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T-38 arrived at Huntsville
Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 2:05 pm
by p51
I had no idea they were bringing in
another NASA T-38 to Huntsville until just the other day, looks like it just got there and I assume it’ll set up there soon:
http://www.spacecamp.com/gallery/thumbn ... ?album=260
I don’t think it’s a real NASA bird, though. I’ve read it was at a museum in El Paso and that used to be a USN bird. Also, the civilian designation of N999NA seen on those photos is the very end of the series allotted to NASA aircraft, I don’t think they numbered their T-38s that far into that number range.
The STA aircraft is detined for the Pathfinder area, but no clue on when it'll arrive as it's in sections in another part of the state right now with no ETO for Huntsville...
Re: T-38 arrived at Huntsville
Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 9:18 pm
by SpaceCanada
I saw the T38's arrival too, although I wasn't sure where it came from or where it's final destination (on USSRC property) would be. I always wonder why the canopy/glazing is painted too - incomplete or damaged cockpit? Irregardless of where it came from or whether it ever was a NASA bird, it's still something I look forward to seeing on campus in October. T38s are very sleek and elegant planes that play(ed?) a big part in the astronaut programme. (CF-18s will always be my favourite aircraft!)
Re: T-38 arrived at Huntsville
Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 11:59 pm
by p51
SpaceCanada wrote:I always wonder why the canopy/glazing is painted too - incomplete or damaged cockpit?
SpaceCanada wrote:(CF-18s will always be my favourite aircraft!)
That's a common way to coat canopy materials in climates with strong sun. A desert will suck the oily qualities right out of that material and gets brittle and yellowed.
As for CF-18s, I called in a training airstrike with some CAF hornets once. Good bunch. Remind me to tell about my F-18 ride if we ever meet...
Re: T-38 arrived at Huntsville
Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 9:20 am
by Steve
I will be at the center Tuesday this week, I will take some more pictures of T-38. Hopefully I will get some good shots.
Re: T-38 arrived at Huntsville
Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 4:17 pm
by Dyna-Soar
A few photos I shot this afternoon:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =3&theater
(hopefully the link works)
Re: T-38 arrived at Huntsville
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 12:28 am
by p51
Anyone have a clue where the permanent location for the T-38 is gonna be?
Re: T-38 arrived at Huntsville
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 1:56 pm
by airkale
Hows the mounting of the A-12 coming? Anyone know if this is moving forward?
Re: T-38 arrived at Huntsville
Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 11:46 am
by street
p51 wrote:Anyone have a clue where the permanent location for the T-38 is gonna be?
It is currently displayed beside Pathfinder. As soon as the mounting is ready it will be moved closer to the Astrotrek building, about 25 feet from it's present location.
Re: T-38 arrived at Huntsville
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 9:45 am
by street
airkale wrote:Hows the mounting of the A-12 coming? Anyone know if this is moving forward?
I totally missed this question! The area where the A-12 is to be mounted has been marked off with posts. It's going to be quite an impressive display. You'll know you've arrived at the USSRC when you see it!
Meanwhile, the T-38 was placed this week. While it was being hoisted a T-38 flew overhead! I didn't get a shot of it, but someone else did, so hopefully that shot will be posted on the FB page or elsewhere soon. Meanwhile, here's a snap of the mounting activity and one I took this morning.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =3&theater
Re: T-38 arrived at Huntsville
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 10:52 am
by airkale
Thanks for the update!
Re: T-38 arrived at Huntsville
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 12:40 pm
by p51
Where and how will the A12 be mounted? Any idea of a timeframe for this?
I'll be back that way in the fall this year, I assume it'll all be complete by then?
Re: T-38 arrived at Huntsville
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 1:36 pm
by Dyna-Soar
They are going to put the back end on it, right?
Re: T-38 arrived at Huntsville
Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 1:49 pm
by p51
Re: T-38 arrived at Huntsville
Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 6:08 pm
by Steve
I am glad they got it mounted, looking forward to see it up close. Anyone going soon could put on the forum would be real good to see.
Re: T-38 arrived at Huntsville
Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 2:50 pm
by Hotdog
Re: T-38 arrived at Huntsville
Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 3:23 pm
by p51
Wow, it reminds me of the two that are stuffed and mounted at the JSC visitor center in Houston:
http://www.militaryaircraft.de/pictures ... 67_800.jpg
Re: T-38 arrived at Huntsville
Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 7:22 pm
by Dyna-Soar
Re: T-38 arrived at Huntsville
Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2014 9:08 pm
by Steve
Awesome picture. Glad to see the bird up!!
Re: T-38 arrived at Huntsville
Posted: Wed Feb 12, 2014 9:00 pm
by airkale
Whats the large object behind the T-38? Looks like the mounting points for the SSME's. Never seen this before. Wasn't there a space station simulator in that area before?
Also I see they have an engine under the right side of the stack.
Re: T-38 arrived at Huntsville
Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 12:22 am
by Hotdog
That's the boat tail of the MPTA-098, "Main Propulsion Test Article". Or, what's left of it anyway. It was used along with the Pathfinder's external tank to test fire all three SSME's. Then, in the late 80's it was converted into the Shuttle-C mockup. The boat tail portion is all that remains of it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPTA-098
