Whenever the weather permits for a High Show, the Thunderbirds launch with the Diamond Loop on Takeoff. Here's a clip from last year's show at Aviation Nation. When the formation is at an angle of 135 degrees into the vertical the Slot pilot makes what appears to be a rather easy move, but actually one that demands a lot more than it looks, as the formation crests the top of the loop while powering out of burner and apexing at ~170 knots. The F100-PW-229 engines definitely like the slick exterior and polished paint of the Thunderbird jets, making a maneuver like this possible.

I think it would look a lot cleaner if the #4 went into the slot right after takeoff as opposed to over the top. Just my opinion.

Have you tried this in FC2 with correct fuel settings? Seems a bit difficult to say the least.

Rhino wrote:I think it would look a lot cleaner if the #4 went into the slot right after takeoff as opposed to over the top. Just my opinion.

Have you tried this in FC2 with correct fuel settings? Seems a bit difficult to say the least.

Actually we suspect "cleaner" is the reason 4 stopped going slot on takeoff - scorch marks on top of the tail.

Rhino wrote:I think it would look a lot cleaner if the #4 went into the slot right after takeoff as opposed to over the top. Just my opinion.

I agree but I think the ACL wasn't holding up under AB conditions. Just me "thinking outside the box" of why they stopped the transition right after TO. No clue if that is the true reason.

Doh beat by 7, LOL.

Rhino wrote:Have you tried this in FC2 with correct fuel settings? Seems a bit difficult to say the least.

Well... if it was easy, everyone would do it!

We have tried it, and it's nearly impossible in the F-15 FM, but with the F-16 FM fully loaded it performs pretty much to specs. The only real limiting factor is the lack of accurate augmentation stages (there are 11 on the real F100-PW-229) and in Lock On you're lucky if you can differentiate between low and high AB. With only low AB we're on the tangent of minimums and requiring a slight amount more drive time before the second rotation into the vertical, but it's still doable.