The F-16I Sufa

bunk22 said:
I thought it was fuel tanks? Could be electronic gizmo's I suppose. MikeD or Hacker would know more I think.
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Much like the Block 60 UAE versions, the Israel (and eventually Iraq) versions share the avionics spine as well as the conformal fuel tanks on each side of the fuselage aft of the cockpit. The differences being whats inside the spine in the particular airframes.

These Block 60 advanced Vipers are kind of pigs performance-wise, and nothing like their "simple" original model Block 1/5/10 A-model versions that sported two AIM-9s and 20mm gun for air-air. Those very early versions, one of which Ive flown in a number of times, can really rack on the Gs and fight the knife fight. The new versions have lots of stuff packed into the airframe and they almost don't resemble the sleek jet they originally were. They're almost starting to look like the old F-16XL that GD was attempting to market back in the early '80s.

And as for you Bunk, Im telling on you if you don't get back in there and make like you are enjoying the in-laws.

Me? I have an excuse. I have no one and am working tonight, as chasing illegals is a neverending gig. You have no excuse. :)
 
kurn2.jpg
kurn.jpg



Still, my favorite Israeli AF jet is the F-4E Phantom II Kurnass (Sledgehammer) and the A-4 Skyhawk.

The A-4 being slightly above the F-4, mainly because I myself am a born and bred A-community guy.
 
I enjoyed reading about the Israeli Phantoms in "Loud and Clear" recently. Talk about a trial by fire.

Also, even if it's a pig, block 60 Vipers are legit. I'd take one, even if it only has one motor :)
 
///AMG said:
Also, even if it's a pig, block 60 Vipers are legit. I'd take one, even if it only has one motor :)
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That's alot of crap packed into essentially the same size airframe on those 60s. Their full effectiveness (I believe) has yet to be fully given the trial by fire.
 
This has always been a favorite pic of mine due to all the Syrian kill marks. I like 695 as it looks like it fly's better than the rest of them :)

IF-15.jpg
 
MikeD said:
Much like the Block 60 UAE versions, the Israel (and eventually Iraq) versions share the avionics spine as well as the conformal fuel tanks on each side of the fuselage aft of the cockpit. The differences being whats inside the spine in the particular airframes.

These Block 60 advanced Vipers are kind of pigs performance-wise, and nothing like their "simple" original model Block 1/5/10 A-model versions that sported two AIM-9s and 20mm gun for air-air. Those very early versions, one of which Ive flown in a number of times, can really rack on the Gs and fight the knife fight. The new versions have lots of stuff packed into the airframe and they almost don't resemble the sleek jet they originally were. They're almost starting to look like the old F-16XL that GD was attempting to market back in the early '80s.

And as for you Bunk, Im telling on you if you don't get back in there and make like you are enjoying the in-laws.

Me? I have an excuse. I have no one and am working tonight, as chasing illegals is a neverending gig. You have no excuse. :)
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Dude, the wife's brothers (one specifically) and MIL are so freaking painful. I'd rather easily be alone but my daughter wanted to come here.

Anyway, the Hornet guys, specifically the Marines love flying and fighting the lightest version with big motors. Maybe the F/A-18A+ version?

My old boss and former Turkey driver tells a great story of getting to fight Israeli Vipers. The original plan was to have the department heads on up participate in a 4 v 6 scenario but politics got involved and it was to be a limited, non aggressive fight so that ego's were not bruised. So the DH's handed it over to the JO's and at the merge, they said f' that and went balls out with the Vipers. He was flying the lighter and big motored F-14B and said he had some nice tape of two guns kill on Israeli Vipers.
 
That poor airplane has the cancer. :( Look at those bumps and growths all over it.
 
bunk22 said:
Anyway, the Hornet guys, specifically the Marines love flying and fighting the lightest version with big motors. Maybe the F/A-18A+ version?
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I'm not totally sold on the A+. We had several A+ at the RAG, and got a couple A++ right after I finished the syllabus. They are A's (read: old old airframes) that have been back through the line to get higher lot avionics. They are still a weird mix of old and new, with cockpit stuff generally being A/B style, but with a moving map and a couple other lot 12+ improvements. One of my paddles from RAG CQ flew them with the Devils, and he said it was like a NATOPS check every flight on cruise. Another IP had some bizarre failure of the DC essential bus off a night cat shot in an A+, which among other things, activated the spin recovery displays, froze the radio channelization, popped several engine cautions, and some other very confusing combinations of warnings and cautions. He wrote an Approach article about it actually. I'll take a higher lot chuck any day personally.....most of the fleet charlies are big motor jets anyway, with MIDS, CIT, JHMCS, APG-73's, etc.
 
Word on the streets is that the Israelis are highly competent with their aircraft. Up there in the ranks with "pack a lunch" when you fight them. Any truth to this?
 
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