Old Viper Tester Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 (edited) Not usually seen outside of the Sacramento, California area, this T-38, USAF s/n 60-0551, belongs to the flight test section of the Sacramento Air Logistics Center (SM-ALC). It's a unique markings make it one that I'd like to replicate if I ever get those Sword T-38s off the Shelf of Doom. Pics taken on the Edwards AFB transient ramp in August 1983. That ventral red stripe runs all the way back to the exhaust fairing. As the tail logo indicates, the SM-ALC flight test unit concerned itself with F-111 testing, Sacramento being the USAF Logistics Center for the F-111. The 2874th Test Squadron (later the 337th Test Squadron) also operated F-111s 67-0050 and 68-0175 in standard camouflage with similar tail marking. Thanks for looking, Sven Edited January 20, 2018 by Old Viper Tester correcting auto-correct 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 Another great set of pictures Sven, and as you say another aircraft in unique markings which looks very smart. Please keep your pictures coming, they are a fascinating snap shot of life at Edwards in the 80's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted January 9, 2018 Share Posted January 9, 2018 Ah, fantastic ! I've always wanted to build this one since I first saw a picture, thanks a lot for posting ! The close-up of the logo is exactly what I'd need to prepare the artwork for the decal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zebra Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 Fantastic photos. I have a 1/48 Talon in the stash - had thought it would be a NASA aircraft but I might have just changed my mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted January 18, 2018 Share Posted January 18, 2018 that is so shiny! Great pictures as ever Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nachtwulf Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 Beautiful! That is one sharp looking T-38! Thank you for sharing. May I ask, what is the reason for your kit languishing on the shelf of doom? Have you seen the Wolfpack kit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Viper Tester Posted January 20, 2018 Author Share Posted January 20, 2018 (edited) On 1/20/2018 at 9:54 AM, Nachtwulf said: May I ask, what is the reason for your kit languishing on the shelf of doom? Have you seen the Wolfpack kit? Nachtwulf - Yes, I've seen the Wolfpack kit, but it's just not my scale. I don't remember all the problems with the Sword kit, and admittedly all the problems are minor but I just wasn't up to playing with them 12(?) years ago. That was well before I retired from being an F-15 test manager and had an additional duty as the F-15E Flight Manual Manager. The flight manual stuff was giving me grief as we were adding new stores and stores combinations to the Mud Hen in response to feedback and new operational needs for Operation Enduring Freedom. A lot of hours and headaches back then and just never got back to the Talons. Here's what I remember: - No exhaust shroud - incorrect nose gear (F-5?) - Something not right about the main wheels. - All four that I started (way too optimistic) could not get a good fit between the resin lower fuselage and the plastic fuselage parts. My rationale for starting four was I wanted to build the Sacramento bird, an Edwards Test Pilot School bird, and a Holloman (46TG) Roadrunners bird. The fourth was undecided between a support jet for either: Beale AFB SR-71, Palmdale logistics jet (also SR-71), or an Eglin 3246 Test Wing bird. Sven Edited January 24, 2018 by Old Viper Tester typos 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nachtwulf Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 Darn, 1/72. I have a couple of the 1/48 sword kits and I thought I may be able to help you out. I know it can be quite discouraging when the resin and plastic parts don't match up right. I hope you get to finish the T-38 in the above pics as that is one of the sweetest looking schemes I've seen on a T-38. Good luck ,and if I can be of assistance you need only ask. ......also Thanks for your service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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