The F-16 Fighting Falcon AKA Viper

Always a fan of the F-16 Fighting Falcon (I don't like Viper) since I built an F-16 Centuri model rocket in the 70s!

 

Thank you, Wade, for posting these links. Many, if not most, of today's F-16 pilots weren't born yet, when the plane debuted. Hard to believe that the basic platform is nearly 45-years old!

After his funeral, this past February, quite a few General Dynamics retirees stated that Phil's skill and calmness saved their jobs and careers. Despite the rush of flying a supersonic aircraft, he really enjoyed basic "stick and rudder" flying, especially in an Aeronca Champ.

 

Kevin. Thanks to your uncle for what he has done for Air Force aviation.

Also what a great way to get this thread going. These videos and pictures go right back to where it all began for me too.

I was 9 or 10 when I built my first F-16 model and I painted it up just like your uncle's bird! I thought the other option...air superiority blue...was a little too far off the reservation for me. That model of your uncle's plane is what drove me for the next decade or so until I was flying one myself!

The rollout video is so cool. I was interested by the landing at the very end. We now land the Viper by entering a full aerobrake shortly after touchdown. They clearly hadn't developed that at the time of the video. Not surprising really, but interesting. Was also neat seeing clip of the YF in AB while the speedbrakes were out...done to not leave the F-4 behind?

Anyway, so many thanks to your uncle!

 

Pic of one of my birds ready to rock over the Yellow Sea (West Sea of Korea)!
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One of the best looking planes ever made. Just looks right.

 

Man, I couldn't agree more.

All three runners up in the beauty contest (modern fighters category) don't come close...Raptor, Typhoon, and Rafale.
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Beautiful airplane.

 

One of my favorite documentaries from way back in the day...

As a kid? I think I must have built a squadron of F-16s.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkrtxDdaWuM[/ame]

Hope it isn't too political in nature, but it is an interesting look back & a decent look at the F-16s contemporaries.

 

I sat in that airplane (the initial YF-16) when I was a college co-op in the early 80's. Also took the wings off (16 bolts per side). Airframe was at Wright-Patterson being used for various ground tests, including battle damaged runway testing.

Funny, or not so funny, story. A bunch of people were checking out the cockpit, etc. when someone determined that the seat ordinance was still installed. Nobody touched anything after that.

 

What years did you fly with the Wolfpack? You know Turbo Thompson?

 

2001-2003 Pantons

I think I know Turbo but not from the Kun, possibly. I think from Luke.

 

14 May 2016 at Edwards, she still looks cool...
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Another angle
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Growing up an AF brat in 75 I got to see a mock dogfight between a YF-16 and F-4E at Ramstein AFB. They both started there takeoff roll side by side by the time the YF-16 was gear up you could have called the fight over with. The most memorable part of the demo was seeing the WSO looking up at the YF-16 as it was climbing up and banking away from the F-4. This happened a couple of weeks prior to the Paris Air Show. Also on base was an YF-17 and an F-15, great time to be hanging out on the flight line as a kid.

 

I love the F16. Some photos I took last year at the Andrews AFB airshow of the DC ANG F16s and the Thunderbirds.
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What variant is shown at about 2:11....2:17? It looks like some sort of extra fuselage over the wings.

The F16 is really a stunning design visually and in execution.

 

Good question! I wondered that myself. It might be a two-seat trainer, but don't know for sure. I'll try sending a screen-shot to my cousin Rick to see if he knows.

 

It's a Greek F-16 Block 52+ with conformal fuel tanks ( the extra fuselage over the wings )

 

Al,
Those photos are just, but not only, remarkable! They have the appearance of official press photos.
Great job! Please contact me next time you are in the area.

Kevfla

 

Same or similar configuration flown by the Israeli Air Force?



Mark
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Conformal Fuel Tanks for F-16

Several planes have the option, not just the F-16.

Seen pics of them on F-15E's. (Below the wings.)

 

Thanks, never seen them and I was like, 'Hey wait a minute......'