This is Wolfpack's T-38A Talon in 1/48th scale, which is a pretty straight-forward build with some nice detail. The kit provides for a simple build or a good starting point to add some scratch build or third-party detail features.
Notable Kit Features:
Decently detailed cockpit with raised instruments (with decal overlays)
Low parts count with good fit (for the most part)
Nicely scribed surface details
Open or Closed canopy option
Separate speed brakes
Travel pod included
Build Inspiration:
Although most of the boxings of this T-38A Talon kit were of single colour paint jobs, I always preferred the Aggressor looks, therefore I assembled the necessary markings from the spares box to get my camouflaged "Aggressor" T-38 looking the way I wanted it.
Heads-Up Report:
No seat harnesses provided in my kit (some boxings do have PE parts)
Glass panel between seats is not provided
Careful fitting of lower fuselage panel is required for a smooth fit
Some sanding of the intakes necessary to get good flow lines
Flying controls molded in neutral position
Canopy fit in closed position was mediocre
I had a problem fitting the front windscreen over the front anti-glare shield and had to do some surgery to get it to fit properly
Kit Additions / Modifications:
This kit was built Out-of-the-Box (with the exception of custom decals)
If I built this kit again, I would spend more time and enhance some details such as:
Add seatbelt restraints
Drill out tail & wing lights and substitute clear lens
Put in glass between seats
Add minor gear detail such as brake lines
Build canopy open
Drop the flaps and control surfaces a bit
Finishing:
I managed to find a colour photo of this Navy Aggressor example and cobbled together the decals from the spares box to represent it as best I could. The paint colours were approximated although I now think the dark blue should be lighter in shade. The kit didn't turn out as well as I would have liked however that is my fault for rushing this one along.
Note to self: What's the Rush? It's not like I NEED another kit on the display shelf! (Countering that are the ones haunting me in the stash... BUILD me I have been here for years!)
The After-Build Report:
This 1\48th scale T-38A Talon is a good basic kit to work with. The surface detail is nice and it builds up relatively well with only a couple of minor issues. The master model maker could take this kit to the next level, with some scratch build and/or aftermarket components. The Talon aircraft has certainly been underrepresented by model manufacturers over the years. Way back I had a Fujimi T-38 however it was more a toy kit than a serious model. Sword released the first real 1/48th T-38 in 2003 which was a decent multi-media kit, however it was a limited run and hard to find. Now we have the 1/48th Wolfpack (2013) and Trumpeter (2014) kits of the T-38A which seem similar in detail and content. I have the Trumpeter kit in the stash as well, so I will have to do a comparison build at some point.
Feel free to comment or ask any questions - Keep on building, gain experience, challenge yourself if you like, but try not to stress yourself out over the build - it is supposed to be an enjoyable hobby after all - Cheers