-38A-Talon/10964 |title=Northrop T-38A Talon USAF 82FTW |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623230917/http://californiasciencecenter.org/exhibits/air-space/air-aircraft/northrop-t-38-talon |archive-date=June 23, 2015 |publisher=stanakshot |url-status=live}}
• 59-1601 – On base display, Air University area, Maxwell AFB, Alabama{{cite web |url=http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=30251&start=0 |title=Maxwell AFB Display Aircraft |access-date=September 26, 2019 |website=Warbird Information Exchange |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914022357/http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=30251&start=0 |archive-date=2014-09-14 |url-status=live}}
• 59-1602 – On base display, United States Air Force Academy, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Painted as "Thunderbird 1"
• 59-1604 – National Naval Aviation Museum, NAS Pensacola, Florida; former USAF aircraft bailed to USN and utilized by the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland.{{cite web |url=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fc/Northrop_T-38_Talon,_Naval_Aviation_Museum,_Pensacola,_Florida.jpg |title=USNTPS T-38 at Wikipedia Commons |publisher=Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150302012243/http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fc/Northrop_T-38_Talon,_Naval_Aviation_Museum,_Pensacola,_Florida.jpg |archive-date=March 2, 2015 |url-status=live}}
• 59-1605 – On base display, USAF Airman Heritage Museum, Lackland AFB, Texas{{cite web |url=http://www.aero-web.org/museums/tx/htm.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990831090701/http://www.aero-web.org/museums/tx/htm.htm |website=aero-web |title=Lackland Air Force Base USAF History and Traditions Museum |publisher=Aviation Enthusiast Corner |archive-date=August 31, 1999 |url-status=dead}}
• 60-0549 – Prairie Aviation Museum, in Bloomington, Illinois[http://prairieaviationmuseum.org/exhibits/aircraft/northrop-t-38a-talon/ "T-38 Talon/60-0549."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016002017/http://prairieaviationmuseum.org/exhibits/aircraft/northrop-t-38a-talon/ |date=2013-10-16 }} Prairie Aviation Museum. Retrieved 12 April 2013
• 60-0551 – On display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC{{Cite web|url=https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/going-subsonic-moving-t-38-talon|title=Going Subsonic: Moving the T-38 Talon|date=2019-03-27|website=National Air and Space Museum|language=en|access-date=2020-03-11}}
• 60-0558 – American Legion Post 233 in Edinburgh, Indiana[https://www.flickr.com/photos/lunken_spotter/11897721614/ "GT-38A Talon 60-0558 in Edinburgh."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219064138/https://www.flickr.com/photos/lunken_spotter/11897721614/ |date=2014-12-19 }} Talon in Edinburgh
• 60-0570 – Edward F. Beale Museum, Beale AFB, California{{cite web |url= http://www.aero-web.org/museums/ca/efbm.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141121201559/http://www.aero-web.org/museums/ca/efbm.htm |website=aero-web |title=Edward F. Beale Museum |publisher=Aviation Enthusiast Corner |archive-date=November 21, 2014 |url-status=dead}}
• 60-0573 – On display, Owatonna Degner Regional Airport, Owatonna, Minnesota (with 60-0589 and 61–0828)
• 60-0574 – On base display, Laughlin AFB, Texas{{cite web |url=http://www.aero-web.org/museums/tx/lafbtx.htm |title=Laughlin AFB |access-date=September 14, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140917071217/http://www.aero-web.org/museums/tx/lafbtx.htm |archive-date=September 17, 2014 |website= aero-web}}
• 60-0583- On display, Mid-America Flight Museum, Liberal, Kansas
• 60-0589 – On display, Owatonna Degner Regional Airport, Owatonna, Minnesota (with 60-0573 and 61–0828)
• 61-0817 – Oklahoma Welcome Station, adjacent to Tinker AFB, Oklahoma.[http://www.warbirdregistry.org/jetregistry/t38-610817.html "T-38 Talon/61-0817."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003133209/http://www.warbirdregistry.org/jetregistry/t38-610817.html |date=2012-10-03 }} Warbird Registry. Retrieved 12 April 2013
• 61-0825 – On display, U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL (as N999NA, not original paint scheme). Appeared on Shipping Wars TV Show being transported to Huntsville, AL from NASA Houston.
• 61-0828 – On display, Owatonna Degner Regional Airport, Owatonna, Minnesota (with 60-0573 and 60–0589)
• 61-0829 – Gallup Municipal Airport, Gallup, New Mexico
