T-38 restoration shows progress Published July 23, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Robert L. McIlrath 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- As the new renovations on the Wichita Falls Municipal Airport near completion, another, more personal project is nearing completion. After countless hours of restoration, a damaged T-38 Talon is nearing the finish line as volunteers spend their Saturday's working diligently to complete the project by deadline. Once completed, the T-38 will be on display next to a 98-year-old Jenny biplane inside the airport terminal, embodying the partnership shared by Sheppard and the local community. "The base teamed up with the city of Wichita Falls and decided with the new municipal terminal they are building, they would restore the aircraft and go in as a static display that's going to go in with Jenny at the terminal," said Lt. Col. Chris Torres, 80th Flying Training Wing functional check flight chief. The project consists of 100 percent volunteers. Local businesses from the community have donated food on Saturday's as well to contribute to the effort. "By the end of August we're going to have had about 118 volunteers and about 800 man hours invested into this project," said Tech. Sgt. Juan Garcia, 362nd Training Squadron instructor. "It's everyone's way of leaving their footprint here at Sheppard." The T-38 is being restored using scrap parts that are from retired aircraft. "About 99 percent of everything going into this aircraft has been penniless, it's all spare parts that we have had lying around," Garcia said. Once completed and painted in October, the aircraft will be crane lifted into its new home at the airport terminal. The aircraft will be on display for both the community and the base to enjoy.