Hey I found this photo whilst floating around the net. Its the vulcan cannon from #5's plane after the Nellis crash.



Woah!

When did this happen? I have never heard about a Nellis crash before. How come #5 had a canon installed? (Normally the smoke-oil drum would be in its place in Thunderbird F-16's).

Lawndart

You're right. the two were posted together in another forum (#5 crash and this) so I assumed they were together. In any case it is an F16 vulcan cannon post ground collisions

shsh.... they forgot to change #5's cannon with oil-drum. Since I have a top-secret clearance from Pentagon, I've been able to reach into the classified investigations reports about TB #5 crash stored somewhere I cant tell you anything about. The existence of the Cannon, somehow adding weight to the aft. section of the airplane, had an impact on CG of TB#5. According to F-16's Loading Arrangements for forward and aft limits of CG and CG Moment Envelope diagrams, it has been proven that the CG was located on a point too far aft. its limit and aircraft's moment was outside of the safe envelope, causing the airplane to enter a stall and become unrecoverable. Cannon however had one positive effect on saving Captain Chris Stricklin's life. Capt. Stricklin used the cannon to boost his ejection sequence. The information on how that was done is too classified and I could possibly loose an eye, or an ear if I release that info. Just please keep what I just said within the boundaries of this forum or not only my top-secret clearance, but also my computer, my job and my neck will be in danger.

Hope that helped...

-Funky

Good one Funky, but lets clarify a few things for those that don't know.

* There has not been a crash at Nellis.
* The Thunderbird airplanes do not have cannons installed, but have the smoke system in its place instead.
* The photo in the above post has no connection with any Thunderbird accident.
* The crash everyone seems to be referring to happened at Mountain Home AFB on Sep.14, 2003 and did involve the pilot mentioned. The pilot purposely banked away from the crowd the last second so all energy would be directed away from the crowd and pulled the ejection handle 0.8 seconds before impact. Elroy was the #6 pilot and not #5.

Lawndart

This would be the official report released by AF:

http://www.f-16.net/f-16_news_article968.html

Also, if you scroll down, you can find some videos and links related to the crash.

-Funky

The existence of the Cannon, somehow adding weight to the aft.

Hmm, Aft, there is nowhere where this could have been sotred aft!! so as LD said nice one!!!

And if you could please do not post about anything about top-secret clearance or information reguarding this of any type! Because if you infact did have this type of clearance you would not be saying you did, I know this because I used to do the investigations for the squadron I was in when I was in the navy, but I held a CLEARANCE for information. So Agian please do not post anything about that subject (Clearances) of any type, the fourm here is in the public eye as well as the military at all times.

What's up good'ol buddy Cinch !

I cant believe you actually believed what I said! It might have sounded real, but it was a BS that took me 15 minuts to make up. Anyways, the link is real and its officially from AF.

-Funky

I don't think that "thing" is in the best shape of it's life.... i didnt even know it was gun. i thought it was just sum cables

picture just looks like Custom made Long Tube Headers for a Chopper or something... well to me at least