AH Sabreliner P3D4 CT-39E repaint finished
Finally done as best I can do. The first pictures the real thing at a different time and different MODEX/ BuNo.
I had to use artistic license regarding the top and bottom wings because there are no good photos of these CT-39E / VTC-39E's.
They belonged to various Fleet Logistics Support Squadrons, deployed forward normally as detachments, such as Cubi Point or Sigonella. They often served as "Flag Barges" for fleet commanders / staff, etc.
This in general is a great model, the VC in particular and it flies well. Two shortfalls are the lack of a paint kit, and I believe the bottoms of the fuselage windows should be aligned with the bottom of the cockpit side windows - in other words they are a little too low. These are built into the model so I can't change them. In addition, white engine cowlings seem to show some annoying shadows at certain angles which don't seem to bad with other colors. I guess this has to do with the model mapping - I am no PBR expert, for sure.
The turn key T-39Ns were generally the same, painted TRACOM orange and white. However a couple had modified noses to incorporate A-7E or F-14 radars for specific NFO training. One was lost in an ACM training engagement against a T-39G (5-window Sabre 60). The air to air collision killed all aboard both airplanes.
The USAF apparently never moved past the T-39B model. I have a particular fondness for the USAF T-39. While in basic jet training at NAS Meridian I found out that there were occassional T-39 flights from Maxwell AFB in Alabama to Andrews AFB outside Washington, DC. Just before Christmas of 1965 I drove some 130 miles to Maxwell hoping to catch a flight to DC, where I intended to ask my future wife to marry me.
Luckily a very kind one-star let me hitch a ride and told me "good luck". It all worked out, but I had to pay my way back to Meridian via Eastern to Atlanta and Southern (in a 404) to Meridian. The cost of the ring and air fare left me pretty broke, but it was worth it.
