Pre-Order Hobby Master HA5417 1:72 AT-38B 63-8172, 479 TTW, USAF 1980, On Display NMUSAF Wright Patt AFB

Hobby Master HA5417 1:72 AT-38B "LIFT Trainer" 63-8172, 479 TTW, USAF, 1980s (w/SUU-11B gun pod) On Display NMUSAF Wright Patt AFB.

The first prototype of what would become the Northrop T-38 Talon and F-5 Freedom Fighters flew on April 10, 1959. The first Talon entered service on March 17, 1961 at Randolph AFB. The USAF and NASA used the Talon to help their pilots maintain their proficiency. NASA especially liked the T-38 for its much lower operating and maintenance costs compared to the F-18 they had tried. Because of the low cost to operate the T-38 the USAF Thunderbirds Demonstration Team used them from 1974 - 1983 during the OPEC oil embargo.