| 4-25-01 T-38A Talon: From the time that the Northrop T-38A Talon first flew in April 1959, this aircraft has played a significant role in the U.S. Air Force. Even though the last airframe rolled off the assembly line in 1972, the Talon is very muh a significant part of the training curriculum of an Air Force pilot. However, the almost 1200 airframes have done much more than serving as an introduction to fast flight. The T-38A has been seen bymillions over the years in the color of the USAF Thunderbirds, as the chase and profiency aircraft for NASA and performed in the adversary role for the U.S. Navy and Air Force. Of course, the Talon has also found a home outside the U.S. with Germany, Portugal, Taiwan and Turkey also flying the T-38A. For an aircraft with such visibility and the factthat more Air Force pilots have flown the T-38A than just about any other aircraft, it is amazing that this aircraft has not been represented in kit form up to now. There are several kits in 1/72 and 1/48 that are listed as T-38's, but in all cases the model is a somewhat modified F-5B. This situation has now changed with the release of a T-38A in 1/32 by Collect-Aire. The model represents a true T-38A and not a converted F-5B. Following is a short description of the kit. The model is packaged in a standard strong Collect-Aire box with a print of a painting of a T-38A on the cover. The kit is molded in a fine, creme yellow cast resin with some detail parts in metal. There are approximately 70 plus parts in this kit. The parts are packaged in a multiple of smaller plastic bags to prevent damage. The surface is smooth and I have not found any surfae resin bubbles. The kit comes with three vacuform canopys. Yea! It is always a nice touch to have an extra canopy or 2 in case the modeling gremlins strike while you are cutting the canopy from the carrier sheet. The fuselage is split vertically and is hollow. In factif it was not in a resin yellow color, the kit could pass as an injection molded fuselage!. There appears to be no surprises in the manner that the kit builds up as the sequence follows standard injection molded aircraft. The cockpit is composed of 27 pieces and has both early and the new late style Northrop Improved Ejection seats. The cockpit instrument panel and side panels have molded in raised detail and need only some dry brushing to make them stand out. There is also a small clear plastic sheet and template to represent the inter-canopy blast frame glass (frame is in resin). Detailed resin canopy frames with internal detail round out this area. The model can be built with the canopys open or closed, and also the speed brakes open or closed. The metal parts for the landing gear are some of the best metal castings I have seen. The wing is molded in one piece and is extremely thin, sharp and in scale with very sharp trailing edges!. Along with the model is a builders guide containing the kit instructions and a seperate T-38 color reference guide. This last booklet is an eight page color reference guide for the different markings that come with the kit. What about the markings you may ask? Collect-Aire has done an outstanding job when selecting the markings for a jet that has been used in so many different schemes. They have included decals to do a total of six different style markings for the Talon! These markings are spread out over 4 (!) huge decal sheets and are very well printed! To start, there are 3 different versions of the NASA T-38. This is my definite favorite! One can build the Talon with the early yellow tail band, NASA "Wurm" markings or the current style "Vector" markings. For the Vector aircraft, one has a choice of 4 different aircraft in this scheme, differing only in registration and pilot names. There is one set ofstripes for the NASA aircraft Talon so the registration for the six different aircraft are printed seperately on small segments of blue stripe. All the modeler has to do is cut out the small section of solid stripe and add the segments containing the registration of choice. Probably the most visually stunning of the markings included with the kit are those for the USAF Thunderbirds. All of the red,white and blue markings are inluded for this version - top and bottom! The markings for "Number 1" aircraft specific are included. The Next Talon covered is an all black T-38 flown at Holloman AFB. These aircraft are used as F-117A proficiency trainers. The markings for this aircraft are a light grey. The last set is for a T-38A of the ATC in standard Training Command colors. All stenciling, Rescue marks, is included in multiple colors for each version and is readable. Now - the big question I have been asked since I bought my kit (s) "is it worth it!" My answer is a clear yes! This may be oneof the best Collect-Aire kits issued! The kit is well designed and the moldings are of very high quality. It is a good value ($199.95 currently) for the money in my opinion. It is the only real T-38A available and will look outstanding in this large scale. I have waited a long time for a decent T-38A model and I am happy to report that Collect-Air met my expectations! I brought the kit to my IPMS chapter and the kit was received very favorably. The biggest problem is that with the great decal options, I'll have to save up and buy more kits! submitted by Mike J. Idacavage |
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