• 61-0838 – On base display, in front of Randolph Inn Visiting Officers Quarters (VOQ), Randolph AFB, Texas{{cite web |url=http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=422922 |title= Randolph AFB Aircraft Display |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914022920/http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=422922 |website=Warbird Information Exchange |archive-date=September 14, 2014}}
• 61-0854 – Pima Air and Space Museum, adjacent to Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona, on display in the markings of the 479th Tactical Training Wing at Holloman AFB, NM, circa 1982.{{cite web |url=http://www.pimaair.org/collection-detail.php?cid=217 |title=T-38 Talon/61-0854 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030151723/http://www.pimaair.org/collection-detail.php?cid=217 |access-date=April 12, 2013 |website=Pima Air & Space Museum |archive-date=2013-10-30 |url-status=live}}
• 61-0858 – Sheppard AFB Air Park, Sheppard AFB, Texas{{cite web |url=http://www.aero-web.org/museums/tx/safbap.htm |title=Sheppard AFB Air Park |access-date=September 14, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140917071941/http://www.aero-web.org/museums/tx/safbap.htm |archive-date=September 17, 2014}}
• 61-0902 – Science Spectrum in Lubbock, Texas.[http://www.warbirdregistry.org/jetregistry/t38-610902.html "T-38 Talon/61-0902."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930043551/http://www.warbirdregistry.org/jetregistry/t38-610902.html |date=2012-09-30 }} Warbird Registry. Retrieved 12 April 2013
• 61-0926 – Salina Oklahoma, lawn of American Legion post #240 {{Cite web |url=https://www.salinaok.org/local-attractions |title=Salina, Oklahoma, Local Attractions |access-date=October 1, 2019}}
• 62-3673 – Mason County Airport (Michigan) Construction Number (C/N)- N.5378, built 1962, painted blue and gray camouflage static displayed on a pedestal along US10 showing USAF tail markings of the 434th Fighter Training Squadron when it was located at Holloman Air Force Base between 1977 and 1991
• 63-8125 – Sheppard AFB Air Park, Sheppard AFB, Texas
• 63-8224 – Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon; painted in NASA colors, suspended from the ceiling in the Air and Space Exhibit Hall.[http://www.evergreenmuseum.org/the-museum/aircraft-exhibits/space-flight/ "T-38 Talon/63-8224."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501233836/http://www.evergreenmuseum.org/the-museum/aircraft-exhibits/space-flight/ |date=2013-05-01 }} Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. Retrieved 12 April 2013
• 64-13198 – Hangar 25 Museum, (former Webb AFB) in Big Spring, Texas{{Cite web|title=Aircraft Data 64-13198, 1964 Northrop T-38A Talon C/N N.5627|url=https://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/64-13198.html|access-date=2020-11-12|website=www.airport-data.com}}
• 65-10405 – On base display, Columbus AFB, Mississippi{{cite web |url=http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Air/Northrop-T-38A-Talon/1322457/L/ |title= Northrop T-38A Talon – USA – Air Force |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914043737/http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Air/Northrop-T-38A-Talon/1322457/L/ |website=airliners.net |archive-date=September 14, 2014 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.aero-web.org/museums/ms/cafbms/65-10405.htm |title=Northrop T-38A Talon SN: 65-10405 |access-date=September 13, 2014 |website=aero-web |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025855/http://www.aero-web.org/museums/ms/cafbms/65-10405.htm |archive-date=March 4, 2016}}
• 65-10426 – On base display, Vance AFB, Oklahoma{{cite web |url=http://www.aero-web.org/museums/ok/vafbok/65-10426.htm |title=Northrop T-38A Talon SN: 65-10426 |access-date=September 14, 2014 |website=aero-web |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011082452/http://www.aero-web.org/museums/ok/vafbok/65-10426.htm |archive-date=October 11, 2011}}
• 66-8381 / NASA 901 (N901NA) – Assigned directly to NASA as the second NASA T-38 to be designated as 'NASA 901' and 'N901NA'; on display at Aviation Heritage Park, Bowling Green, Kentucky{{cite web |url=http://aviationheritagepark.com/nasa-t-38-talon/ |title=NASA T-38 Talon |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029152427/http://aviationheritagepark.com/nasa-t-38-talon/ |website=Aviation Heritage Park |archive-date=October 29, 2014 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |last=Wilson |first=Laurel |date=March 23, 2014 |url=http://www.bgdailynews.com/news/nasa-t--talon-plane-arrives-in-bg/article_3436bdee-9d0f-54e8-ab1a-6712ef168527.html |title=NASA T-38 Talon plane arrives in BG |work=Bowling Green Daily News |access-date=October 1, 2019}}

