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Page General » General Discussion
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Archived [ARCHIVED THREAD] - Is the F-16 the most successful jet fighter in history? (Page 1 of 4)
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Posted: 2/14/2020 5:38:46 PM EDT
4,500 made with the Block 70/72 flying off the shelves and countries scrambling to get in line. Numerous countries replacing their garbage Mig-29s with F-16s. The F-16 is around 76-1 in terms of air to air kills, the F-15 is like 104-0. But only about 1,200 F-15s have been produced. I think only seven countries operate F-15s while 26 operate the F-16 with a bunch more coming on line.

The Block 70/72 is selling at around $112-113 million a piece and they are selling like hot cakes.

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 5:39:20 PM EDT
[#1]
Lawn dart FTMFW
Link Posted: 2/14/2020 5:41:03 PM EDT
[#2]
I would have thought the F-5E Tiger II sold more but the F-16 series is still in production.

EDIT - Wiki only says a little over 2,000 F-5s were made, I would have thought it was a lot more as many air forces flew them

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 5:41:47 PM EDT
[#3]
F-16 is one sexy looking bird. They never seem to get old, and age like fine wine.
Link Posted: 2/14/2020 5:41:52 PM EDT
[#4]
Id buy one.
Link Posted: 2/14/2020 5:44:05 PM EDT
[#5]
It's worth noting that the single combat loss of an F-16, was to another F-16. So that's kinda a wash.

Comparing it's record to the F-15, it's a credible Air to Air combatant. It's not quite as good as the 15 in the Pure A2A role but it is head and shoulders above everything else comparable. The Combination of the 15 and the 16 is pretty uniquely formidable in the annals of Aerial warfare.

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 5:45:40 PM EDT
[#6]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
I would have thought the F-5E Tiger II sold more but the F-16 series is still in production.

EDIT - Wiki only says a little over 2,000 F-5s were made, I would have thought it was a lot more as many air forces flew them
View Quote
I am not sure what you are referring to; the F-16 has sold like three times the number of F-5s.

The F-5 was certainly successful, especially as a private venture. But it doesn’t compare to F-16 by any metrics.

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 5:46:34 PM EDT
[#7]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
I am not sure what you are referring to; the F-16 has sold like three times the number of F-5s.

The F-5 was certainly successful, especially as a private venture. But it doesn’t compare to F-16 by any metrics.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
I would have thought the F-5E Tiger II sold more but the F-16 series is still in production.

EDIT - Wiki only says a little over 2,000 F-5s were made, I would have thought it was a lot more as many air forces flew them
I am not sure what you are referring to; the F-16 has sold like three times the number of F-5s.

The F-5 was certainly successful, especially as a private venture. But it doesn’t compare to F-16 by any metrics.
I guess you missed the EDIT part

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 5:47:55 PM EDT
[#8]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
F-16 is one sexy looking bird. They never seem to get old, and age like fine wine.
View Quote
agree... still looks modern and relevant to my eye.

was always fun at airshows to see them just lift off the ground on takeoff and go vertical..

::edit::
Attachment Attached File



sexah..

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 5:52:58 PM EDT
[#9]
Define successful and comparison to other fighter jets?   There have been many more jets made with more air and air kills (not ratio) than the F-16 just to name one variable.

There are too may variables.  It is a very successful jet fighter.  But you  have define successful in comparison to others.

The F-4 Phantom has the most air to air kills of supersonic jets but not at the kill ratio of the F-16.

The F-86 sabre has the most air to air kills of any jet.

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 5:55:09 PM EDT
[#10]
the F-16 is the greatest.


Link Posted: 2/14/2020 5:57:31 PM EDT
[#11]
I like the F16, but I I love the F4

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 5:57:44 PM EDT
[#12]
... shear numbers would suggest it's way up there

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 5:59:57 PM EDT
[#13]
Latest versions are looking a bit chonky.

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But they still get the job done.
Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:00:27 PM EDT
[#14]
Now proudly made in South Carolina.  
Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:06:09 PM EDT
[#15]
Some think so
Dos Gringos - I Wish I Had A Gun Just Like The A-10

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:08:00 PM EDT
[#16]
F-4 Phantom.  STILL #1.
5195 Built.  Introduced May 27 1958. Still In Service Today.
Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:10:19 PM EDT
[#17]
Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:10:59 PM EDT
[#18]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Define successful and comparison to other fighter jets?   There have been many more jets made with more air and air kills (not ratio) than the F-16 just to name one variable.

