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Elite 3K Joined: May 14, 2004 Posts: 3176 Status: Offline

Today, a very nice ceremony depicting the completion of the first Block 52 to be delivered to the USAF Thunderbirds was completed, the first of 11 aircraft total.

Nice day, and all the depot folks involved should be Proud, they did a wonderful job, all of them.

The paint looked "perfect" and the new Commander (Boss) appeared to love the aircraft.

Of course I was invited and did show up, wore my old flight jacket too (the damn thing still fits - barely) Smile

Fine time with refreshments - my Salute to all Depot folks supporting this program - a job well done!

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Elite 3K Joined: May 14, 2004 Posts: 3176 Status: Offline

A few more

Elite 1K Joined: Jul 12, 2005 Posts: 1759 Status: Offline

Wonderful Tom!!

Thanks a lot - do You know the serial of this first Block-52??

Greetings,

Henrik.

Enthusiast Joined: Jan 19, 2006 Posts: 46 Status: Offline

Are they flying with PW 220's or 229's? It's hard to tell from the pictures.

Block 52=F100-PW-229. You can tell by the carbon fibre external nozzle segments (black color).

They are -229's. Good to see they made it from Depot. We transferred them from Mtn Home directly to Hill for the mod. The D model is 466 and I can't remember the CJ models tail #. I think it is 401...will have to check. They look good!

Elite 3K Joined: May 14, 2004 Posts: 3176 Status: Offline

Yep - 229 for sure - I did not pay attention to the tail number but I will get it for you
Glad you liked it, I will re-post the pages later after I expand them, hard to read - sorry

Elite 3K Joined: May 14, 2004 Posts: 3176 Status: Offline

tbolt2 - my son is at Mountain Home right now, nice to see your from that area too

Elite 3K Joined: May 14, 2004 Posts: 3176 Status: Offline

Lets see if this one is any better

Elite 1K Joined: Jul 12, 2005 Posts: 1759 Status: Offline

Much better, Tom!! Thanks. does any of You know where the Block-32s will go?? The 144th FW in Fresno, CA maybe or Aggressors at Nellis AFB, NV??

Greetings,

Henrik.

Good to see new block 52 with T-birds Cool

! On the other hand it's a pitty that the #3'fifi' leaving the Team Sad

.
I had a great memoriaes about Thunderbirds during the period in which the squadron flew to Poland this year. That was great, despite the very poor weather which screw everything up... After a few-minute show due to the heavy storm display were broke and canceled... but nevertheless I've met the pilots, ground crews and saw live all this stuff... Very Happy

- I won't forget that unique and beautiful time to the rest of my life!

p.s. I'll be missing Nikki Crying or Very sad

p.p.s. Looking forward to see new squadron pilots & the new schedule Smile

Enthusiast Joined: Aug 11, 2006 Posts: 82 Status: Offline

The doublebubble was the 32 and the single bubble was the 52 #92-3880. the birds flew in the 2 bubble for the ceremony and the extra flyer. I don't know the # of the 32. But that's the way it is.
Doublebubble coming soon, it's in the hangar now getting the smoke oil drum and stuff.

F-16.net Editor Joined: Sep 23, 2003 Posts: 2951

I wish we had the cash to just retire things like Block 3x aircraft in style instead of refirbing them and putting them back in service.

Nice photos MH.

Elite 3K Joined: May 14, 2004 Posts: 3176 Status: Offline

Thanks..the folks here, really did themselves proud....I was impressed how good that aircraft looked.

Fireball - thanks for the tail numbers, I had not even looked at it (thinking about the tail number that is).

Glad you folks liked the photos...nice "flyer I thought too"...

If anyone knows the numbers of these new T-birds, please let us know so we can update our serials database.

Greets,

F-16.net

Forum: General

New Thunderbird commander accepts first Block 52 from Depot