Attached File

That's an unusual and epic photo.

I remember when the YF-16 was first being introduced and paraded around, before there were any of the FSD Grey Falcons.



It was just this red, white, blue, and black, strange-looking plane with blended wings and a viper-like leading edge root extension planform, with a big intake underneath.

It did things in the air no other fighter could do when looking at maneuverability, and was always a crowd-pleaser.

That was in the 1970s when things were much different.  They turned one of the YF-16 prototypes into the F-16CCV demonstrator.



My dad ended up working on it later with some of the advanced systems being developed for the F-16C subsequent production blocks, originally planned for Block 30, but later implemented on Block 50/52.

One of my best friend's dad was the chief test pilot on the F-16 CTF at Edwards, while another worked on developmental engines for DEEC on the F100 improvements.  I remember going over to the pilot's house and watching his HUD video practice sessions for the Edwards open house, and hearing how guttural and physical the whole thing was.

Flight restrictions were more relaxed back then, as it was at the height of the Reagan years, which was awesome.

I remember building that model.  Beautiful bird no matter what colors.

Yep, I built the model too. Those photos instantly bring back memories.

Op how did you get that pic?

Attached File
Attached File

Great pic

Won't see the 158th flying those babies anymore.  So glad those old ass Blk30's are gone

Found it on internet. Forgot where now.

OK, not an F16, but remember...

Big mouth Block 30s are some of the most fun times I've had in a Viper.  Don't envy those guys going to the 35.

If I could get the chance to fly any military aircraft ever made,  as the pilot, I'd pick the F-16 and not be too picky about which block it is.

My favorite plane by far.

Although just about every former F-16 pilot who has transitioned to the F-35 says the F-35 is the place to be for situational awareness and winning the engagement, I've heard that for pure flying enjoyment most of them still prefer the F-16.

Here's a Nellis 64th Squadron Aggressor in the Have Glass V paint scheme which applies the RAM coatings developed for the F-35 to the F-16, for a classified but presumably substantial reduction in RCS over previous schemes.

Awesome  sauce!

@bull-f16

How about a fun dusk a video

https://www.facebook.com/pafsherdils/videos/1100159686768509/

I was a Dock Shop Weenie on A&B models for 4 years.
It used to bother Me to see a Two-Holer taxi out with nobody in the back seat. What a waste.
If there was somebody there, it would be the new Gal in Ops, not the Crew Chief that's pored his heart & soul into His/Her Suck & Blow Tinker Toy.
(Can You tell I'm a PropHead?)

F-16 trivia:  The USN had a special version F-16 made for them, the F-16N, for use as aggressor aircraft.  They were the lightest and quickest F-16s ever built, being built without weapons systems.   They were so light and had so much thrust relative to their weight that they were capable of supercruise.

They were also the most maneuverable F-16s ever made.

Some upgrades were made on them in production because it was known that they'd be flown very hard. Those upgrades included making wing attachment structures out of titanium.   Despite that, the Ns were retired after a fairly short service life due to wing root cracks caused by being flown so aggressively so often.

Here you go.