Originally Posted by
UAL T38 Phlyer
My guess is not so much the ability to maintain them but the cost. My estimate is $25,000 a flight hour. Contrast with Vipers at about $6-7k, Hornets about $8-10, Supers $11-12k, and Eagles $15k. T-38s: $3-4k. (All my estimates; nothing official).
And the reason why those defense contractors are doing such good business right now. MUCH, MUCH cheaper to pay for red air support rather than pay for it out of hide.
73M - Yeah the early Harriers were around then, but as far as I recall they have always been stationed at the light attack bases (being NKT on the east coast) where the A-4s were stationed. Even Beaufort didn't have A-4 stationed there except for the detachment of aggressors with the HAMS squadron.
USMCFLYR