admiralcag Posted November 13, 2021 Share Posted November 13, 2021 Good Morning! I am trying to determine which subblock the Block 30 F-16 went from 2 to 4 ALE-40 dispenser locations - 30F, 30H, or 30J. Thanks! Vern Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Niels Posted November 14, 2021 Share Posted November 14, 2021 Actually Block 30D; "Starting with mini-block D, twice as many chaff/flare dispensers could by carried." www.F-16.net Block 30 description Quote Link to post Share on other sites
admiralcag Posted November 20, 2021 Author Share Posted November 20, 2021 On 11/14/2021 at 7:40 AM, Niels said: Actually Block 30D; "Starting with mini-block D, twice as many chaff/flare dispensers could by carried." www.F-16.net Block 30 description I was hoping you'd reply, Niels. I did find F-16.net has a discrepancy... When I was in the Colorado Air Guard, I worked jets with both 2 and 4 dispenser holes. The oldest jet in the 120 FS, 86-368, had 2. F-16.net says it was a 30E and should have 4. Sadly, all of my friends have moved on from the unit and I can't independently verify the mini-blocks. Could you suggest another reference? Thanks! Vern Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Niels Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 Jake Melampy's excellent "The early Viper Guide" only states that the extra chaff/flare buckets where introduced with FY87 Block 30's. The first USAF F-16C from this production run is 87-0217, which is a block 30F. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 I don't know when the 2/4 bucket change was made but 86-0368 was definitely a Block 30E, DD250 delivery date was 18 May 1988. Initially deployed to Torrejon AB. Niels is correct, the first Block 30F, and the first FY87 jet, was 87-0217, DD250'd on 24 May 1988, also to Torrejon. My info comes from official GD documents when I was on the program. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
admiralcag Posted November 27, 2021 Author Share Posted November 27, 2021 Thanks for the info, Niels and habu2. I joined the 140th Wing not long after the unit transitioned from the A-7 to the F-16 and the unit received our jets from Torrejon. All Block 30, all big mouths, but a mix of 2 and 4 buckets. Vern Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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