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I'm sure this info exists somewhere on the site but I couldn't find it and figured somebody knows it almost off the top of their head.

Regarding the Viper's intake:
there seem to be two versions -- a standard (NSI) and wide-mouth (MCID)
it is correct that GE engines use the MCID and Pratt use the NSI?

also, and this is what I was looking for, what are the approximate dimensions of the two versions (top-to-bottom and side-to-side of opening)?

thanks

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I have posted side-by-side pics of the two inlets in another (very old) thread in this forum, I have no idea which one though.

Last edited by LinkF16SimDude on Feb 07, 2007 - 03:35 PM; edited 1 time in total

falcon-watcher wrote:

...it is correct that GE engines use the MCID and Pratt use the NSI?

Some early GE powered Block 30s had the Small Mouth inlets. But over time pretty much all jets scheduled for the GE motor, from mid Block 30 thru Block 60, got the Big Mouth inlet to capitalize on the GE's true potential. Don't think the P/W-powered jets ever had Big Mouth (never needed it AFAIK).

Does anyone have more info on the dimensions?

I found one set of dimensions:

4' 9" side-to-side
1' 8" top-to-bottom

which version do you think this one is and how different is the other version?

thanks

falcon-watcher wrote:

Does anyone have more info on the dimensions?

I found one set of dimensions:

4' 9" side-to-side
1' 8" top-to-bottom

which version do you think this one is and how different is the other version?

thanks

Careful, you may be providing The Enemy with information he/she/it could use against us...

Question is, can a Viper swallow a human, as happened at least once with both the A-7 and A-6? I'm not talking about a baby (who wouldn't be on the flightline anyway) but about, say, an unwitting pilot or crew chief.

let's see if this works:

if not then go to this thread and scroll down

Elite 1K Joined: Apr 26, 2004 Posts: 1215 Status: Offline

Quote:

Question is, can a Viper swallow a human, as happened at least once with both the A-7 and A-6? I'm not talking about a baby (who wouldn't be on the flightline anyway) but about, say, an unwitting pilot or crew chief.

Yes and they have!

thanks for the responses so far

I still don't have a definitive answer.

Could someone please actually measure the inlet from side-to-side?
I have not been able to find it in any lit.

thanks

Do you mind explaining why you need actual measurements of the intakes?

FWIW I'm pretty sure only the width changes, height of the two inlet styles should be the same.

my reasons are really not relevant here but if you must know...
I volunteer for a museum and we might obtain some scrap parts including an inlet leading edge. I'm trying to do some due diligence on this part in case we actually acquire it.

falcon-watcher wrote:

my reasons are really not relevant here but if you must know...
I volunteer for a museum and we might obtain some scrap parts including an inlet leading edge. I'm trying to do some due diligence on this part in case we actually acquire it.

Yeah, right. You are Russian spy. All your base are belong to us...

The difference in shape is quite obvious, you can see that in the photo I posted. You don't need actual measurements to determine which inlet leading edge you are looking at. If you're still not sure, ask your source to provide photos (and dimensions!) as part of your due diligence and post them here. We can then tell you what inlet you are obtaining.

I don't mean to come off as rude but not all questions asked in this forum are always what they present themselves as. Besides, if the particular jet you are getting parts from has been through the Have Glass program ( and I'm pretty sure all MCIDs have been) then that inlet lip shouldn't be in a scrap pile. Wink

Elite 1K Joined: Aug 19, 2004 Posts: 1092

I'm sure you can find the inlet dimensions by doing a dilligent Google search or by searching some relevant technical report servers (like NASA's NTRS). I'm actually not sure why people ask certain questions on forums like these when it's more than likely the information is already freely available somewhere online. Internet forums (even those on F-16.net) usually aren't the best sources for specific information on the F-16. If you can't find the information using Google or via free tech report servers, it's unlikely you'll get the info here.

Elite 2K Joined: Jan 14, 2004 Posts: 2811 Status: Offline

It's unlikely, because so many on this site who work or worked around the jet are apprehensive about giving any information to complete strangers over an internet chat board. But he's been around the board long enough to know this, and he's not asking a "nuke-u-ler weppins" kind of question.

Falcon-Watcher, the best advice I could give you would be one that would take you straight to the source. Other internet sites can be useless mazes which give you a link, and then send you to pop up or misinformation hell.

What I would recommend, would be to contact a tech rep from Lockheed Martin, AMARC, or even the National Museum of the USAF. All are excellent sources of information, and should be willing to work with you, if you are doing a museum display.

Elite 1K Joined: Jul 12, 2005 Posts: 1581 Status: Offline

Hello all,

And for the "serial freaks" F-16C Block-30C 86-0261 is the last Block-30 for the USAF with the "Small Inlet" and F-16C Block-30D 86-0262 is the first with the "Big Inlet". #262 is also a MIG-killer.

For the two-seaters F-16D Block-30C 86-0043 is the last for the USAF with the "Small Inlet" and F-16D Block-30D 86-0044 is the first with the "Big Inlet".

Greetings,

Henrik.

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MCID versus NSI inlets