Engine access door panel from a Northrop T-38 Talon, the world’s first supersonic jet trainer, which was designed and produced by the aircraft manufacturer Northrop Corporation. The access panel, 37.75″ x 20.75″, features a white exterior with a multitude of spring-loaded screw ports, entry holes, and stenciled directives, such as “Fuel System Shut-Off Valve Inside,” “Push to Drain Aft Fuel Tank,” “Utility Hyd Ground Test Connections Access,” and “Indicator Down When Fuel Strainer Has Been By-Passed, Maintenance Instructions Inside.” The green-coated interior side is stamped “MG, 340, 3 11835 3,” and features three caution and instruction labels and a schematic label “for Testing Fuel Booster Pumps and Valves.” In fine condition, with expected wear from use. Developed in the 1960s to replace the aging fleet of North American F-86 Sabre trainers, the Northrop T-38 Talon has been a staple in advanced pilot training for decades, contributing significantly to the development of skilled military aviators across the globe. Its capabilities and versatility have allowed it to maintain relevance long after its introduction.
