Hobby Master HA5408 | Northrop T-38C Talon 70-1576, 50th FTS "Strikin' Snakes", Columbus AFB, 2009

General Background:

The 49th first came into existence in 1941 as the 49th Pursuit Squadron and in 1949 was inactivated. In 1952 the unit was re-activated as the 49th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron and once again inactivated in 1987 reactivated in 1990 as the 49th Flying Training Squadron. Located at Columbus AFB, Mississippi their mission is to conduct the advanced phase of undergraduate pilot training and basic procedures and techniques for fighters. In 2003 their name was changed to 49th Fighter Training Squadron to make it more mission related.

The Aircraft:

The 50th Flying Training Squadron is part of the 14th Flying Training Wing based at Columbus AFB, Mississippi. They have been conducting pilot training since 1972. Like the 49th FTS also based at Columbus, their mission is to apply advanced training to undergraduate pilots. The students put in 37 hours of simulator, 69 sorties in the T-38C comprising 96.9 hours. They learn tactics, maneuvers and tactical navigation. Upon a successful completion they earn their pilots wings.
The upgraded aircraft is designated T-38C. The USAF T-38As were upgraded to T-38C by upgrading the avionics and support systems.

Specifications Northrop T-38A Talon
Years of Production – 1961 / 1972
Number produced – 1,100 +
Crew – 2 x Instructor / Student
Dimensions
Length – 46 ft 4.5 in (14.14 m)
Wingspan – 25 ft 3 in (7.7 m)
Height – 12 ft 10.5 in (3.92 m)
Weight
Empty – 7,200 lb (3,270 kg)
Loaded – 11,820 lb (5,360 kg
Maximum Take-Off – 12,093 lb (5,485 kg)
Performance
Engines – 2 x General Electric J85-5A (J855R after PMP modification) Afterburning Turbojets
Thrust Dry – 2,050 lbf (9.1 kN) per engine
Afterburner – 2,900 lbf (17.1 kN) per engine
Maximum Speed – Mach 1.3 (858 mph / 1,381 km/h)
Range – 1,140 mi (1,835 km)
Service Ceiling – 50,000 ft (15,240 m)
ROC – 33,600 ft/min (170.7 m/s)