AT-38 @ Sun n Fun
01-22-2010, 01:42 PM
#2
Moderate Moderator
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: Curator at Static Display
Posts: 5,681
Semantics
Flyjets:
It's a T-38C, not an AT-38. Specifically, it belongs to the 50th Flying Training Squadron (my squadron). At the top of the fin, you can see the squadron motto, "Strikin' Snakes," in yellow. I've flown this airplane.
Used to be, UPT jets were white, and AT-38Bs were two-tone blue camoflauge (we called them "Smurf Jets"). Even today, guys call flying a UPT jet a "White Jet" assignment.
About 1999, the Air Force went to the same paint scheme on all T-38s, ostensibly to save money---same contractor, same scheme, more jets.
Today: AT-38Cs have a two-tone grey camoflauge that is a lighter color than the jet in your picture. Fuselage aft of the intakes is mostly one shade, and the forward fuselage is the other. This change started about 2005 or 2006.
What's the difference between an AT-38C and T-38C?
The paint. And the job-code of the IP who flies it.
Back in the day, the AT-38B differed in that it had a 60s-style sight that required actual piloting skill to drop decent bombs. It had a pylon under the rear cockpit to carry a bomb rack, and typically carried six 25-lb practice bombs. There is a counterweight box, below and behind the rudder, where lead was added to keep the CG in range.
Some of the former AT-38Bs are in use today as T-38Cs. The bomb rack is gone, all T-38Cs and AT-38Cs have a HUD, but the former Bs still have the (empty) ballast-box.
The Pod under the fuselage of 850 is a Travel Pod for the guys who got to go to Sun 'N Fun. I've been away for almost two months on a family emergency; I'll have to find out who went.
It's a T-38C, not an AT-38. Specifically, it belongs to the 50th Flying Training Squadron (my squadron). At the top of the fin, you can see the squadron motto, "Strikin' Snakes," in yellow. I've flown this airplane.
Used to be, UPT jets were white, and AT-38Bs were two-tone blue camoflauge (we called them "Smurf Jets"). Even today, guys call flying a UPT jet a "White Jet" assignment.
About 1999, the Air Force went to the same paint scheme on all T-38s, ostensibly to save money---same contractor, same scheme, more jets.
Today: AT-38Cs have a two-tone grey camoflauge that is a lighter color than the jet in your picture. Fuselage aft of the intakes is mostly one shade, and the forward fuselage is the other. This change started about 2005 or 2006.
What's the difference between an AT-38C and T-38C?
The paint. And the job-code of the IP who flies it.
Back in the day, the AT-38B differed in that it had a 60s-style sight that required actual piloting skill to drop decent bombs. It had a pylon under the rear cockpit to carry a bomb rack, and typically carried six 25-lb practice bombs. There is a counterweight box, below and behind the rudder, where lead was added to keep the CG in range.
Some of the former AT-38Bs are in use today as T-38Cs. The bomb rack is gone, all T-38Cs and AT-38Cs have a HUD, but the former Bs still have the (empty) ballast-box.
The Pod under the fuselage of 850 is a Travel Pod for the guys who got to go to Sun 'N Fun. I've been away for almost two months on a family emergency; I'll have to find out who went.
01-22-2010, 02:24 PM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2005
Posts: 658
Thanks for that informative reply. I flew the T-38 at UPT and later at Fighter Lead in. Completely enjoyed that aircraft.
Actually cracked the main wing spar in a dogfight with my instructor in the back seat. Scared the crap out of us (Tombstone MOA east of Holloman AFB if memory serves me correctly...)
Thanks again.. glad all are enjoying the images... fun to shoot.
Flyjets1 (orlando)
Actually cracked the main wing spar in a dogfight with my instructor in the back seat. Scared the crap out of us (Tombstone MOA east of Holloman AFB if memory serves me correctly...)
Thanks again.. glad all are enjoying the images... fun to shoot.
Flyjets1 (orlando)
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