Forum: F-16 Spotting & Photography

Hello. Today the Boeing Co took possesion of F-16C Block 30B tail number 85-1568. It is slated to become one of the first six aircraft for QF-16 flight test. I am interested in hearing from previous crew chiefs/pilots/maintainers, etc who dedicated their blood sweat and tears to this aircraft while it was in service as an F-16. I have some involvement in the program and worked F-16s for about 14 years. I hope to preserve some the history behind these F-16's as they become modified to fly in the drone mission. So fire away, share your stories and pictures!

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If I recall correctly, 85-1568 went to Gunsmoke '89 from Misawa AB, where it was assigned to the 14th FS. John Oppie was the Crew Chief. As I recall, it was a good jet and I can personally guarantee that it was a pipper bomber. Sad to see it going to the drone fleet.

Opus, you out there? Any good stories about your jet?

Best Regards,

Hey Joe,
Sorry to disagree with you; but this was not part of our Gunsmoke 89 team.

432 FW/PAF Gunsmoke 89 Aircraft:

Mine aircraft was 85-1567 - Pilot Major Lawrence Wells "Currently MAJ Gen". 85-1567 was one of our best bombers I think Major Wells even won one of the events "Low Drag".

I hope all is well with you.
Drop me a line sometime Joe.

Take Care,

I've linked the serial so you can see our history on the aircraft. Click the serial in your message. Can you tell us something about the aircraft? Does it still have NY ANG markings? What was the AMARG storage number (AAFGXXXX)?

Thank you,
Jon

Hi John,

Well, I was only one tail number off...not bad after 22 years! Good to hear from you buddy..

Best Regards,

My apologies folks! The actual tail number is 85-1569. Sorry about that! So any stories/photos about 85-1569 would be great. The aircraft arrived with no tail flash markings. Again, looking for any info/stories/pics of 85-1569.

Still only one tail number off...

Best Regards,

Well not bad after 22 years'

So IF this is tail # 85-1569

It was part of our Gunsmoke 89 Team.
DCC - Ralph E. Myers
ADCC- James P. Dodson

Ralph or JP give some info on your jet.

If I find anything else I will let you know.

John

mtank wrote:

My apologies folks! The actual tail number is 85-1569. Sorry about that! So any stories/photos about 85-1569 would be great. The aircraft arrived with no tail flash markings. Again, looking for any info/stories/pics of 85-1569.

I flew it to the boneyard. Still a good jet, had less hours on it than most.

So is the the fate of the small mouth 30s?
And who else is flying small mouths besides Jeresy?

Racer497 wrote:

And who else is flying small mouths besides Jeresy?

Hey Racer,

No one actually - SD still has a few but they are replaced as the Block-40s come in from Hill!! I expect Jersey to become another Block-40 or -50 candidate supporting deployments with either Minnesota or South Dakota.

Cheers,

Henrik.

Racer497 wrote:

And who else is flying small mouths besides Jeresy?

the 301st Fighter Wing at Carswell, plus a handful at Edwards with the 445FLTS.

JakeMelampy wrote:

Racer497 wrote:

And who else is flying small mouths besides Jeresy?

the 301st Fighter Wing at Carswell, plus a handful at Edwards with the 445FLTS.

Jake is right, but the 301st is AFRC and always "hooks up" with the "Big Inlet" Block-30 equipped 482nd FW at Homestead ARB during deployments and exercises.

Guard-wise only the NJ ANG currently flies "Small Inlet" Blokc-30s.

The AMARG PCN for 85-1569 is AAFG0635. AMARG will not be using PCN's any longer, just aircraft S/N's.

I know this post is older, but 1569 used to be on the line in Syracuse with my jet, 85-1570. During our last few months of flying, all of us were jobbing on multiple jets. We probably have some pics floating around about both jets, as well as some stories. Drop me a line with any updated info. Thanks!

Forum: F-16 Spotting & Photography

QF-16 85-1568. Looking for stories and photos.