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Airframe Details for F-16 #86-0231

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F-16 Aircraft Profile

Aircraft: 86-0231
LM Aero T/V 5C-337
Plant General Dynamics
Local C/N
Delivered USAF 86231
F-16C Block 30C
Current USAF 86231
F-16C Block 30C
Status [act]

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Aircraft History

Date Status Local S/N Airforce/Unit Version Name Info
29 Jul 1987 [act] 86231 F-16C Block 30C
Aug 1987 [act] 86231 USAF 23 TFS 'SP' F-16C Block 30C
Special characteristics:
  • Unit Markings: 23 TFS
Oct 1988 [act] 86231 USAF 527 AS 'WR' F-16C Block 30C
Bort number 13
Jan 1990 [act] 86231 USAF 23 TFS 'SP' F-16C Block 30C
Dec 1991 [act] 86231 USAF 149 TFS 'VA' F-16C Block 30C
15 Mar 1992 [act] 86231 USAF 149 FS 'VA' F-16C Block 30C
A pilot flew the aircraft (may have been 86-0232) above 85,000 feet at as of yet some unknown time. The aircraft stalled and went into a flat spin. The fuselage was over stressed as it maintained over 9Gs of force for over two minutes. Pilot lost consciousness but regained awareness and was able to land safely. Major repairs had to be conducted on the aircraft which put it out of service for a few years. Date returned to service is also needed. From then on the aircraft received the name space bird.
Unknown [act] 86231 USAF 149 FS 'VA' F-16C Block 30C
13 Jul 2007 [act] 86231 USAF 457 FS 'TX' F-16C Block 30C
05 Jul 2012 [act] 86231 USAF 457 FS 'TX' F-16C Block 30C
Special characteristics:
  • Special Colorscheme
Special 40th anniversary tail art scheme applied.
Unknown [act] 86231 USAF 457 FS 'TX' F-16C Block 30C
Special characteristics:
  • Unit Markings: 301 FW
Aug 2021 [act] 86231 USAF 457 FS 'TX' F-16C Block 30C
Dec 2023 [act] 86231 USAF 706 AGRS 'LV' F-16C Block 30C

Crew Chief Comments

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SSgt. David Branson

Crew Chief Profile
23rd Fighter Squadron "Fighting Hawks" , 1986 - 1988


Abbreviations and symbols:
[act] Active [i/a] Instructional Airframe [sto] Stored (e.g. at AMARG)
[cld] Cancelled Order [msh] Involved in Mishap [w/o] Write-off
[con] Converted [o/o] On Order
[des] Destroyed (drone) [pre] Preserved (museum, gateguard) T/V LM Aero Type/Version (Construction) number
[emb] Embargoed [scr] Scrapped Photo Available
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