Tomcat7742 Posted July 25, 2005 Share Posted July 25, 2005 Living in Hampton Roads I hear both Navy and Air Force jets everything from Tomcats and Hornets to Eagles and Raptors, and even a few Falcons. I have made a major observation on sound though, Air Force jets sound hollow. Navy jets have a more full sounding roar when they go past you. Is there any particular reason behind this outside of just different engines? - Chris Link to post Share on other sites
boom175 Posted July 25, 2005 Share Posted July 25, 2005 It would be just different engines and different inlet designs. Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted July 25, 2005 Share Posted July 25, 2005 It always amazes me that a Spitfire and a P-51 always sound different - even when equipped with the same Packard Merlin!! Ken Link to post Share on other sites
Karl Sander Posted July 25, 2005 Share Posted July 25, 2005 F-16's and F-15's used the same engines originally...the venerable Pratt & Whitney F-100. Later, the F-16 started using the GE-101. It gave about 5k lbs more thrust and was larger in diameter....thus pretty much making it unsuitable for the F-15 (I was told...but may be wrong) A lot of the sound signature has to do with intake design as well. Usually, though, different engines yeild different sounds. Like Boom175 said especially when the engine in question is an almost 50 year old design turbojet orginally meant for cruise missiles. You never have to look to know a Prowler is in the break Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted July 25, 2005 Share Posted July 25, 2005 F-16's and F-15's used the same engines originally...the venerable Pratt & Whitney F-100. Later, the F-16 started using the GE-101. It gave about 5k lbs more thrust and was larger in diameter....thus pretty much making it unsuitable for the F-15 (I was told...but may be wrong) Only one F-16 was fitted with the F101-GE (GE-101) engine, and then only temporarily. Production Vipers use either F100-PW or F110-GE engines. The F110-GE engine is also used in production F-15Ks. Link to post Share on other sites
Collin Posted July 25, 2005 Share Posted July 25, 2005 F-16's and F-15's used the same engines originally...the venerable Pratt & Whitney F-100. Later, the F-16 started using the GE-101. It gave about 5k lbs more thrust and was larger in diameter....thus pretty much making it unsuitable for the F-15 (I was told...but may be wrong) A lot of the sound signature has to do with intake design as well. Usually, though, different engines yeild different sounds. Like Boom175 said especially when the engine in question is an almost 50 year old design turbojet orginally meant for cruise missiles. You never have to look to know a Prowler is in the break :lol: or on the cat for that matter... Link to post Share on other sites
flynavy Posted July 26, 2005 Share Posted July 26, 2005 there's nothing sweeter than a Tomcat flying the ball :lol: god i miss that sound :wacko: Link to post Share on other sites
CRASCA Posted July 26, 2005 Share Posted July 26, 2005 (edited) Why do Navy and Air Force jets sound different?Because Navy jets have BALLS! :lol: Edited July 26, 2005 by CRASCA Link to post Share on other sites
Randy Wise Posted July 26, 2005 Share Posted July 26, 2005 Because Navy jets have BALLS! Not only that, but Navy jets are flown by "Aviators" whilst Air Force birds are flown only by pilots. Randy Link to post Share on other sites
Jay Chladek Posted July 26, 2005 Share Posted July 26, 2005 Well, F-111s and P&W powered Tomcats tend to sound the same when shooting approaches because they use pretty much the same engines. That powerplant is just a whiney engine regardless of the inlet design. But, nothing sounds as awsome as a GE powered F-14B or D model. Those things roared like crazy at power. Link to post Share on other sites
Matt_S Posted July 26, 2005 Share Posted July 26, 2005 F-16's and F-15's used the same engines originally...the venerable Pratt & Whitney F-100. Later, the F-16 started using the GE-101. It gave about 5k lbs more thrust and was larger in diameter....thus pretty much making it unsuitable for the F-15 (I was told...but may be wrong) A lot of the sound signature has to do with intake design as well. Usually, though, different engines yeild different sounds. Like Boom175 said especially when the engine in question is an almost 50 year old design turbojet orginally meant for cruise missiles. You never have to look to know a Prowler is in the break or a Tornado. Matt :huh: Link to post Share on other sites
jrallman Posted July 26, 2005 Share Posted July 26, 2005 Its all in the Flowmaster exhausts! Link to post Share on other sites
flynavy Posted July 26, 2005 Share Posted July 26, 2005 one of them just has their rubber bands tighter than the other Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted July 26, 2005 Share Posted July 26, 2005 Rusty, you must be talking about the Air Force because the Navy has Aviators ... B) Gregg Link to post Share on other sites
EagleDriver Posted July 27, 2005 Share Posted July 27, 2005 Difference in sound Because the Navy uses discarded engines from the Air Force Link to post Share on other sites
Roi Posted July 27, 2005 Share Posted July 27, 2005 Uh let's see. Navy jets twins Lower , Slower,Shorter Air force jets Singles Higher, Faster, Farther (ya ever notice it usually take 2 guys to fly a Navy jet but only 1 to fly and Airforce jet? ) Main Entry: 2pilot Function: transitive verb 1 : to act as a guide to : lead or conduct over a usually difficult course Main Entry: avi·a·tor Pronunciation: 'A-vE-"A-t&r, 'a- Function: noun : the operator or pilot of an aircraft and especially an airplane Seems like being an "Aviator" is pretty Technical Link to post Share on other sites
Nathan Milarta Posted July 27, 2005 Share Posted July 27, 2005 This is my dumb answer, navy jets probably sound different becaue they need to take off in those short distances(carriers). I'd guess they need the extra power, hence louder sound??? Bigger engine? :wacko: But I am for the airforce "pilots" too, bacause they......"live alone"! "We live in fame or go down in flame, nothing will stop the U.S. Air Force!!!!!!!! :worship: :D -Nate Link to post Share on other sites
Karl Sander Posted July 28, 2005 Share Posted July 28, 2005 (ya ever notice it usually take 2 guys to fly a Navy jet but only 1 to fly and Airforce jet? ) Beats the alternative - me having to find an honest living. Link to post Share on other sites
Karl Sander Posted July 28, 2005 Share Posted July 28, 2005 Trying to kick this thread back to some semblance of reality...Honestly, one of the reasons many people think Navy and AF jets sound different in the pattern stems from a fundamental difference in USN and USAF pattern ops. Once established in a pattern, the USN jets leave their gear down. Closed patterns, outside container, etc. Doesn't matter, the gear stay down once established. USAF pattern ops mean you put the gear down once on final, base, or prior to rolling off the perch on inside downwind. When flying outside downwind, up initial, or crosswind, our landing gear are up. End result? We're carrying much less power in the pattern, and the engines are not NEARLY as loud. Not saying I'm right, but I know that I've been told how much quieter USAF pattern ops are compared to USN. -Waco and that reminds me of the F-15E pilot who let me fly a bit in the closed "container" - that's where I was reminded about ANOTHER difference in pattern work... lets just say I forgot about the squared corners.... Link to post Share on other sites
Battlehercdoc Posted July 28, 2005 Share Posted July 28, 2005 You know, I always thought it was the fact the Navy had headers on our planes. But the inservice rivalry is interesting. Doc Loza Link to post Share on other sites
Pete "Pig" Fleischmann Posted July 28, 2005 Share Posted July 28, 2005 Because Navy jets have BALLS! Not only that, but Navy jets are flown by "Aviators" whilst Air Force birds are flown only by pilots. B) Randy I'm sorry Randy, I missed something. Are you an Aviator, or a Pilot? Pig Link to post Share on other sites
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