Northrop’s T-38 Talon was the world's first supersonic trainer aircraft. First flown in 1959, it has helped more than 50,000 pilots from all over the world earn their wings. The exemplary aircraft has also achieved numerous records and was flown by several renowned pilots in the 1960s, such as Navy Captain and NASA astronaut Wally Schirra and the legendary Jacqueline Cochran. The so-called ‘Speed Queen’ flew a T-38 in 1961 and set eight world records involving speed, altitude, and distance. Its success derived from the aircraft’s outstanding maneuverability, handling and excellent cockpit visibility for the two-man crew, with a sleek design and engines that allowed it to reach a top speed of 857 miles per hour and an impressive rate of climb of 33,600 feet per minute. Surprisingly, the tight design did not catch much attention at first, and had to prove itself in the eyes of the aviation industry before making a splash… --- Join Dark Skies as we explore the world of aviation with cinematic short documentaries featuring the biggest and fastest airplanes ever built, top-secret military projects, and classified missions with hidden untold true stories. Including US, German, and Soviet warplanes, along with aircraft developments that took place during World War I, World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and special operations mission in between. As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Skies sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect and soundtracks for emotional impact. We do our best to keep it as visually accurate as possible. All content on Dark Skies is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas.