Thunderbirds getting new "used" aircraft???

FALCON56 · Post by **FALCON56** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 11:15 pm

According to a column I found on f16.net the Thunderbirds are getting F-16 CJS as there next set of aircraft.. 5 in total from the 389th FS from Mountain Home AFB... Maybe I misunderstoof the article but thats whats I got out of it.. the following is an excerpt from the column. I will include the link to the site.

"Many of the changes mandated by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission for the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home AFB last year will be happening much faster than expected, with one off the most important moves taking place between now and next spring, rather than 2009.

The draw-down of F-16CJs assigned to the 389th Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base is scheduled to begin next month ((October 2006) and expected to be finished by March 31 2007.

The F-16s are slated to go to the 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire Air National Guard Base, S.C., and the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, NV - including five for the "Thunderbirds" areal display team. "

http://www.f-16.net/f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-6706.html

Falcon56

Post by **Lawndart** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 1:43 am

Could be. Rumor has it (from an inside source) they will be getting block 52's soon and this was posted a while back by Grab in another thread: viewtopic.php?t=771

grab6303 wrote:We will get Block 52 Vipers at some point in the next few years...

A quick look at Wiki shows the F-16CJ/DJ = Block 50/52. They must be getting a few additional ones from somewhere else I would guess? It wouldn't make sense to have five Block 52's in a 6-ship demo...

Also from Wikipedia (and to date):

The Block 32H/J aircraft assigned to the USAF Thunderbird flight demonstration squadron were built in 1986 and 1987 and are some of the oldest operational F-16's in the Air Force.

Burner · Post by **Burner** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 12:38 pm

Glad to hear (a rumor) that the Tbirds will be getting 52s sooner rather than later. Poooowwwwweerr!!!

FALCON56 · Post by **FALCON56** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 7:20 pm

the team is definately fliying some of the oldest jets right now.. Here are the Serials for the aircraft..Of course we all know that they change due to mechanical or flight hour reasons...

Serials for 2006

#1 86-0281
#2 87-0313
#3 87-0325
#4 87-0331
#5 87-0319
#6 87-0303
#7A 87-0305
#7B 87-0323
#7C 87-0329
#8A 86-0041
#8B 86-0039

scking · Post by **scking** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 9:51 pm

I would think the F35 would be their natural next step since it will eventually (so they say) replace the F16, A10, Harrier and F/A-18.. The F22 would be way too exspensive but after seeing the F22 at an airshow this year I can see why its so exspensive. It sounds like a roaring lion when it goes by

FALCON56 · Post by **FALCON56** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 11:47 pm

I dont forsee the Thunderbirds getting that airframe anytime soon.. I think the F-35 goes into service around 2010 .. I believe.. Dont quote me on that... Even once there out (the F-35) the team probably wouldnt get new bird theyd just get the jets, much later in airframe time and high in flight hours, after they fulfilled there duty on the front lines... But who knows only time will tell..

Falcon56

Rhino · Post by **Rhino** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 12:48 am

Everyone needs to remember where the jets belong first and foremost, which is on the front lines!

FALCON56 · Post by **FALCON56** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 1:59 pm

Rhino,

Thanks for backing me up on what I said in my previous post... We all have our dream list of what should or shouldnt be used for shows... I guess that old saying " Work before pleasure" comes to mind... The jets must "work" AKA DEFEND OUR Nation.. Then they can fly in an airshow.."pleasure"..

Falcon56

scking · Post by **scking** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 7:22 pm

Sorry.. did not mean to insinuate in my post that they would be getting them soon... Was making a F35 vs F22 statement

I believe only 56 F22s are under production contract and around 2600 F35s are under production contract (thats both US (USN, USMC, USAF) and UK combined). Delivery of F35s to begin in 2009, first test flights this year.

Whats good is both Boeing and Lockheed will be producing the F35 under Lockheed's design..

I dont think it looks that bad

Post by **Lawndart** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 7:26 pm

The Thunderbirds are getting new birds 2007 (see top post). Here's to another 10 years of one of the most successful fighters ever built! The Viper!!!

Cheers!

FALCON56 · Post by **FALCON56** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:26 pm

LD,

Yeah Im looking forward to that.. Should be neat. BLOCK 52s baby!!!

Falcon56