The fuel crisis of the early 1970s resulted selection of the Northrop T-38A Talon, a supersonic trainer. Five T-38s used the same amount of fuel needed for one F-4 Phantom, and fewer people and equipment were required to maintain the aircraft. Although it met the criteria of demonstrating the capabilities of a prominent Air Force aircraft, the Talon did not fulfil [sic] the Thunderbird tradition of flying front-line jet fighters. The team flew the Talon from 1974–1981.It is one good-looking bird.
The Thunderbirds “diamond crash” incident also involved the T-38 :(