usnavyam3 Posted September 2, 2007 Share Posted September 2, 2007 (edited) I got back a week ago from a 2 week strike detachement out in Fallon. I was out on the flight line the day before we were sheduled to leave when I saw 2 F-21A's come in and park on the line right next to us. They shut down, fueled and moved into the hanger before I could get my camera. They didn't move out the rest of the time we were there so all I got were hanger shots sadly. From what I heard they were ou there flying a adversary role for the Top Gun classes. I took a bunch of other pics mainly those at the "petting zoo" if you all would like to see them let me know. Edited September 2, 2007 by usnavyam3 Link to post Share on other sites
usnavyam3 Posted September 2, 2007 Author Share Posted September 2, 2007 Link to post Share on other sites
usnavyam3 Posted September 2, 2007 Author Share Posted September 2, 2007 And a few sunrise pics Link to post Share on other sites
Scot M Posted September 2, 2007 Share Posted September 2, 2007 (edited) Man..that's awesome!! Thanks for posting these!! I have always toyed with the idea of building one of these in TOPGUN markings......but I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer when it comes to Mirages....and I thought they only used these back in the 80's and 90's and never again. Thanks again for posting!! Edited September 2, 2007 by Scot M Link to post Share on other sites
Fuji Posted September 2, 2007 Share Posted September 2, 2007 This isn't a Kfir F-21A. The F-21As that the Navy used were lend lease upgraded C1 models and were returned in 1989. These operated by ATAC are C2 models with the larger canards and the dogtooth in the leading edge of the wings and hence have some small advantages in maneuverability. Link to post Share on other sites
DPD1 Posted September 2, 2007 Share Posted September 2, 2007 They pass through SoCal when there's a carrier ex as well... Usually COPTUEX or JTFEX. There's been other companies as well, but these guys seem to be in vogue with the Navy for the time-being. They seem to be a nice bunch of guys... They were on the way South one day and took time out to do some fly-by's at Ridgcrest, making an otherwise yawn of a show a little exciting. They actually had a little footage of one edited into a recent Navy commercial a while back. There was one company a few years ago that were using A-4s, which was cool. I'm not sure what happen to them. They must have been out bid. I think that was ATSI. Dave www.TheNorthSpin.com Dedicated to Aircraft Flight Test for the Aviation Enthusiast Link to post Share on other sites
Vesper Posted September 2, 2007 Share Posted September 2, 2007 Last I heard ATSI was folding & their ex-Israeli A-4s were up for grabs. Ves Link to post Share on other sites
DPD1 Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 That's too bad, those were cool. There's also the red air division of Air USA, which I believe are the guys that recently started using the Alpha Jets. They're leased though, so I'm not sure it's them. One thing they all have in common are those blue "dial-a-threat" pods. I believe those technically belong to the Navy and they just loan them out. Dave www.TheNorthSpin.com Dedicated to Aircraft Flight Test for the Aviation Enthusiast Link to post Share on other sites
Scot M Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 Judging from the response I guess these never actually belonged to TOPGUN? Link to post Share on other sites
Fuji Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 Judging from the response I guess these never actually belonged to TOPGUN? Nope, Civilian owned and operated. The real F-21s were operated by VF-43 from 86-88 and VMFT-401 from 87-89. Link to post Share on other sites
Scot M Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 Nope, Civilian owned and operated. The real F-21s were operated by VF-43 from 86-88 and VMFT-401 from 87-89. Thanks for the clarification Fuji.... I had to actually go to the bookshelf for this one.... It has been 15 years or so,but I knew I had seen an F-21 with 'NAVY' on the tail.After further research, I found a picture of an F-21 marked as a VF-43 bird (which I admittedly had completely overlooked the squadron marking) in my old 'TOP GUN' book by George Hall on page 50.When I first read this book I was .....like....16 yrs. old. I have forgotten alot of the stuff that's in it... Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff_C Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 So the Navy farms out the aggressor work now or is it just when they need unique threat simulations? Link to post Share on other sites
Karl Sander Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 So the Navy farms out the aggressor work now or is it just when they need unique threat simulations? You pretty much nailed it. ATAC brings specific things to the table that we can't necessarily do in-house. Link to post Share on other sites
Block25CC Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 (edited) I work for the ATAC program here in Newport News. I actually work on the Hawker Hunters for Northern Lights. We fall under the ATAC program and work side by side with the Kfir guys. They are both pretty interesting aircraft. Almost everyone who works on either aircraft type is either retired military or still serving (like myself). Very knowledgeable, motivated bunch of guys and gals. Edited September 4, 2007 by Block25CC Link to post Share on other sites
DPD1 Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 So Northern Lights still exists? I thought they sold the Hunters to ATAC. Dave www.TheNorthSpin.com Dedicated to Aircraft Flight Test for the Aviation Enthusiast Link to post Share on other sites
Chris Kethan Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 You pretty much nailed it. ATAC brings specific things to the table that we can't necessarily do in-house. Karl, Did you get promoted to hinge yet? If you haven't, you sure have the O-4 speak nailed! :) Chris Link to post Share on other sites
Block25CC Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 Nope, we still exist. We are a sub-contractor to ATAC and work side by side with them. ATAC owens and operates the Kfir C-2's. We own and operate the Hawker Hunters. Link to post Share on other sites
Karl Sander Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 Karl,Did you get promoted to hinge yet? If you haven't, you sure have the O-4 speak nailed! :) Chris If I start using words like "expeditiously staffed" shoot me. Link to post Share on other sites
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