F-22 Thunderbird

[DOVPILOT]

When will the AF switch to the F-22, if at all ???

 

[El Cid '95]

Never. They won't switch for the same reason they never switched to the F-15. The F-22 is a bit too expensive to use for airshows.

 

[YourPilotFriend]

F-35 maybe never the 22 though, way too expensive.

 

[The_Russian]

I believe it is due to the fact that the F-15 and -22 are too large in size.

 

[SIG600]

I believe it is due to the fact that the F-15 and -22 are too large in size.

Wrong. F-4 anyone? It's 250 mil a copy. Just like was said twice before.

 

[328dude]

There usually converted to airshow aircraft after it's useful life is done with the military side. The 22 is to new.

 

[tangodelta21]

The 16 is far from past it's prime....

 

[JimNtexas]

I think the Thunderbirds should fly B-2s. They could pull 6 more B-1s out of storage to do the actual work and let the B-2 excel at what it does best, looking good in the shower.

 

[frog_flyer]

I'm pretty sure you have to cross the international dateline to get to some airshows: that rules the F22 out.


I'm being a dick; don't respond.


.... was pretty ridiculous though...

 

[DaveGriffin]

I'm pretty sure you have to cross the international dateline to get to some airshows: that rules the F22 out.


I'm being a dick; don't respond.


.... was pretty ridiculous though...

I bet the tanker guys got a few free beers after guiding the Raptors back to Hawaii. They were lucky the weather was good.

That's what happens when the onboard computer in the F-22 is an IBM 360 - now that's cutting edge technology for $125 million.

 

[Benhuntn]

They won't make the F-22 a T-bird since the crowd wouldn't be able to see it since it has stealth features.

 

[Skyrunner]

http://members.aol.com/samc130/horsemen.html

That's all I gotta say 'bout that.

CB

 

[CrewDawg]

There usually converted to airshow aircraft after it's useful life is done with the military side. The 22 is to new.

T-Clones are currently flying Block 32's. I wouldn't say they are past their prime.

 

[Diesel-9]

Bring back the F-4, LOUD-LOUD-LOUD, best show T-birds and Blue Angels ever put on. T-38 and A-4 shows were the worst...

 

[ExAF]

Twoup!

Bring back the F-4, LOUD-LOUD-LOUD, best show T-birds and Blue Angels ever put on. T-38 and A-4 shows were the worst...

Twoup!

 

[AvroGuy]

http://members.aol.com/samc130/horsemen.html

That's all I gotta say 'bout that.

CB

so what you are telling us is that the C-17 or 130J nets to be in thunder chicken paint.

 

[tomgoodman]

Yikes!!

Bring back the F-4, LOUD-LOUD-LOUD, best show T-birds and Blue Angels ever put on.

Yeah, especially the "arrival show", where they would sneak up on the crowd from behind. The base laundry shop would get a sudden spike in business!

 

[Occam's Razor]

The Phantom shows put on by the 'Birds and the Blues were the most memorable. The J79's shook your guts when they started the takeoff roll. It was deafening!

The A-4, T-38, F-16, and F-18 look graceful, and like they were intended to look good in tight formation doing acro.

There was nothing "graceful" about the Phantom! When they tightened-up and made it do neat tricks, I think it was more impressive because none of it looked "natural".

 

[Diesel-9]

For you Phantom lovers, recommend a movie, THRESHOLD, The Blue Angel Experience. Think it is still available. 90 minutes of great photography in tight formations going thru a season and then winter training. A must for any Phantom drivers or Phans.

 

[727C47]

bring back the P-51 for the birds(I know,i know they were never piston,then bring back the HUN),bearcats for the Blues

 

[Weasel Keeper]

T-Clones are currently flying Block 32's. I wouldn't say they are past their prime.

According to Wickipedia, they say the 86 and 87 block 32H/Js are some of the oldest in the USAF inventory. As a Crew Chief on an 84 block 25 I can say we have them beat for the oldest, and we're still doing the sandbox...and doing it well. :beer:

To make the Tbirds switch to 22s you'd have to have 4-5 spares for every launch!

 

[bertengineer]

F-22 is the RAPTOR you retard!

 

[XShipRider]

I think the Thunderbirds should fly B-2s. They could pull 6 more B-1s out of storage to do the actual work and let the B-2 excel at what it does best, looking good in the shower.

How 'bout the B-52 instead?

 

[The_Russian]

How 'bout the B-52 instead?

Automatic, constant black smoke! Awesome. Can you imagine what #4 would look like after one show? hehehehehe You may not even be able to see him during the delta manuevers!

I guess they could no longer say "Smoke on"!

 

[ExAF]

Naaa

Automatic, constant black smoke! Awesome. Can you imagine what #4 would look like after one show? hehehehehe You may not even be able to see him during the delta manuevers!

I guess they could no longer say "Smoke on"!

Naaaa...they just wouldn't be able to say "Smoke OFF!"

 

[XShipRider]

I'm going to venture a guess, the Thunderbird pilots like the F-16 for it's incredible low altitude performance. The AF has a relatively cheap Air Show aircraft in the F-16. This is an aircraft with amazing performance which is what air shows are all about.

 

[JimNtexas]

How 'bout the B-52 instead?

The B-52 is a great airplane, but it's airshow record isn't exactly stellar.

 

[Benhuntn]

New T-bird airshow aircraft to be announced. Leakers state "the T-6 Texan"

It will include gear up landings as a finalle