Israeli pilots flew the F-16I for the first time

DeepSpace · by **DeepSpace** » 02 Feb 2004, 21:35

An Israeli pilot flew the "Sufa" for the first time. Major A. (IAF pilots' names are classified) flew the "Sufa" a few days ago in Forth Worth, Texas.

Habu · by **Habu** » 03 Feb 2004, 02:32

I thought they weren't supposed to photograph them either. Is his face blurred out or something?

DeepSpace · by **DeepSpace** » 03 Feb 2004, 03:08

Yes, his face is blurred out.

Lawman · by **Lawman** » 03 Feb 2004, 06:39

Man now that I see the thing from the front it just looks ugly. Anybody have any figures on the aerodynamic drag, loss in top speed, and additional fuel burn caused by those CFT's?

Kinda reminds me of when I had mono and I looked like cobra snake with my neck all swollen.

Drew

Wildcat · by **Wildcat** » 03 Feb 2004, 10:12

I was having breakfast when I saw that "thing" with F*!%# CFTs, I almost brought up everything!

DeepSpace · by **DeepSpace** » 03 Feb 2004, 11:39

Don't even dare to call my new baby ugly! :wink:

More pictures from that flight:

click for a larger version: http://www.iaf.org.il/sip_storage/files/9/21689.jpg
Note the gun :wink:

Now that's what I call a pure beauty

DeepSpace · by **DeepSpace** » 03 Feb 2004, 12:27

Sorry it seems like I can't upload them. I will appreciate if you will upload the 4 pictures. The link to the full size images are:
http://www.iaf.org.il/sip_storage/files/8/21688.jpg

http://www.iaf.org.il/sip_storage/files/9/21689.jpg

http://www.iaf.org.il/sip_storage/files/0/21690.jpg

http://www.iaf.org.il/sip_storage/files/1/21691.jpg

Loader · by **Loader** » 03 Feb 2004, 14:07

These "new" configured F-16s do take some getting used to. Those CFTS is what I have a hard time getting by.

habu2 · by **habu2** » 03 Feb 2004, 15:43

Sorry, DeepSpace, but those CFTs make any -16 fugly...

Are you sure those are all from the same flight? Stores are different in some pics.

LinkF16SimDude · by **LinkF16SimDude** » 03 Feb 2004, 23:42

Looks like a Viper with NFL shoulder pads! However the "form follows function" rule applies I suppose. You're a little less pretty but you've got more legs. Life is full of trade-offs :wink:

Pumpkin · by **Pumpkin** » 05 Feb 2004, 21:37

do you guys recall your first reaction when the spine D Viper made appearance? Have the sentiments changed since?

Well, I guess the Viper's CFT does not look as appealing as those carry by the MudHen. But I personally quite like how they look on the HAF's 52+. I guess the dress code does make a different on the visual appeal.

cheers,

habu2 · by **habu2** » 06 Feb 2004, 06:35

The visual appearance of the spine never really bothered me. Kind of reminded me of a MiG-21...

Those CFTs though... the original shapes they flew on the F-16ES demo bird werent too bad but the production CFTs have those 'peaks' that just plain look weird...

F16Rooster · by **F16Rooster** » 06 Feb 2004, 07:20

Where is the gun? Please tell me they didn't get rid of it.

habu2 · by **habu2** » 06 Feb 2004, 07:23

It is there, the leading edge of the CFT almost covers it.

DeepSpace · by **DeepSpace** » 06 Feb 2004, 11:59

F-16Rooster wrote:Where is the gun? Please tell me they didn't get rid of it.

It's right there, where it's always....