Forum: F-16 Design & Construction

Hello group,

thought some people in here might love to see these pics, showing the Vipers currently flying for TOPGUN.

I asked a US-contact (who knows someone at TOPGUN) last year to get some cockpit shots for me, as I am building a F-16A Block 15 cockpit and want to apply a TOPGUN scheme to my simulator room and as virtual squadron.

Actually I do not know who took the pics, so I hope I do not upset the originator! Embarassed

Let's start with the first image: it shows the front cockpit of a F-16B used at TOPGUN. It will already answer the question about which HUD was used. As the F-16A has a different navigation set as the C-models (FC/NAV panel within the left side console), that C-model HUD does not come with the ICP as we see it within the C-model aircraft. Also note the mini-glareshield around the center console, which is also a C-model feature, normally (therefore that wrong fit?)!

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The next image shows the right instrument console. Noteworthy is the lack of a Nuclear Consent switch! Wink

See the "Take Control" panel (ok, the pics could be larger Twisted Evil

)??? This identifies that particular cockpit as being the front office of an twin-seat Viper.

Now the left aux panel and unfortunately the last cockpit shot I have available of the TOPGUN Vipers. Crying or Very sad

Nothing special there - all standard Block [Link pending approval]

Last edited by habu2 on Mar 24, 2004 - 06:07 PM; edited 1 time in total

kodak, the first shot shows the same "HUD panel" as I see in my documentation on FMS OCU Block 15s. It is not the ICP but it is different than the HCP in earlier blocks. That would imply to me this is a WAC HUD. What do the rest of you guys think?

The 'mini glare shield' is not necessarily specific to the C models, it is to cut down on cockpit instrument reflections in the canopy transparency - only a real problem at night.

(edit) - oh, and thanks for the pics!

5 TOPGUN Vipers in a row - doesn't the blueish one look like plastic? Laughing

@ habu2

Thanks alot for your comments! So that mini-glareshield is to prevent instrument reflection in the canopy? Great - I believed for years it is for anti-glare reasons due to sun reflection! [Link pending approval] learning something new each day! Thanks! Wink

And here the last one of the pics I got from that [Link pending approval]

Forum Veteran Joined: Nov 07, 2003 - 09:12 PM Posts: 901

hi kodak, thanks for the cool pictures.

Quote:

See the "Take Control" panel (ok, the pics could be larger )??? This identifies that particular cockpit as being the front office of an twin-seat Viper.

I am wondering if you have other reference to this particular panel. I have no prior knowledge of such a panel or the functions.

Thanks, Very Happy

How about this, I'll go out tonight and take measurments of an A/B model HUD if someone can take measurments of a WAC HUD------get the hint Wetsock?!?!? On an A model with the small HUD the ILS and NWS indicators are attached to the HUD, whereas they are part of the glareshield on a WAC HUD. That is the first time I have ever seen a WAC HUD on an A model, I didn't know that they had a HCP for a WAC HUD.

As for the ICP not being part of the HUD, H2 is right there. The ICP is considered part of the UFC, along with the DED, PFLD (block 40+), and DEEU. It just comes with the HUD is all.

The "Take Control" is a switch, not an entire panel. It is typically located on the inboard edge of the right side console directly aft of the side stick. In the photo above the switch would be obscured by the ejection seat handle.

If you look at (some of) the cockpit diagrams on my site ( http://www.habu2.net/vipers/viperpits/ ) you will see an arrow with the notation DF (meaning D-model front seat) to differences between single and dual seat cockpits.

Thanks,
This is my proof of the fact that the HUD is indeed different. An as I've written earlier the Thai, Singapore and Indonesian Vipers have these panels too!

But now how about the back seat? Are the panels there also different in regard to the normal block 15?

More pics are indeed welcome.

Thanks again!!
Dick

After careful measurment the A/B HUD is 6 1/2" at the bottom and 6" at the top from outside to outside of the support by 9".

habu2 wrote:

kodak, the first shot shows the same "HUD panel" as I see in my documentation on FMS OCU Block 15s. It is not the ICP but it is different than the HCP in earlier blocks. That would imply to me this is a WAC HUD. What do the rest of you guys think?

Yes...most definately WAC based on the width of the combiner glass and the AOA and NWS/AR indexers mounted to the glareshield. I have to say, in the 12 years I was associated with the F-16 program, I never knew such a HUD setup existed. Learn somethin' new everday, I guess! Wink

And dittos on the great pix!!

Forum Veteran Joined: Nov 07, 2003 - 09:12 PM Posts: 901

Thanks habu2. It will great if you can share, what kind of control(s) does the switch changes between the 2 cockpits?

cheers, Very Happy

I finally found an old photo which is identified as a Block 15 OCU jet. The HCP (HUD Control Panel) clearly matches the one in the photo kodak posted back on 24 March.

@ habu2

Perfect! Do you have a larger version of this photo and maybe further pics of the OCU cockpit? Razz

Forum: F-16 Design & Construction

NSAWC F-16A/B HUD type ?