The Skymaster Northrop T-38 Talon Project of 2019
12-16-2018, 04:32 AM
#1
Thread Starter
The Skymaster Northrop T-38 Talon Project of 2019
I felt like starting a new project. I called up BVM and asked if they could have Skymaster paint me a custom color scheme on a T-38 Talon. They said I would have to contact John in the Skymaster Sales Department. I sent him a picture of the NASA chase/training plane. He said that he could do it. But I would need to supply the graphics for all the decals, large ones with high resolution. So I went to the NASA.gov web site and located a similar but not a matching tail insignia as shown below. I used my Photoshop skills (amateur level however) to remove the blue disc, paint the NASA font in blue and generally get it right. It took me several hours.
That was the easy part. The opposite vertical tail fin has a mirror image of the decal but the NASA lettering has to be reversed. That was even more of a challenge. As if that was not enough work, some of the logos of NASA cannot be used without permission. I wrote them telling of my project intentions and was granted written permission to use the logo. Great news!
Also hard to find were the other decals as they are different than on others airplanes. I had to make them from scratch, again on Photoshop.
One more thing. I will give my model the tail number 901. You should read about this most distinguished NASA airplane. NASA T-38 Talon - Aviation Heritage Park
The project was accepted and my deposit was retained by BVM. Off to the races...
That was the easy part. The opposite vertical tail fin has a mirror image of the decal but the NASA lettering has to be reversed. That was even more of a challenge. As if that was not enough work, some of the logos of NASA cannot be used without permission. I wrote them telling of my project intentions and was granted written permission to use the logo. Great news!
Also hard to find were the other decals as they are different than on others airplanes. I had to make them from scratch, again on Photoshop.
One more thing. I will give my model the tail number 901. You should read about this most distinguished NASA airplane. NASA T-38 Talon - Aviation Heritage Park
The project was accepted and my deposit was retained by BVM. Off to the races...
12-16-2018, 07:07 PM
#2
I personally wouldn't trust them with the decals. I would just have them paint the stripe down the side, get the graphics made by Tailor Made or whoever, then apply when the plane shows up and spray the whole thing with rattlecan 2K flat clear. Just my opinion of course, I've heard horror stories about those ARF graphics.
12-17-2018, 09:41 AM
#9
Thread Starter
I just got word from BVM that they want the remainder of the funds as the model is ready to be shipped. Unreal. I only started my dialog with Skymaster a little over a month ago.
Now I wonder how long it takes to get it here. Interesting.
I thought I would have the new JetCat P-130 in hand before I got the model but it may be that I get the model first.
AEHaas
Now I wonder how long it takes to get it here. Interesting.
I thought I would have the new JetCat P-130 in hand before I got the model but it may be that I get the model first.
AEHaas
12-17-2018, 10:31 AM
#11
T-38
I had a jet central super eagle 30 lbs of thrust in it before and it flew really good now I have the cheetah 36 lbs of thrust and it is a big difference and flys even better. So I think the 130 would be a good combo
David
David
12-19-2018, 04:33 AM
#14
Thread Starter
I will have to do that direct drive on the nose wheel. It does not look difficult. Is all the gear that supplied with the model from Skymaster?
I'm also thinking of sending the Gear to ?Down and Lock? to be converted to electric. I am going to try to go all electric. The air brakes can be done with the BVM single piston method.
AEHaas
I'm also thinking of sending the Gear to ?Down and Lock? to be converted to electric. I am going to try to go all electric. The air brakes can be done with the BVM single piston method.
AEHaas
12-19-2018, 04:55 AM
#15
Your installation shows large areas of carbon fibre, with at least one satellite close to CF
Have you ever considered the degree of attenuation of RF signals caused by CF, it can seriously degrade RF strength and signal quality.
It would be a real shame to risk losing such a splendid jet because of avoidable, by replacing CF with fibreglass board, transparent to RF, RF problems.
Have you ever considered the degree of attenuation of RF signals caused by CF, it can seriously degrade RF strength and signal quality.
It would be a real shame to risk losing such a splendid jet because of avoidable, by replacing CF with fibreglass board, transparent to RF, RF problems.
Last edited by David Gladwin; 12-19-2018 at 04:58 AM.
12-19-2018, 08:19 AM
#16
Your installation shows large areas of carbon fibre, with at least one satellite close to CF
Have you ever considered the degree of attenuation of RF signals caused by CF, it can seriously degrade RF strength and signal quality.
It would be a real shame to risk losing such a splendid jet because of avoidable, by replacing CF with fibreglass board, transparent to RF, RF problems.
Have you ever considered the degree of attenuation of RF signals caused by CF, it can seriously degrade RF strength and signal quality.
It would be a real shame to risk losing such a splendid jet because of avoidable, by replacing CF with fibreglass board, transparent to RF, RF problems.
12-21-2018, 01:57 PM
#18
Thread Starter
DHL picked up the box this morning and it is supposed to arrive here on Monday!
Last note: Processed at GUANGZHOU - CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC
Single box, 53lbs.
AEHaas
Last note: Processed at GUANGZHOU - CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC
Single box, 53lbs.
AEHaas
12-26-2018, 03:48 PM
#19
Thread Starter
It came through customs too slow to get Monday but I got it today and unpacked everything. It was well packed and I put a few pieces together to get a feel for it. So far it all looks very well done:
12-26-2018, 05:15 PM
#20
My Feedback: (20)
Subscribed, post lots of pictures.
It's a beautiful jet. I could be talked into getting one. I had about 1200 hrs in 38s as an instructor at Sheppard AFB in the late 70s. I've always wanted to model one.
I'm very interested in how much ARF is in the ARF. My last two SMs needed lots of extra work, sorta like a "scratch ARF". I like this one because it looks a little smaller and easier to pick up and move around... more so than the giants I got myself into the last few years.
Good luck on the build,
Gary
It's a beautiful jet. I could be talked into getting one. I had about 1200 hrs in 38s as an instructor at Sheppard AFB in the late 70s. I've always wanted to model one.
I'm very interested in how much ARF is in the ARF. My last two SMs needed lots of extra work, sorta like a "scratch ARF". I like this one because it looks a little smaller and easier to pick up and move around... more so than the giants I got myself into the last few years.
Good luck on the build,
Gary
12-26-2018, 06:41 PM
#22
My Feedback: (20)
I would send them pictures of the ones I flew to copy. I'm sure they could still mess it up based on some sad stories I've heard. My own recent experience was I had to repaint my stock 1/5 F-16 Thunderbird scheme canopy frame and replace a US flag decal applied upside down.
12-27-2018, 05:15 AM
#25
Thread Starter
Join In! I am sure all the people considering this plane would appreciate the experience. I do think the plane matches well to the real thing I am trying to copy:
