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    This page documents a history of a specific aircraft. The details provided vary from aircraft to aircraft and are dependent on the research and amount of data uploaded to the Aerial Visuals database.

    Airframe Family: North American T3J/T-39 Sabreliner
    Latest Model:NT-39A Sabreliner
    Last Military Serial:59-2873 USAF
    Construction Number:270-1
    Compressed ID:NA NT-39A sn 59-2873 USAF cn 270-1
    Latest Owner or Location:United States Naval Museum of Armament and Technology - Storage, NAWS China Lake / Armitage Field, Ridgecrest, California

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    Dates

    Event

    Constructed as a T-39B-1.

    Originally contracted as a T-39A model but was modified (along with 59-2874) during production at request of the Air Force to become the first 2 B models with a mission as a flying classroom for the F-105 Fire Control and Radar Training Program. (Aviastar.org).

    November 1960

    First flight.

    15 February 1961

    Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 59-2873.

    1961

    Transferred to 4520th Combat Crew Training Wing, Nellis AFB, NV.

    4 November 1970


    Photographer: Tim Martin
    Notes: 1970 photo at Winnipeg

    From 1973 to 1976

    Base of operations changed.
    Stationed at Langley AFB, VA before returning to Nellis AFB.

    By August 1981

    Transferred to 4950th Test Wing, Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH.
    Operated with markings: AFSC

    Converted to a NT-39A.
    Converted for Project Little Crow for use as ECM threat simulator.

    By 1986

    Markings Applied: ASD

    25 July 1986


    Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
    Notes: At Dayton, OH

    By 1989

    Transferred to 418th Flight Test Squadron, 412th Test Wing, Edwards AFB, CA.
    Operated with markings: ED

    By June 1991

    Transferred to 4950th Test Wing, Air Force Systems Command (AFSC), Wright-Patterson AFB, OH.
    Operated with markings: AFSC

    1996

    Assigned to Wright-Patterson AFB, OH for storage.

    By 2007

    To United States Naval Museum of Armament and Technology-Storage, NAWS China Lake/Armitage Field, Ridgecrest, CA.
    View the Location Dossier
    This dossier is waiting for review by an editor.This airframe dossier is based on
    unreviewed imported data.
    If you can verify the documented history or add to it with additional text and/or photos please feel free to do so by using the upload tool and the history editor.
    Credits
     Data for airframe dossiers come from various sources. The following were used to compile this dossier...
    Print Sources
     U.S. Military Out of Service 2010 by Andy Marden
    Internet Sources
     Airliners.Net
    All the Worlds Rotocraft
    Kites, Birds and Stuff - Aircraft of the U.S.A. - North American Aircraft by P.D. Stemp
    Scramble of the Dutch Aviation Society
    United States Military Services Serial Number Lists by Joe Baugher
    Individual Contributors
     Glenn Chatfield
    Mike Henniger
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