There are too may variables.  It is a very successful jet fighter.  But you  have define successful in comparison to others.

The F-4 Phantom has the most air to air kills of supersonic jets but not at the kill ratio of the F-16.

The F-86 sabre has the most air to air kills of any jet.
View Quote
I am not sure about your argument. The F-86 had more units produced and more countries buying it but the latter is close and about to eclipse the F-86 in terms of countries utilizing it. And there are less fighters in service in general than in the 1950s and 1960s. And the F-16 is still selling,

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:11:24 PM EDT
[#19]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Latest versions are looking a bit chonky.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/383325/image_png-1276155.JPGhttps://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/383325/image_jpeg-1276156.JPG

But they still get the job done.
View Quote
Cancer stricken F-16 is best F-16.

I don’t know why but the F-16 with the Dorsal Spine and CFTs and all the other electro optical and EW shit hanging off it is so sexy.

It’s not sleek by any means but she looks so mean.
Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:12:05 PM EDT
[#20]
More F-4 Phantoms were built (5,000+) than the F-16 and the F-4 has more kills than the F-16, but I gotta give the '16 credit, it has been (and continues to be) a very good aircraft. It's kind of crazy how many countries are flying it and that it still is being built today.
Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:12:33 PM EDT
[#21]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
It's worth noting that the single combat loss of an F-16, was to another F-16. So that's kinda a wash.

Comparing it's record to the F-15, it's a credible Air to Air combatant. It's not quite as good as the 15 in the Pure A2A role but it is head and shoulders above everything else comparable. The Combination of the 15 and the 16 is pretty uniquely formidable in the annals of Aerial warfare.
View Quote
An Indian Mig-21 shot down a Pakistani F-16.

https://www.ar15.com/forums/general/Indian-Paki-Air-Combat-Exchange--February-2019---What-actually-happened/5-2230207/

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:13:06 PM EDT
[#22]
There were over 11,000 MiG 21 produced, plus 2400 Chinese Chengdu J-7 copies.
Close to triple the number of F-16's
I guess it depends on your definition of success.

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:17:43 PM EDT
[#23]
Awe...my last assigned air-frame. A pretty impressive suck-and-blow tinkertoy (proud Prop-Head here).

I spent my last 4 years as a part-time F-16 Dock Shop Weenie.

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:19:14 PM EDT
[#24]
OP if you are going by production numbers the mig 21 & Me 109 are the most successful
Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:19:42 PM EDT
[#25]
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Even on the ground, it is sexy...but so is the F-15
Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:20:33 PM EDT
[#26]
It’s definitely aesthetic.

Failed To Load Title


ETA: 1:21

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:26:20 PM EDT
[#27]
A Thunderbird pilot had to eject after a practice run at USAFA a couple of years ago.  Saw pics of the plane afterwards, looked like it pancaked in a field south of town.  It looked like they could set it on a truck and haul it back to Pete Field, then fly it again. No visible damage.
Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:27:12 PM EDT
[#28]
F4 Phantom I would say is more . Being it met all services needs but I would agree the 16 is there too
Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:29:26 PM EDT
[#29]
'15 & '16 were the most form follows function birds ever built (with a nod to yhe SR71 & B1B). Not much stealth. Lots of turn and burn.

We should have used up all the earths resources building zillions of them.
Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:29:59 PM EDT
[#30]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
F-16 is one sexy looking bird. They never seem to get old, and age like fine wine.
View Quote
Super pretty.

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:31:00 PM EDT
[#31]
Selling and giving away a  bunch of monkey model export versions to 2nd rate air forces around the globe doesn't make it better than the 15.  Everything the 16 does, the 15 does better.
Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:32:07 PM EDT
[#32]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
F-4 Phantom.  STILL #1.
5195 Built.  Introduced May 27 1958. Still In Service Today.
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/318250/phantom-sunset-1276160.jpg
View Quote
Phantom is boomer plane.

