Polish F-16s arrived!

RoAF · by **RoAF** » 09 Nov 2006, 21:20

I believe one word can describe this guy's feelings: satisfaction

Houston · by **Houston** » 09 Nov 2006, 23:37

PolAF F-16 block 52 #4043 is seen durin the official hand-over ceremony at Krzesiny AFB on November 9th, 2006. [Photo by Pingwin]

Sundowner · by **Sundowner** » 09 Nov 2006, 23:38

Lieven wrote:
Sundowner wrote:Where did you get that goshawk [...]?

From http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jastrząb

Jastrząb (jastrząb gołębiarz) (Accipiter gentilis)

Also see http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/goshawk for a full list of translations

The nickname Hawk (or 'Netz') is used by the Israeli Air Force for its F-16A/B aircraft. For those interested, we also have the article: <a href="f-16_versions_article27.html">F-16 Fighting Falcon, F16, or Viper?</a> on designations, names, and nicknames of the F-16.

Oh, I see now. I can assure you, nobody was looking at Israeli or any other country names. "Jastrząb" name for our F-16 was a winner in a public contest (BTW a friend of mine won a book in it

). Unfortunately it looks like if we want to be sure if its "Hawk" or "Goshawk", we need to wait for official info from www.mon.gov.pl - and the english part of it is always few weeks behind.

Both photos belong to mon.gov.pl:

Both shots were taken from MiG-29UB '28' piloted by capt. Witold 'Ptaku' Sokól ... interesting fact is the visible Fulcrum '77' is "his" plane, the little black logo behind the canopy represent a falcon with 'Toyo' sign - a nickname used by that pilot on internet forums.

Patriot · by **Patriot** » 09 Nov 2006, 23:54

Polish F-16s were officially named Hawk (Jastrząb in polish)

Patriot · by **Patriot** » 10 Nov 2006, 09:24

Here is yet few pictures of polish Hawk (photograps by Gregory & Gatar : )

There is no words to describe how happy I am

Lieven · by **Lieven** » 10 Nov 2006, 10:50

Allright, allright,... Hawk it is then...

Here's a few more pictures fo the'Hawk':

Photo shoot during the official hand-over ceremony of the Polish F-16s at Krzesiny AFB on November 9th, 2006. [Polish Ministry of National Defence photo]

And a video: http://www.mon.gov.pl/pliki/File/f16.wmv

jetfuelstarter · by **jetfuelstarter** » 10 Nov 2006, 17:43

On the 4 th picture it looks like the EPU pin is not installed. Is this is a new procedure ?

Photo shoot during the official hand-over ceremony of the Polish F-16s at Krzesiny AFB on November 9th, 2006. [Polish Ministry of National Defence photo]

By the way: I wish the people in Poland all the best with this pretty bird : good choice!!

J.J. · by **J.J.** » 10 Nov 2006, 21:49

Moscow sends missiles to Belarus after Warsaw gets US warplanes

(AFP) 10 November 2006

MOSCOW - Russia has sent anti-aircraft systems to Belarus in retaliation against the delivery to Poland of US-made F-16 warplanes, a source in the Moscow-led Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) said on Friday.

“Anticipating the arrival of the F-16s in Poland, Russia has sent to Belarus four S-300 anti-aircraft systems which have already been put into service,” according to a source at the headquarters of the anti-aircraft defence alliance of the CIS, quoted by the Itar-Tass news agency.

The CIS is made up of the former members of the Soviet Union less the three Baltic states.

The alliance was set up in 1995 by 10 CIS members (all bar Azerbaijan and Moldova) to protect the air borders of the former Soviet republics.

On Thursday Poland took delivery of the first four of the 48 F-16 fighters it has ordered from US plane-maker Lockheed Martin.

Current source link:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArti ... world&col=

J.J. · by **J.J.** » 10 Nov 2006, 23:51

American-made F-16 jets arrive in Poland

By Scott Schonauer, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Friday, November 10, 2006

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — The first of 48 American-made F-16 fighter jets arrived in Poland on Thursday as part of a multibillion-dollar deal that is expected to bolster relations with the U.S.

