| Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Registration / Serial: | 63-8172 |
| Alternate Serial: | 38172 |
| Military Code: | HM |
| Aircraft Original Type: | Northrop T-38 Talon |
| Aircraft Generic Type: | Northrop T-38 Talon |
| Aircraft Version: | Northrop AT-38B Talon |
| C/n (msn): | N5519 |
| Operator Titles: | USA - Air Force |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| City / Airport: | Dayton - Wright-Patterson AFB / Wright AFBMap |
| Region / Country: | Ohio, United States |
| Airport Codes: | ICAO: KDWF IATA: - Local: DWF Other: - |
| Collection: | National Museum of the United States Air Force |
| Photo Date: | 15 December 2024 |
| Photo by: | Richard Vandervord |
| Photo ID: | 821445 |
| Photo Comment |
|---|
|
From looking at earlier images of some aircraft in the museum, it is apparent that their current positioning is less favourable for photography than it once was - this is an example. In the Lead-In-Fighter Trainer (LIFT) program, from 1975 new pilots went directly from T-38s to advanced fighters of an operational squadron. The LIFT program saved costs and reduced the training load on new pilots because they could learn fighter basics in a familiar aircraft. Modified with weapons pylon and gunsight, this Talon became one of the AT-38Bs so used by the 479th TTW (Holloman AFB, NM) till 1991 This photo is copyright © Richard Vandervord, and may not be used or published in any way without permission. It was added on 29 June 2025, and has since been viewed 16 times. |