Thread: Boeing Trainer
View Single Post
Old 12-22-2016, 12:05 PM
  #5  
UAL T38 Phlyer
Moderate Moderator
 
UAL T38 Phlyer's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: Curator at Static Display
Posts: 5,681
Default

Irony: it was being chased by a T-38....

Impressions:

Surprisingly large left rudder input just a few seconds into the takeoff roll.

Canopy seems way too big. Yeah, you don't want the claustrophobia of the T-38, but it seemed overkill. Does it really help vis, or is it to meet a "Same size as an F-16" criteria?

It's a big airplane, and even with a much more efficient turbofan than the J85s, I seriously doubt the flying cost per hour will be equal to---let alone be less than---the Talon.

Narrow-base F-16/F-104 style gear. How wobbly will that be for neophytes?

It looks cool, and I'm sure high-AoA characteristics will be far superior to the 38.

Waiting to see the Northrop entry.

Northrop Grumman claims that all T-38s were delivered on time, at or below the contract price, and met the promised performance goals. If true, that's a rare accomplishment in defense procurement.
As I recall, the first ones (FY61) were $440k each, and the final ones were $960k.
UAL T38 Phlyer is offline