U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe and Gen. Tom Hobbins, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, along with Polish President Lech Kaczynski and first lady Maria Kaczynski celebrated the arrival of the jets during a ceremony in Warsaw, Poland, on Thursday. Polish Minister of Defense Radek Sikorski along with other Polish military dignitaries also attended.

In a statement posted on the U.S. Embassy’s Web site, Ashe called the delivery an “important milestone in U.S.-Polish relations.”

But the planes almost didn’t reach the country’s capital.

Two of the four fighters destined for Poland had to turn around over the Atlantic Ocean on Monday after a technical problem in one of the planes, the Polish media reported. The planes later took off and landed at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany. However, the other two had to divert to Keflavik, Iceland, according to www.f-16.net, a leading Web reference and news site about the plane.

Poland signed a deal in 2003 to buy the new aircraft from Bethesda, Md.-based manufacturer Lockheed Martin. The purchase is worth nearly $3.6 billion, according to the Air Force. But there are other benefits as well.

The planes will allow the Polish air force to better work with the U.S. and NATO partners, said Air Force Col. Philip McDaniel, deputy director of Plans, Programs and Requirements at U.S. Air Forces in Europe headquarters at Ramstein Air Base.

“The ability of the Poles to be able to move into more NATO-compatible equipment is key to interoperability and to being able to work with — not just the U.S. — but all of NATO,” McDaniel said. “Because, let’s face it, the F-16s are a pretty widely used aircraft here in Europe. So, we’re pretty excited about this. This is a huge step for the Polish military and the Polish people.”

Nine of the 19 alliance nations fly the F-16, including Belgium, Norway, the Netherlands, Portugal, Italy, Turkey, Greece and the United States.

The contract, dubbed the Poland Peace Sky program, includes 36 one-seat F-16Cs and 12 two-seat F-16Ds, according to a Lockheed Martin news release.

The fighter deal includes support equipment and training for Polish pilots.

The jets will replace Poland’s Soviet-era fighters. The U.S.-made planes were chosen over aircraft from both Sweden and France.

The delivery will boost the number of F-16s operated by 24 countries in the world to 4,300, according to Lockheed Martin.

Only four aircraft are expected to arrive in Poland this week. The remainder will arrive in Poland in 2007 and 2008, according to the plane maker.

Source link:
http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?sec ... icle=41410[/size]

Note: "... according to www.f-16.net, a leading Web reference and news site about the plane." :thumb:

FALCON16 · by **FALCON16** » 11 Nov 2006, 13:20

Hello F16 people,

Herewith my first pics taken at Poznan - Krzesiny MAB on 09nov06:

F16C [serial]4042[/serial]
[photo]16132[/photo]

F16D [serial]4077[/serial]

PolAF F-16D block 52 #4077 is seen at Poznan - Krzesiny AB on November 9th, 2006 during the handover ceremony. [Photo by Dirk A. Geerts]

More pics will follow from the (cold) ceremony.

Bye

Dirk

CaptainJackSparrow · by **CaptainJackSparrow** » 12 Nov 2006, 12:33

They look fantastic, gorgeous new Block 52+'s in a very smart paint scheme.

Houston · by **Houston** » 12 Nov 2006, 23:04

PolAF F-16C block 52 #4042 is coming in for landing at Krzesiny AB during the official inauguration. [Photo by Estraven]

PolAF F-16C block 52 #4044 is parked in a hangar at Krzesiny AB during the official inauguration. [Photo by Estraven]

PolAF F-16D block 52 #4077 is coming in for landing at Krzesiny AB during the official inauguration. [Photo by Estraven]

HazF16 · by **HazF16** » 13 Nov 2006, 17:22

i dont know if someone already asked this question b/c i didnt read the whole thread but what's that small pod under the intake?

http://www.f-16.net/modules/Gallery2/ga ... alNumber=4

looks kinda like the IR sensor on the MIG-29

Sundowner · by **Sundowner** » 13 Nov 2006, 17:58

it's one of AN/ALQ-178 Raport III EW system antenna, here's a photo of it on F-16 block52 from Greece:

The system was design to counter the new Russian S-300 system.

Patriot · by **Patriot** » 13 Nov 2006, 18:54

Here is a few photographs of 'hangar party' which took place on 9th of November in 31st Krzesiny Air Base after official ceremony

http://www.gorpol.pl/?site=92&artykul=143#powieksz

Enjoy...