1/72 NASA T-38 Talon Build pics

Very basic kit, first released in 1967! This is the same kit but from 1973. 

One piece canopy, more on that later! 

Extending the rudder to fill in the space left from cutting out the drag chute housing. 

Sratchbuilt cockpit and seats improved with plasticard. 

Cutting off the drag chute housing. 

Cockpit interior sanded smooth. 

Removing the rear 'lump' from behind the back seat 

 

Cockpit scratchbuilt bits added here. I used an Italeri F-5E kit to help with sizes 

Getting ready to attach the wings - the red-marked areas will be cut off for the T-38 version. I've also filled in the engraved detail on the slats. 

The intakes have to be modified for a more accurate T-38 as do the wings. 

Trying to blend the intakes! 

So one light coat of grey primer followed by two coats of Tamiya Flat White airbrushed. Because the kit decals were dead, I masked up to spray the wingwalks and nose panel 

Happy enough with that! 

Black sprayed on 

Airframe ready for primer and paint. 

I wanted to open the canopy so took my razor saw and cut the one piece canopy into four 

Canopy cut and polished with micromesh pads. 

Old Microscale decals unusable - on to plan B 

Beautiful VM Decals - stencils are from my spares 

VM Decals sheet very kindly supplied by member of our IPMS club. 

Decals part one - using an old Microscale sheet 

And she's done! Not the most accurate T-38 but really happy how it turned out for such an old kit. I really like the clean lines and NASA paint scheme. Thanks for all your comments! 

And she's done!
Not the most accurate T-38 but I'm really happy how it turned out for such an old kit. I really like the clean lines and NASA paint scheme. Thanks for all your comments! 

 

Decals are a mix of VM for NASA T-38s and spares that I had. 

Aircraft 821 assigned to NASA Dryden Flight Research Centre 

 

That box has seen better days!
Not the most accurate T-38 but really happy how it turned out for such an old kit. I really like the clean lines and NASA paint scheme. Thanks for all your comments!