TC wrote:Thanks, Gums! That's what I was thinking, especially with the standing up of more Lightning units coming up in the not-too-distant future. The Thunderbirds can always procure another D model from the operational world. I didn't realize until seeing the pic, that it looks as though the pit nearly separated from the bulkhead. Spruce up the cockpit section, and it might make a nice museum piece for the kiddies and fanboys. Or, do some cosmetic repairs to the whole airframe, and put it on a stick somewhere. Either that, or a Mx trainer at Sheppard. Either way, as I said, my gut was telling me that repair was likely a no-go. It's a shame, but I understand.
There is only ~9 other F-16D Block 52s in USAF inventory. Maybe Nellis aggressor squadron will transfer one of their F-16Ds?
There was a case where the USN 'grafted' a F/A-18E Lot 25 nose to a F/A-18F Lot 25 fuselage so that the F/A-18E jet would be common to the squadron, flying Lot 25 jets. Lot 25 is the most advanced Block I Super Hornet, with some of the Block II components. If they'd taken a different Lot jet, there would be some maintenance and parts logistics issues.
I'm not sure the exact difference between F-16 version, but according to the database the Thunderbirds F-16s are all F-16C/D Block 52D or Block 52 P versions.
There is very few F-16C/D Block 50/52 jets that could be used for parts, unless by some lucky chance the recently damaged F-16C from the Colorado crash broke different components. I believe the tail from that jet has been removed for reuse.