Forum: General F-16 forum

How many F-16s are there with 333 on the tail. I could find 5 in the database that were built and 1 that was canceled. Did they all have the nick name Triple Cripple?

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I can assure you that 79-0333 did indeed have the nickname "Triple Cripple". It was the first F-16 I ever worked when I arrived at Shaw AFB in May 1982; the job was to remove and replace the J132 INU connector. I have never heard of anyone doing that particular job ever since.

It was a pig. We knew that when Triple Cripple flew, we would have work.

Best Regards,

The 144th in Fresno has one I think it's 86-0333. The DCC calls it half way to hell, the rest of us call it half assed evil Wink

86-333 was a major pig at the Kun in 91, it used to have a pull to one side while taxiing.

We have 86-0333 in Des Moines at the 132nd Fighter Wing. She has been a big sometimes but we have given her some guard love and she is a pretty good flier. She still has the nickname Triple Cripple.

I was at the kun in 94-95 the crew chief of it the called it tripple threat.

I am a Phase Crew Chief and have put a lot of sweat and blood into her to get her to the shape she is in now. She was a piece of crap when we got her from Cannon, but we have got here cleaned up pretty good.

Yes she was known as triple cripple at Cannon. Glad to hear she found a good home and is being treated like she should.

Yeah I worked trip three in the Kun (89/90) took her to the [Link pending approval] flew good. Have pics of her. want to see?

By the way how many of you worked F-16's from Block 5-Block 52? I have. I,m talking about black nose, small tails, big tails, big mouths, small mouths, lightweight gear, heavyweight gear, GE F-110/129, Pratt 220[Link pending approval] can go on. Hell the F-16 at the top of the page (3467) I conducted the acceptance inspection along with her sister 470
(a tub too)...That is a two seater to you [Link pending approval] old heads know what I'm talking about.

weapons wrote:

Yeah I worked trip three in the Kun (89/90) took her to the P.I. flew good. Have pics of her. want to see?

Yes we would like to see those. Very Happy

weapons wrote:

By the way how many of you worked F-16's from Block 5-Block 52? I have. I,m talking about black nose, small tails, big tails, big mouths, small mouths, lightweight gear, heavyweight gear, GE F-110/129, Pratt 220/229...I can go on. Hell the F-16 at the top of the page (3467) I conducted the acceptance inspection along with her sister 470
(a tub too)...That is a two seater to you newbies...the old heads know what I'm talking about.

I did 10's to 60's....

I'm with the above, 10's to 60's. Personally I like the clean look of the 25's but always heard the pilots jabber about the performance of a Block 60 with no conformals in an FCF config. Watched so many incentive rides and FCF's depart there was really no comparison. Block 60 had a few dirty secrets like a Block 15 with a 220. I also think Lockheed said the -132 had to be derated to 32k thrust but don't know if that was rumor or not? Don't know who got there wires crossed there but remember a few testcell runs in cooler weather that would make you look twice. The engine was an animal. The 60's had some teething pains but I think if it was under the AF SPO's and ALC's and "deeper pockets" it would be a bargain for the huge gap we are going to endure in the coming years. Hell are our two latest and greatest even flying again yet? Aging the block 60 (last 7 years) which had about 18 years of R&D before it was delivered and seeing major issues that still needed rework makes me angry that the F-35 is being sold as some turn key golden egg. C-17 might be the best deal I will have seen during my career.

Forum: General F-16 forum

F-16s With 333 on the tail