Thunderbirds | FerrariChat

Thunderbirds

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

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  1. BJK

    BJK F1 Rookie

    Jul 18, 2014
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  2. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
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    Jim Pernikoff
    I first saw them in Puerto Rico in the '60s when they were flying F-100s!
     
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  3. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Terry H Phillips
    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.
     
  4. BJK

    BJK F1 Rookie

    Jul 18, 2014
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  5. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
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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.
     
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  6. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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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.
     
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  7. megamarco9

    megamarco9 Karting

    Dec 11, 2020
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    Marco
    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.
     
  8. Boomhauer

    Boomhauer Formula Junior

    Aug 18, 2007
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    Cardinal
    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 ?
     
  9. megamarco9

    megamarco9 Karting

    Dec 11, 2020
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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.
     
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  10. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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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.
     
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  11. megamarco9

    megamarco9 Karting

    Dec 11, 2020
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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.
     
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  12. ChipG

    ChipG Formula 3

    May 26, 2011
    1,722
    Santa Monica, CA
    Let's just be thankful they are not grounded due to covid...

    However, the blue angels are, their separation is less than 6 feet.
     
  13. Dicecal

    Dicecal Formula 3
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    USAF never bought block 60s, the top dog is the block 50 with the GE 129 engines.
     
  14. niklas

    niklas Formula 3

    Apr 25, 2008
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    N. Olafsson
    I must admit, the Falcon has to be the prettiest fighter ever built. At least in my opinion. It just looks so damn good!
     
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  15. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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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.
     
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  16. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
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    Jim Pernikoff
  17. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    When you are flying close formation aerobatics, when lead augers in, so do two, three and four. Very sad accident.
     

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