;GT-38A

• 60-0592 – Dyess Linear Air Park, Dyess AFB, Texas{{cite web |url=http://www.aero-web.org/museums/tx/dlap.htm |title=Dyess Linear Air Park |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990831081914/http://www.aero-web.org/museums/tx/dlap.htm |website=aero-web |archive-date=August 31, 1999 |url-status=dead}}
• 60-0593 – March Field Air Museum at March ARB (former March AFB) in Riverside, California, on display in Thunderbirds markings.[http://www.marchfield.org/gt38a.htm "T-38 Talon/60-0593."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108162031/http://www.marchfield.org/gt38a.htm |date=2012-01-08 }} March Field Air Museum. Retrieved 12 April 2013
• 61-0824 – Hill Aerospace Museum adjacent to Hill AFB, Utah.[http://www.hill.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5784 "T-38 Talon/61-0824."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130423192331/http://www.hill.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5784 |date=2013-04-23 }} Hill Aerospace Museum. Retrieved 12 April 2013

;AT-38B

• 60-0576 – On base display, Holloman AFB, New Mexico.[http://www.warbirdregistry.org/jetregistry/t38-600576.html "T-38 Talon/60-0576."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926073947/http://www.warbirdregistry.org/jetregistry/t38-600576.html |date=2012-09-26 }} Warbird Registry. Retrieved 12 April 2013
• 65-10441 – National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. This aircraft was retired in 1991, came to the museum in 1999, and was placed on display in 2004.[http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=398 "T-38 Talon/65-10441."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404162322/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=398 |date=2013-04-04 }} National Museum of the USAF. Retrieved 12 April 2013

;T-38N

• 65-10329 / NASA 969 (N969NA) – On display at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, NASA/John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida{{cite web |url=http://tinfeathers.com/Museum/Airports/NSAS/NASA.htm |title=NASA Space Center Museum |website=tinfeathers.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130412181339/http://www.tinfeathers.com/Museum/Airports/NSAS/NASA.htm |archive-date=April 12, 2013 |url-status=live}}
• 65-10355 / NASA 913 (N913NA) – On display at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, New York, New York[https://www.intrepidmuseum.org/Northrop-T-38N-Talon-Hoisted-to-Flight-Deck "Northrop T-38N Talon Hoisted to Flight Deck"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141554/https://www.intrepidmuseum.org/Northrop-T-38N-Talon-Hoisted-to-Flight-Deck |date=2018-06-12 }} Intrepid Museum. Retrieved 11 July 2018.
• 65-10402 / NASA 968 (N968NA) – On display at Space Center Houston{{cite web |url=http://stanakshot.free.fr/photos/USA-NASA/Northrop-T-38N-Talon/10864 |title=T-38N N968NA |website=stanakshot.free.fr |date=2014-11-02 }}
• 66-8381 / NASA 901 (N901NA) – Assigned directly to NASA as the second NASA T-38 to be designated as NASA 901 and N901NA; on display at Aviation Heritage Park, Bowling Green, Kentucky

