Forum: Off-topic

Does anyone know what their intentions are in the coming years? I assume the Thunderbirds will fly the Viper, until they can replace it with the F-35. I doubt they will go with the Raptor, as the AF now has to deal with the Raptor being delivered in lesser numbers. Then, we have the Blue Angels. Similar quandry they are now in. In keeping with the Hornet tradition, they could, in theory upgrade to the Super Bug, but the Es and Fs are substantially bigger than the A through D models. Doubtful there, at best. However, they could go with the F-35 as well. Would be interesting to see both teams perform with the same (albeit, at least SIMILAR) aircraft. Would be just like the old Phantom days.

F-16.net Sponsor

There are too few Raptors being built - and at way too high of a cost - to dedicate eight or more jets to the Thunderbirds.

I can't imagine either team wanting to fly a bigger and (in the case of the Super Bug) less maneuverable jet.

JSF is probably 10+ years away from entering service.

I don't see them using anything else than they're using now. At least for the next 10 years, like h2 said. Their immediate plans? No different from now.

Didn't they paint one F-15 with a T-bird scheme for an anniversary or something? I saw it in a kit picture, didn't really take a close look. I'm not a fan of huge single seat aircraft.

One of the FSD F-15s was painted in a similar pattern, but it was not a Thunderbird scheme. I have seen a photo of an A-10 model in Thunderbird markings. This was before the team adopted the F-16 and other platforms were being considered.

Some may scoff at the idea of the Thunderbirds using the A-10 but, if you have ever seen an A-10 aerial demonstration, you know those jets can really turn tight and low. The entire show is almost within the confines of the airfield - no waiting for the jet to go a mile or two out, turn around and come back over show center. And don't forget all of the Thunderbirds show is subsonic - even the "high-speed pass".

A-10 is cool but I have had them do passes at me to take pictures. Might be able to kill a lot but too quiet Very Happy

habu2 wrote:

And don't forget all of the Thunderbirds show is subsonic - even the "high-speed pass".

Yes, but reaching the transonic regime Wink

Remember it's all a public relations tool, and it's always been about zoom and boom. While the thought of a Thundrbirds A-10 is intriguing, I highly doubt the Air Force brass would stand for that. Espicially after the repeated attempts to kill that plane. Interesting thought about what those teams will look like in 10 years though, I hate the Raptor and the JSF, I shudder to think about that. . .

I'm thinking that they would most likely pick the F-35 to be the new aircraft for both teams. It just seems to be the most logical choice. However, like you said habu2, the 35 won't enter service until 2009. It won't stand up with an operational wing until about 2010. This means, perhaps that the Thunderbirds, and the Blue Angels won't stand up with the aircraft until around 2011. That's a long time off though. One thing I wish the Thunderbirds would do is LOSE THE D@#% MUSIC!!! The Blues put on a great show, without all the rest of that song and dance. The F-35 isn't the most beautiful jet I've ever seen, but I'd bet it would look a lot better in the paintjobs of the Blues or the 'Birds.

Also remember how long it takes to get a frontline aircraft.

Hornet went operational with the Navy in 1982 and the Marines in 1983. But it wasnt until 1986 that the Blue Angels got to get there hands on F/A-18A/B's and get rid of the then 22 year old A-4 Skyhawks.

As for the bigger less menuverable coment with the E/F the only place I hear that is on this board so I wont go into it. But remember, both teams operated the F-4 Phantom, and you dont get much bigger and less menuverable then that.

As for the idea of using A-10's, hey thats fine for them if they want. But I think the Blue Angels would start flying AV-8's about the same time if you get the idea.

Oh, and Habu, you should see more shows. At Dayton for the centenial, both teams were there, and both did a supersonic pass with the lead solo plane that last happened .....oh never.

Drew

Neither team will accept anything less onto their team than the latest in fighter technology. When Congress was considering canning the Thunderbirds after the infamous "Diamond Crash" in 1982, Gen. Bill Creech went to bat for the team. With the strongly supportive words of Gen. Creech, the Thunderbirds were not only allowed to carry on, but also go back to their roots as the USAF's official demonstrator of contemporary fighter technology. Therefore, they received the Viper. In keeping with this tradition, they will upgrade to the next fighter. There aren't enough Raptors to go around, so it would make the most sense to go with the F-35. The Blue Angels will have a couple planes to choose from (F/A-18E/F/G, or F-35,) but if the Thunderbirds picked the F-35, I don't see why the Blues wouldn't either.

Lawman wrote:

Hornet went operational with the Navy in 1982 and the Marines in 1983. But it wasnt until 1986 that the Blue Angels got to get there hands on F/A-18A/B's and get rid of the then 22 year old A-4 Skyhawks.

Oh, and Habu, you should see more shows. At Dayton for the centenial, both teams were there, and both did a supersonic pass with the lead solo plane that last happened .....oh never.

Drew

BA's got the -18 in 1987, I was at Miramar that year, and have been there ever since. I never did get to see them in the A-4 live though. I wish I had, they used to fly a better show with them, than with the Bug.

I need to go to more shows? Rolling Eyes

I was at Reno, Miramar, Edwards and Nellis, and that was just in the last few months of 2003. I go to several shows a year, and have been to Miramar for 16 straight years, Reno since 2000, March, when they do have shows, and the closed bases-El Toro, Norton, George.....
Trust me dude, I make it to shows every chance I get, it's one of my favorite things to do. Wink

I haven't made it to Dayton, but if I had unlimted resources, I'd go to many other places as well. I just stick to the local events because they are some of the best, and they're close and cheap to go to. I would absolutely love to go to Dayton, Abbottsford, Paris, Farnborough, etc....
Money can get ya anything Wink

Yeah, but you did miss the Largest Airshow in the history of Aviation. Even Farmborough and Paris couldnt put as much together as the Dayton Air and Trade show for the centenial did. And like I said, it was history in the making with having both Air Force and Navy teams at the same show, something that had never been aloud to happen before.

And they may have started flying them in 87, but they unvailed the aircraft in 86 as part of the 50th anniversary, I checked the dates just to be sure. I liked the A-4 show as a kid, but it was missing a whole element with not having a slow fly by at over 40 degrees AOA. Like they say, both the fastest and the slowest air demo on any military Flight display team.

Largest? I think OshKosh eclipses that every year.
nah, still think they flew an beter show with the Scooter.

Habu wrote:

Largest? I think OshKosh eclipses that every year.
nah, still think they flew an beter show with the Scooter.

Thats cause Oshkosh counts by planes not people. And allows weekend fly-ins even if they have to park planes on the highway median. There were 80K people parked in just the Air Force Museam Shuttle bus hub, thats not counting the shuttle bus hubs at University of Dayton Arena, Nutter Center Arena, and not to mention the Airport its self. Ive never seen so many people at something for aviation before

Forum: Off-topic

Thunderbirds & Blue Angels