Thunderbird history

WCD-01/WILDCAT · Post by **WCD-01/WILDCAT** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 1:35 pm

I've studied a little bit of Thunderbird history but never really got into it. I was looking at some old Thunderbird photos today and particularily the F-4's. I noticed that unlike the rest of the era's, the F-4 most of the formation photos I saw only consisted of 4-5 jets, anybody know why there wasn't a 6th at the time? Another thing I noticed is that in all but one of the photos I saw the number 4 jet had his tail covered up or blackened out. I was wondering if anybody knew why that is?

http://www.highgallery.com/F-4EThunderbirdsPhotos.html

Post by **Lawndart** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 1:40 pm

Both of these questions have been answered in the past in these forums. I'd suggest you search "blackened tail" or "sooted tail". Basically, they didn't clean the tail of #4 allowing it to get blackened from flying behind Lead's exhaust. The reason why you only see 5 Thunderbird Phantoms is because they only had a single solo routine during those years. The dual routine was discontinued after an accident just prior to the Phantom era.

LD

WCD-01/WILDCAT · Post by **WCD-01/WILDCAT** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 2:05 pm

Thank you, sorry about reposting the same question

Post by **Lawndart** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 2:11 pm

No problem. Click here for a direct link to one of the threads discussing the blackened tail.

LD

STRIKER · Post by **STRIKER** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 2:18 pm

Now this is what I would call inverted!

WCD-01/WILDCAT · Post by **WCD-01/WILDCAT** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 2:39 pm

Man, I would've loved to see this show! F-4's look awsome!