Forum: F-16 Design & Construction

Is it true that wings from a block 15 are sometimes placed on an F-16 block 10? This must be costly of course as it some re-engineering needs to be done.

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I know about block 30 wings placed on block 10's.
There are block 10 aircrafts with block 5 wings on one side and block 10 on the [Link pending approval]
Of course, there is a need of reengineering, especially the wiring.

The picture in the <a href="http://www.f-16.net/modules.php?set_albumName=album30&op=modload&name=PhotoGallery&file=index&include=view_album.php">photo gallery</a> of the 18FS jet that jumped chocks and landed on its side caused a wing change. The jet is a block 40 and the wing that was replaced is a block 30 wing.

Guest

Unless your checking part and serial #'s you shouldnt be able to tell what block wing was put on. There are obvious differences a crew chief would be able to tell if some panels were off from the leading edge flap. I really doubt that block 30 wings were put on a block 40. Where is your support for that statement? Did you actually change that wing?

the most obvious way to tell the differenece wouled be on the leading edge flap side. the rotary actuators that control the leading edge flaps are installed with screws on the block 30 and older aircraft. block 40 and newer would be with pins and clips. therefore there could be no possible way to interchange a block 30 and block 40 wing. there are specific wings for specific blocks.

the most obvious way to tell the differenece wouled be on the leading edge flap side. the rotary actuators that control the leading edge flaps are installed with screws on the block 30 and older aircraft. block 40 and newer would be with pins and clips. therefore there could be no possible way to interchange a block 30 and block 40 wing. there are specific wings for specific blocks.

Guest wrote:

Unless your checking part and serial #'s you shouldnt be able to tell what block wing was put on. There are obvious differences a crew chief would be able to tell if some panels were off from the leading edge flap. I really doubt that block 30 wings were put on a block 40. Where is your support for that statement? Did you actually change that wing?

Of course part # were checked, how do you think the wing got ordered? Its not like wings get ordered all the time so the supply system is somewhat limited and in this case we had to take what we could get. And I actually assisted the wing removal while our fuelshop did most of the work as it is considered a fuel cell. Oh and as for your comment about the rotary actuators and it not being possible. How would you know? How many wings have you ordered before. Oh and btw when you get the wing it doesnt come with a flaperon, lef, or ROTARY ACTUATORS.
good day

Guest

OK you want to play nasty? Just for your cocky info I'm a crew chief on the 16 also and have changed over 20 block 50 wings and 4 block 30 wings. I personally was the crew chief in charge of removing everything from the wing. I wasnt an "Assistant." So yea I think I know what I'm talking about when I say that unless different mount brackets for the rotary actuators were installed then a block 40 wing couldnt be installed on the block 30. As for ordering wings, yea been there done that. Oh an your BTW is common sense, why would a wing come with everything installed on it anyways????? Everyone knows a wing comes by itself, duh.

I would really doubt they put a block 30 (thin top skin) on a Block 40 (thick top skin) aircraft. This would put some interesting stresses on the aircraft if the other wing wasnt replaced with the same block. Oh and before you question MY credentials.......I have worked the F-16 for 20 years and spent the last 6 years in the depot here at Hill, I have lost count of all the wing and tail changes I have done.

Mark @ Hill

I think if they put a block 30 wing on a block 40 then someone needs some remedial training in reading an IPB. I too seriously doubt that this really happened. Eielson is a block 40 [Link pending approval] would have been NO block 30 wings even in the supply system there. If it did in fact happen then that jet needs to be grounded IMMEDIATELY and have the proper wing [Link pending approval] not a suitable sub!!!!

Guest

About time there are some people that agree with me on this subject. Block 30 wings dont go on a block 40. I didnt realize 40 wings are thicker skinned on the top, just proves you learn somethign new every day.

A block 40 wing will not work on a block 30 aircraft, the biggest reason this because the Finger Braces (fittings that hold the wing on) are way bigger on a 40. It just simply will not work

Not quite sure about the 30 to 40 argument but it sounds like you guys have got hat one figured out anyways. What I can tell you is that the 28 16s that were originally destined for PK and instead split between the Navy and USAF are block 15 airframes with block 30 wings.

When USAF put the big tails on the Block 15's to help alleviate the deep stall problem, the Block 10 birds we had at Hill were re-fitted with the bigger tail doofers.

Hence, we had an expression 'small tail Block Tens', which, IMHO were the best early versions. Light as original, better computer software, improved engine electronic controls, and some other stuff.

As far as swapping the basic wing? I defer to the wrenchbenders above.

out,

sweetpete, did they come that way from GD or were they refitted? The reason I ask is that the embargoed PK birds were "late" production A models built when USAF Block 30s were already in production (based on their SerNos).

Forum: F-16 Design & Construction

Block 15 wings on an F-16 Block 10 - true or not?