Thunderbirds | FerrariChat

Thunderbirds

Discussion in 'Aviation Chat' started by BJK, Jan 14, 2021.

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  1. BJK

    BJK F1 Veteran

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    BJK, Jan 14, 2021
    #1
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  2. BJK

    BJK F1 Veteran

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    BJK, Jan 14, 2021
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  3. BJK

    BJK F1 Veteran

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    BJK, Jan 14, 2021
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  4. BJK

    BJK F1 Veteran

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    BJK, Jan 14, 2021
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  5. BJK

    BJK F1 Veteran

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    BJK, Jan 14, 2021
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  6. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    I first saw them in Puerto Rico in the '60s when they were flying F-100s!
     
    Gatorrari, Jan 14, 2021
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  7. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ Lifetime Rossa Owner

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    Jim- F-84Fs for me the first time I remember. The red, white and blue drag chutes were fun to see. Dad was in the AF, so do not remember where I saw them. Too many bases.
     
    tazandjan, Jan 14, 2021
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  8. BJK

    BJK F1 Veteran

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    BJK, Jan 15, 2021
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  9. BJK

    BJK F1 Veteran

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  10. BJK

    BJK F1 Veteran

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    BJK, Jan 15, 2021
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  11. BJK

    BJK F1 Veteran

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    BJK, Jan 15, 2021
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  12. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    They flew both F-100Cs and F-100Ds, separated by their abortive switch to the F-105 Thunderchief in 1964. After a fatal F-105 crash due to structural failure, they switched to the F-100D. Appearance-wise, the difference is that the F-100Ds had the dark blue Thunderbird on their underside, while the F-100Cs didn't.
     
    Gatorrari, Jan 15, 2021
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  13. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ Lifetime Rossa Owner

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    They liked the F-100D much better because of the larger vertical stabilizer and rudder. The Thunderbirds I knew in the 70s (T-38s) were always grumping they needed more rudder authority. They hated those aircraft because they had no legs at all and no aerial refueling capability. During the hollow Air Force days.
     
    tazandjan, Jan 15, 2021
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  14. megamarco9

    megamarco9 Karting

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    I'll never forget the Thunderbirds fly in at Detroit's Willow Run airport (early 70's) when I was a teen, they shocked the crowd when they come out of nowhere for an unannounced low pass from behind in the F4 Phantom.... I was back the next day for the air show, amazing sight & sound. I did not like the T38 years, OPEC did a number on us back then and hence the T38's.
     
    megamarco9, Jan 16, 2021
    #14
  15. Boomhauer

    Boomhauer Formula Junior

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    Since the Blue Angels are transitioning to Super Hornets, are there any plans for the Thunderbirds to replace the F-16 ? F-35s are probably out of the question for the time being, but maybe upgraded F-16s ?
     
    Boomhauer, Jan 16, 2021
    #15
  16. megamarco9

    megamarco9 Karting

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    I also think that F-35 would be out of the question... the service-per-flight hours on this model, $44k an hour, twice that of the F-16, seems a likely reason.
     
    megamarco9, Jan 16, 2021
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  17. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ Lifetime Rossa Owner

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    The F-16C/D engines were upgraded during later versions and the Thunderbirds are flying Block 52s last time I heard, with P&W F100-PW-229 engines. With over 29,000 lbst, that provides a really good T/W ratio at the gross weights the Thunderbirds use in performances.
     
    tazandjan, Jan 17, 2021
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  18. megamarco9

    megamarco9 Karting

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    single engine @29,000 lbst is impressive, why would they not use the Block 60 F16E with over 32,000 lbst.? Then you see the mind-blowing F35 w/43,000 lbst.... but monstrously complex.
     
    megamarco9, Jan 17, 2021
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  19. Boomhauer

    Boomhauer Formula Junior

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    Boomhauer, Jan 17, 2021
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  20. ChipG

    ChipG Formula 3

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    Let's just be thankful they are not grounded due to covid...

    However, the blue angels are, their separation is less than 6 feet.
     
    ChipG, Jan 17, 2021
    #20
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  21. Dicecal

    Dicecal Formula 3 Silver Subscribed

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    USAF never bought block 60s, the top dog is the block 50 with the GE 129 engines.
     
    Dicecal, Jan 17, 2021
    #21
  22. niklas

    niklas Formula 3

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    I must admit, the Falcon has to be the prettiest fighter ever built. At least in my opinion. It just looks so damn good!
     
    niklas, Jan 17, 2021
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  23. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ Lifetime Rossa Owner

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    Modern version of the P-51, both with belly intakes that work well at high AOA, even if one was only a radiator and oil cooler intake.
     
    tazandjan, Jan 17, 2021
    #23
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  24. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    Gatorrari, Jan 18, 2021
    #24
  25. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ Lifetime Rossa Owner

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    When you are flying close formation aerobatics, when lead augers in, so do two, three and four. Very sad accident.
     
    tazandjan, Jan 18, 2021
    #25
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