The F-16 Fighting Falcon AKA Viper | FerrariChat

The F-16 Fighting Falcon AKA Viper

Discussion in 'Aviation Chat' started by Wade, Sep 26, 2016.

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  1. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ Owner

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    Looking for Flyers and Fans of the incredible Viper.

    For starters, here's Kevin Flankey's late uncle, YF-16 Test Pilot Phil Oestricher, discussing a truly "Memorable Moment".

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAp4RtGKbHE[/ame]

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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Wade, Sep 26, 2016
    #1
  2. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ Owner

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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Wade, Sep 26, 2016
    #2
  3. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ Owner

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    This public rollout video of the General Dynamics YF-16 will rekindle some memories for a few.

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPYjmJynE_0[/ame]
     
    Wade, Sep 26, 2016
    #3
  4. rdefabri

    rdefabri Three Time F1 World Champ

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    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!
     
    rdefabri, Sep 26, 2016
    #4
  5. kevfla

    kevfla Formula 3

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    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.
     
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2016
    kevfla, Sep 26, 2016
    #5
  6. Hannibal308

    Hannibal308 F1 Veteran

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    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!
     
    Hannibal308, Sep 26, 2016
    #6
    Ryan S. likes this.
  7. Hannibal308

    Hannibal308 F1 Veteran

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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Hannibal308, Sep 26, 2016
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  8. Ryan S.

    Ryan S. Two Time F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    One of the best looking planes ever made. Just looks right.
     
    Ryan S., Sep 27, 2016
    #8
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  9. Hannibal308

    Hannibal308 F1 Veteran

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    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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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Hannibal308, Sep 27, 2016
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  10. ralfabco

    ralfabco Two Time F1 World Champ Lifetime Rossa

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    Beautiful airplane.
     
    ralfabco, Sep 27, 2016
    #10
  11. David_S

    David_S F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    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.
     
    David_S, Sep 27, 2016
    #11
  12. jcurry

    jcurry Two Time F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    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.
     
    jcurry, Sep 27, 2016
    #12
  13. RBM

    RBM Formula Junior

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    What years did you fly with the Wolfpack? You know Turbo Thompson?
     
    RBM, Sep 27, 2016
    #13
  14. Hannibal308

    Hannibal308 F1 Veteran

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    2001-2003 Pantons

    I think I know Turbo but not from the Kun, possibly. I think from Luke.
     
    Hannibal308, Sep 27, 2016
    #14
  15. Bludiablordstr

    Bludiablordstr Karting

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    Bludiablordstr, Sep 30, 2016
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  16. Bludiablordstr

    Bludiablordstr Karting

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    Bludiablordstr, Sep 30, 2016
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  17. beast

    beast F1 World Champ

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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.
     
    beast, Oct 1, 2016
    #17
  18. BMW.SauberF1Team

    BMW.SauberF1Team F1 World Champ

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    BMW.SauberF1Team, Oct 1, 2016
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  19. lear60man

    lear60man Formula 3

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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.
     
    lear60man, Oct 2, 2016
    #19
  20. kevfla

    kevfla Formula 3

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    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.
     
    kevfla, Oct 2, 2016
    #20
  21. Boomhauer

    Boomhauer Formula Junior

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    It's a Greek F-16 Block 52+ with conformal fuel tanks ( the extra fuselage over the wings )
     
    Boomhauer, Oct 2, 2016
    #21
  22. kevfla

    kevfla Formula 3

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    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
     
    kevfla, Oct 2, 2016
    #22
  23. joker57676

    joker57676 Two Time F1 World Champ

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    joker57676, Oct 2, 2016
    #23
  24. Tcar

    Tcar F1 Rookie

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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.)
     
    Last edited: Oct 2, 2016
    Tcar, Oct 2, 2016
    #24
  25. lear60man

    lear60man Formula 3

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    Thanks, never seen them and I was like, 'Hey wait a minute......'
     
    lear60man, Oct 2, 2016
    #25
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