Looking for info/pictures on the NF-16D VISTA

I have searched these forums but came up empty handed at this point.

I am seeking pictures and type of engine that this acft carried at around the time this picture (below) was taken. I have had custom decals made for the markings on the spine and need to know what type of engine this acft flew with and a picture of the nozzle would be great. I am kit bashing the 1/72nd scale Monogram/Revell kit.

Also does anyone have drawings/plans showing the spin recovery mounts and longitudinal bracing that was on the rear of this

VISTA, #86048, being prepared for a next flight [USAF photo]

Thanks a million!

There are some good engine photos in the VISTA gallery. You can also see the spin chute attach points and beefup but they are not very clear in the VISTA photos. If you look at other F-16 test airplanes and see the spin chute attachments and beefup, they are essentially the same as for the VISTA. Several F-16 test birds had the attach points, including two FSD, AFTI, XL, etc.

Here is that link to the vista album:

http://www.f-16.net/gallery_item16945.html

and the serial history:

86-0048

Mostly it carried the standard GE engine. The vector thrust engine only flew 5 times in 1992.

Hello all,

Also note that the VISTA has/is equipped with a Pratt F229 engine making this aircraft a unique mix between a Pratt-engine and the "Big Inlet"!!

Greetings,

Henrik.

Henrik, the jet was just at Depot on Hill AFB, it has a 110 installed in it. This jet was a block 30 until Vista got their hands on it now it is part 30, 40 and 50. This jet is a one of a kind, literally none others like it exist, a truly remarkable jet. I'm pretty sure PW engines have never graced this airframe.

Hello fireball,

Many thanks for Your first hand update on the VISTA!! I have enclosed a picture of her with a Pratt engine installed - I believe around 2001-2002 time frame.

Thanks for Your information.

Many greetings,

Henrik.

strap me to the side of a pig, roll me in the mud. That sure does look like a PW engine, wonder why they would bother putting a piece of crap like that in Vista? I'll sit corrected TY Henrik

No problem, my friend!! I believe it had this engine for a short while. It is indeed very strange as I had the feeling that the "Big Inlet" was no good for the Pratt-engines??!!

Greetings,

Henrik.

It wasn't that it was "no good" it just wasn't needed for extra capture area. The PW-229 still conformed to the original specification of the F-16A's inlet area. GE was allowed to "cheat" (so to say) when they were given the big-mouth to improve the "installed performance" of their engines. The 2 engines were suppose to be "common" but this important airframe modification quickly followed the GE contract.

The PW-229 will make as much thrust as the GE-129 with a smaller inlet. It works more with pressure/temperature than with mass flow. The added capture area of the VISTA airframe would not hinder the PW-229 as the engine's Compressor Inlet Variable Vanes would restrict "excess" airflow at the fan face.

The larger inlet does cause a bit more drag, which is why the PW powered Vipers have never gotten the larger inlets; wasted drag for un-needed airflow.

PW had the PYBBN "Pitch-Yaw Balanced Beam Nozzle" Project in the mid 1990's that had the same vector capabilities as the GE vector nozzle. The VISTA was the perfect test-bed for their project as well. (Search this site for "Vectoring")

Yes the NF-16D did fly almost as long with the GE as the PW nozzle. The majority of flights used standard nozzles, either the GE-129 or PW-229. Even the "vector" nozzles looked very similar to their respective OEM standard nozzles.

The key to identifying you're decals is the GE or PW emblem on the dorsal spine. If it has GE use a GE-129 nozzle. If the PW eagle is on the spine, use a PW-229 nozzle for an example.

Seems they both disappeared when the Raptor started to run into funding problems? Imagine new generation F-16s with PW-232 or GE-132 engines AND thrust vectoring!? WOW!

Keep those motors turnin...

Examples...

Anyone have any data on how the performance of the F-16 improved with vectored thrust? Or how much it would have cost to upgrade each plane to vectored thrust?

To answer the PlasticModelr's original question, the solution can be found from the stickers on the dorsal, which are (from back to front): "VERIDIAN, GE, USAF Test Pilot School, AUTO ACAS". That really narrows down the time that the picture was taken. A quick search of the Edwards web site should turn up Auto-ACAS press releases from a few years ago, and maybe a couple more pictures.

F-16D VISTA Feb 2019 86048 Photo Edwards AFB

F-16D VISTA 86048 Feb 2019 (AF Material Command)

F-16D VISTA 86048 Feb 2019 (AF Material Command)

F-16D VISTA 86048 Feb 2019 (AF Material Command)

F-16D VISTA 86048 Feb 2019 (AF Material Command)