The F-16 has modern aerodynamics and electronics. It’s far superior in just about any mission you can come up with and much sexier to boot.

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:32:28 PM EDT
[#33]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
F-4 Phantom.  STILL #1.
5195 Built.  Introduced May 27 1958. Still In Service Today.
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/318250/phantom-sunset-1276160.jpg
View Quote
Never been a fan.
Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:32:53 PM EDT
[#34]
I’ll never forget the first time I got in the cockpit of a block 50. Like seeing tits in my face for the first time.

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:36:27 PM EDT
[#35]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
OP if you are going by production numbers the mig 21 & Me 109 are the most successful
View Quote
The ME109 jet?

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:37:30 PM EDT
[#36]
My favorite jet.  My wife likes to say every time I get drunk I just want to tell her about F-16's, she also hated Iron Eagle so there's that...

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:38:37 PM EDT
[#37]
Of course it is....It can carry the Hades bomb.

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:46:31 PM EDT
[#38]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
There were over 11,000 MiG 21 produced, plus 2400 Chinese Chengdu J-7 copies.
Close to triple the number of F-16's
I guess it depends on your definition of success.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/MiG-21_Lancer_C_cropped.jpg
View Quote
And you can buy one of them too!

https://www.raptoraviation.com/warbirds/1974-mig-21um-1

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:47:41 PM EDT
[#39]
Former F16 crew chief checking in. I loved that airplane.

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:50:10 PM EDT
[#40]
Still the sexiest.
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Some days are better than others.
Attachment Attached File

ETA: AD family pic at Eglin
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Link Posted: 2/14/2020 6:56:35 PM EDT
[#41]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
F4 Phantom I would say is more . Being it met all services needs but I would agree the 16 is there too
View Quote
I love:me an F-4 but only 11 countries operated them, they are going to quickly be eclipsed in terms of total numbers based on current F-16 orders, and the F-4 has over a hundred air to air kills against them. Based on the figures I have found the F-4 has about a 3-1 ratio in terms of air-to-air kills.

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 7:02:48 PM EDT
[#42]
Has the Air Force given an F-16 a “Colonial Viper” paint scheme?

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 7:07:26 PM EDT
[#43]
Navy's F-16N is my favorite.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/3383/what-it-was-like-flying-and-fighting-the-f-16n-viper-topguns-legendary-hotrod

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 7:11:56 PM EDT
[#44]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
A Thunderbird pilot had to eject after a practice run at USAFA a couple of years ago.  Saw pics of the plane afterwards, looked like it pancaked in a field south of town.  It looked like they could set it on a truck and haul it back to Pete Field, then fly it again. No visible damage.
View Quote
I remember it looking like some pretty good kinks to the airframe. Time to go find pics to refresh my memory.

ETA Just the front(almost) fell off.

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 7:21:41 PM EDT
[#45]
I can't believe the F-16 gets any love in the "2 is 1 and 1 is none" world of GD.

ETA:

Better to have it and not need it then need it an not have it.  
I don't want to get killed for lack of shooting back.
More???
Link Posted: 2/14/2020 7:25:44 PM EDT
[#46]
Does it make me gay if I think the FA18 is moar sex?

Attachment Attached File

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 7:30:08 PM EDT
[#47]
Phantom F4 made in bigger numbers, fought more battles, and beautifully uglier.
Link Posted: 2/14/2020 7:32:13 PM EDT
[#48]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
The ME109 jet?
View Quote
No the ME 109 was not a jet , you are thinnking of an ME262 .
Link Posted: 2/14/2020 7:32:19 PM EDT
[#49]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:

Phantom is boomer plane.

The F-16 has modern aerodynamics and electronics. It’s far superior in just about any mission you can come up with and much sexier to boot.
View Quote
Since the F-16 first flew 16 years after the F-4, one would expect it to be superior.

Link Posted: 2/14/2020 7:33:29 PM EDT
[#50]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
There were over 11,000 MiG 21 produced, plus 2400 Chinese Chengdu J-7 copies.
Close to triple the number of F-16's
I guess it depends on your definition of success.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/MiG-21_Lancer_C_cropped.jpg
View Quote
That is a bad ass looking Mig 21 !
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