File:Northrop T-38A Talon 3-side view.png

{{Aircraft specs

|ref= {{cite web |work=This Day In Aviation |url=https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/general-electric-j85-ge-5/ |title=General Electric J85-GE-5 |date=2024-02-28}}

|prime units?= kts

|crew= 2

|length ft= 46

|length in= 4.5

|length note=

|span ft= 25

|span in= 3

|span note=

|height ft= 12

|height in= 10.5

|height note=

|wing area sqft= 170

|wing area note=

|aspect ratio=

|airfoil=

|empty weight lb= 7,200

|empty weight note=

|gross weight lb= 11,820

|gross weight note=

|max takeoff weight lb= 12,093

|max takeoff weight note=

|fuel capacity=

|more general=

|eng1 number= 2

|eng1 name= General Electric J85-5A

|eng1 type= afterburning turbojet engines

|eng1 lbf= 2,680

|eng1 note= dry, {{cvt|3,850|lbf|kN}} with afterburner

|max speed kts= 746

|max speed note=

|max speed mach= 1.3

|cruise speed kts=

|cruise speed note=

|stall speed kts=

|stall speed note=

|never exceed speed kts=

|never exceed speed note=

|minimum control speed kts=

|minimum control speed note=

|range nmi= 991

|range note=

|combat range nmi=

|combat range note=

|ferry range nmi=

|ferry range note=

|endurance=

|ceiling ft= 50,000

|ceiling note=

|g limits=

|roll rate=

|climb rate ftmin= 33,600

|climb rate note=Even though this value has been printed in USAF outlets for many years, it is probably incorrect. The T-38 time-to-climb record, set in 1962, was three minutes to 30,000 feet. According to Northrop's Roy Martin (quoted on p. 64 of Air & Space/Smithsonian, Vol. 20, No. 3 (August/September 2005)), a normal climb at military power – that is, maximum power without afterburner – is around 6,000 feet/minute.

|time to altitude=

|lift to drag=

|wing loading lb/sqft= 69.53

|wing loading note=

|fuel consumption lb/mi=

|thrust/weight= 0.65

|more performance=

|avionics=

}}

{{aircontent

|see also=

• Boeing T-7 Red Hawk

|related=

• Northrop F-5
• Canadair CF-5
• Northrop F-20 Tigershark

|similar aircraft=

|lists=

• List of active United States military aircraft
• List of spaceflight-related accidents and incidents

}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Refbegin}}

• {{cite book |last = Andrade |first = John |title = U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909 |publisher = Midland Counties Publications |date = 1979 |isbn = 0-904597-22-9}}
• {{cite book |editor-last = Eden |editor-first = Paul |title = Northrop F-5 family Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft |location = London, UK |publisher = Amber Books |date = 2004 |isbn = 1-904687-84-9}}
• {{cite book |last = Garrison |first = Peter |url = https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/white-rocket-7997558/ |title = White Rocket |publisher = Air & Space/Smithsonian Magazine |volume = 20 |number = 3 |date = August–September 2005 |pages = 58–65}}
• {{cite book |last = Johnsen |first = Frederick A. |title = Northrop F-5/F-20/T-38 |location = North Branch, Minnesota |publisher = Specialty Press |date = 2006 |isbn = 1-58007-094-9}}
• {{cite book |last=Shaw |first=Robbie |url=https://archive.org/details/f5warplaneforwor0000shaw/ |title=F-5: Warplane for the World |publisher=Motorbooks International |year=1990 |isbn=9780879384876 |location=Osceola, WI |oclc=22344704 |url-access=registration}}

{{Refend}}

{{Commons category|Northrop T-38 Talon}}

• [http://www.sr-71.org/aircraft/t-38.php T-38 Talon page on SR-71.org]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090605103618/http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/Gallery/Photo/T-38/index.html NASA photo gallery]

{{F-5 family}}

{{Northrop aircraft}}

{{USAF trainer aircraft}}

{{USAF system codes}}

{{Authority control}}

T-038

Category:1950s United States military trainer aircraft

Category:Twinjets

Category:Low-wing aircraft

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1959

Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear