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Thunderbirds And Tankers

Spacepope From Vatican City, joined Dec 1999, 2739 posts, RR: 1
Posted (7 years 11 months 3 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 1254 times:

I was watching the T-birds form up for their demonstration at the Air Force Academy graduation ceremony. All 6 were tooling around for a bit, then formed up with a KC-135R and took on gas before they left for the show. I was observing at a turn point that was basically one mountain ridge behind the academy (at work..). Is this common for a display team to do, or was this just because of the low internal fuel capacity of the F-16?

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5 replies: All unread, jump to last

SATL382G From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR:
Reply 1, posted (7 years 11 months 3 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 1218 times:

Are you sure the 135 wasn't part of the display or that the 16s weren't doing some opportune proficiency training? Lots of possible explanations other than the F-16s needed gas.....

I'd take a WAG and say they were doing a special display for the Grad Ceremony.....

[Edited 2005-06-03 17:43:49]

Venus6971 From United States of America, joined Dec 2004, 1410 posts, RR: 1
Reply 2, posted (7 years 11 months 3 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 1202 times:

The T-birds F-16 are slicked down with no external stores, it probably did take on fuel from a 135, I was at the graduation from the AFA last year when GWB did the conmencement speech and I noticed the T-Bird PA officer and the narrator in the crowd waiting to give the word to the team when it was time to begin, with the handing out of diplomas all times are approximate along with the conmencement speech but they got the timing down perfect.

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Spacepope From Vatican City, joined Dec 1999, 2739 posts, RR: 1
Reply 3, posted (7 years 11 months 3 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 1146 times:

They were definitely taking on gas, as they were nowhere close to being visible to the ceremonies, and one was always on the boom. The solos later chased down the tanker between Woodland Park and Divide..

I wish I had my camera for the sight! 7 aircraft flying so close together was incredible!

The last of the famous international playboys

F4wso From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 974 posts, RR: 13
Reply 4, posted (7 years 11 months 3 weeks 6 days ago) and read 1109 times:

Sounds like since they had to sequence with the end of commencement, they had to take gas to make sure they don't bingo out in the middle of their demonstration.
Gary

Seeking an honest week's pay for an honest day's work