RipVW

Henrik - Here's what I shot on 14 Nov 2007 at DMAFB - WI ANG specific: F-16C 87-0260/WI - with 2 x Mk 84 (EOR) F-16C 87-0258 - with 2 x Mk 84 (still retained Diamondback tailband - no code) (EOR) F-16D 88-0150/WI - AIM-9X and AIM-120 (EOR) F-16C 87-0278/WI - AIM-9X and AIM-120 (Boss Bird) (EOR) F-16C 87-0289/WI - with 2 x Mk 82 (EOR) F-16C 87-0261/WI - with 2 x Mk 82 (EOR) F-16C 87-0234/WI - Under sun shelter F-16C 87-0242/WI - Under sun shelter F-16C 87-0266/WI - Under sun shelter That's it for the nine jets they brought for that deployment. Please let me know what you're looking

Hi John - The correct color (RAF version for certain) is RAF Barley Grey. I suspect that all of the EF2000s are in the same color. The RAF Tiffies I shot at DMAFB back in April were definately in this color. The problem is that only Humbrol makes this color - HU167. I just ordered a tin from Squadron prior to the holidays so I can complete my 1/48th Tiffie before Twobobs releases the decal sheet. Then I can finish the aircraft in the markings I want. An excellent color cross-reference for virtually all paint manufacturers is on the IMPS Stockholm website. Go to the site and click on re

Jack - PM Inbound.

Ray - I use a Canoscan 8600F and can scan four slides at a time - the scanned resolution is roughly equivalent to an 8 MPix digital photo or about 2 to 3 Meg per scanned slide. Do you plan to use the photos for a model build reference or are you preparing an article for publication? If you're preparing something for print on the history of the 4450th A-7s I'd like to put you in touch with the guy who actually went out and obtained the SLUFs. He was in on the ground floor with program and was quite close with General Creech. For example . . . The A-7s tail code was originally going to be

Ray - How much of a hurry are you for the photos? I shot LV coded Ds and Ks while I was at HQ TAC (now ACC) back in 1983/84 (I also know the guy that DD250'd all of them - he's still here in Tucson). The photos are slides and I'd have to locate them and then scan them for you. That doesn't sound like much, but I have 60,000+ slides and a bad reputation for being slow. If you can allow me a few weeks to drill down into the collection, I'd be happy to scan what I've got and e-mail them to you. Let me know . . . All the best - - Wally -

Thanks Ray - That's what I get for trying to multi-task (phone and ARC). I had copied notes on their Falcon 20 next to my reference to the Falcon 900 and transcribed the wrong refenence while on the phone - Good catch. The post has been corrected. - Rip -

Julien - Wow, what a fabulous restoration! - With great photos to boot! Many thanks for taking the time to photograph and post your shots of this beauty. I've got to get to the UK and visit their air museums! - Maybe 2009 will be the year . . . - Rip -

** Ding ** Ding ** Ding ** Ken wins tonight's trivia question! The FS codes aren't zaps from the ANG folks from Fort Smith AR, they stand for the 2nd Wing's home base in Florennes Belguim. All four of the 2nd Wing Vipers were thusly marked. At one point in time (for a very short period of time) the Kleine Brogel Vipers carried BL tail codes. I was hoping for some awesome Belgian tail art, but since these jets participated in Green Flag the aircraft were toned down. Wakko807 - I also shot them back in October at Nellis - we were probably standing on the tower together! Having them at DM

I knew I'd transpose that information when I posted - Glad you caught it! ATB - - Rip -

Here's the Airbus A310-222 - CA-01 cn372: Next is the Dassault Falcon 900B - CD-01 cn 109: The sun was about to set when the first of two C-130s arrived. Interestingly enough, this C-130H still had the USAF data block indicating SN 71-1801, the Belgian registration number was CH-05: Parting Viper Shot: ATB - - Rip -

More Vipers: Support Aircraft coming up next . . .

The Belgian Air Force completed their 2009 United States visit last Friday - 21 November 2008 when they left sunny Tucson AZ, (Davis-Monthan AFB) for snowy Belgium. Four aircraft each from the 10th Wing at Kleine Brogel and the 2nd Wing at Florennes participated in Green Flag at Nellis AFB in October, then flew down to DMAFB for four weeks of Snowbird operations. During their stay at DM two groups of ground and flight crews spent two weeks each at the base with the mid-point rotation occurring on 8 November. Both air to air and air to ground missions were completed with several live-load mi

These Harriers were heading back to RAF Cottesmore from Davis-Monthan where they've been Snow-birding for the past three weeks. The first flight of four was to depart DMAFB on Sunday 9-28 at 10:00 and the second flight at 11:00; each flight accompanied by a VC.10 for air to air refueling and personnel transport. The Hercules C.3 carried most of their ground support equipment and there was also a TriStar that was employed to carry the majority of the RAF personnel back home. I assume they may have flown non-stop back to the UK from DMAFB. The 10:00 departure was delayed by a ground abort of

Here's the C-130 "Hack" with teeth at DMAFB last December. And - Here's their DMAFB assigned HH-60G with teeth. Enjoy! - Rip -

By the looks of the second photo, there was a tornado in Tulsa! I used to fly out of Vance AFB so I know how treacherous they can be! ATB - - Rip -