Forum: F-16 Spotting & Photography

Hi !

I`ve found all the serials in the database for 125FW 159FS Florida ANG, but what number was carried by each Viper while attached to the squadron? (The number was carried near the nozzle of the engine)
Did the numbers dissappear when the FL code was applied, or did it stay on?

Hope you can help me, as I`m preparing to build a model of one of these Vipers, but need this info first.

Thanks! Very Happy

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The numbers varied during the jet's tenure with the FANG, and were present with the FL tailcodes.

Jake

Does anyone know how the F-15's currently in use with the 125th are doing? Off Topic

The 125th is quite a unit. I visited in the late 80's. At the time, I believe they had F-16C,D's and then transitioned to Eagles, an early model, and were experiencing some growing pains the last I heard. The 125th has flown everything from P-51 Mustangs, to Daggers, Darts, Falcons, and now Eagles in their 60 or so years of history and some history do they have going back to WWII and Korea. Very Happy

I suppose they're doing just fine. they are still flying the Eagle.

They flew the F-16ADF, and did not transition to C/Ds before going to the Eagle.

Jake

Quote:

I believe they had F-16C,D's

Nope, only F-16 ADF version wich they traded in for F-15A/B`s as you say.

Jake; do you have any kind of list with each Vipers number?

Thanks guys Cheers

Hello Boman,

Sorry for this late topic reply, but I have good news for You!!!!

I have the following number/serial tie-ups for some of the "FL" Vipers during a "Combat Archer" deployment to Tyndall AFB, FL, in the mid-1990s.

F-16As:
80-0565 - no code.
80-0616 - "16".
81-0675 - "03".
81-0682 - "20".
81-0695 - no code.
81-0696 - "19".
81-0712 - "12".
81-0731 - "13".
81-0732 - "15".
81-0755 - "10".
81-0764 - "18".

F-16Bs:
80-0629 - "21" BLOCK-10!!
81-0818 - "02".
82-1035 - "01".

Greetings from cold Denmark,

Henrik.

I see you are working you magic again, Henrik Cool

Thank you very much Very Happy

Hey Henrik, just looked through the photos I have of 125FW 159FS Vipers, and found the following to add to your list:

F-16A:
80-0604 - "04"
80-0605 - "05"
81-0713 - "08"
81-0721 - ? (no number allocated on the photos I have)
81-0759 - ? (no number allocated on the photos I have)

Hello Boman,

Great team-work, old friend!! Many thanks for Your additional numbers!!

Greetings,

Henrik.

IIRC, the FL tailcodes came about after 1AF and ACC assumed deployment responsibilities over ANG's fighter assets. Before the tailcodes, they simply carried over the lightning bolt tail flash from the F-106 days. The Eagles retain the bolt, and the FL tail codes. They have upgraded their A/B Eagles with -220E engines.

Hello TC,

How are You, old buddy? Thanks for Your reply, but the FL F-15s only have the lightning bolt and "Florida" written in their blue tail band - no FL codes!!

The "Boss-Bird" - F-15B 76-0125 - has a raging cougar on its tail instead of the flash - see below.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0541057/L/

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0203819/L/

Greetings,

Henrik.

Que Pasa Henrik!

I'm presently Code 1. Cool

Thanks for the correction there. I could've sworn at least early in Eagle ops, that they carried FL tail codes. I have been known to be mistaken from time to time.

I used to see the Eagles from JAX quite a bit. They have an alert Det. at Homestead, and they fly into Tyndall from time to time. Of course, I'm not near the ramp anymore, so when I see Eagles fly over, it's hard to tell the difference between our birds and the transit birds.

It was cool one time, when taking off from JAX, headed to San Diego, my flight was temporarily held at EOR as a pair of their Eagles, armed to the teeth, taxied in front of us, lit the blowers, and headed out towards the Atlantic. Our captain didn't miss a beat either, coming on the intercom and stated: "Ladies and gentlemen, we were first in line for takeoff, however 'our protectors' always have priority over all incoming and departing flights!"

BTW, that's the "Jacksonville Jaguar" on the C/C's bird, in honor of Jacksonville's Jaguars NFL football team. However, I'm a Bucs fan, so maybe MacDill will put the Jolly Roger on one of their 135s! Heh heh! Wink

Just found a photo over at airliners.net today of 81-0695, where the #09 clearly appears on the nose gear door.

Guess we can close the book on this planes code Laughing

Just received Jake Melampy's great book on the Viper, and what do I find on page 52 - 81-0721 as #16, proving that atleast 2 Vipers carried this number

Hi all,
FYI,
81-695 was number 09 in 91-92. Thats when I took pics of it last.

Jeff

Forum: F-16 Spotting & Photography

125FW, 159FS - Florida ANG ADF Vipers