gary1701 Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 Hi, Thought these might be of interest. 'Retro' flight of 3 Polish F-16s which went into Mildenhall late yesterday afternoon coming out this morning on the final leg of their journey. They caused a bit of confusion for the assembled photographers by having their ANG '135 go off one way and then come out the other - mass panic with people changing ends quickly! The first batch of these went via Leuchars recently so be interesting to see where the next go. Gary Link to post Share on other sites
yardbird78 Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 Are those new build aircraft or recycled USAF machines? Darwin Link to post Share on other sites
Almansur Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 Are those new build aircraft or recycled USAF machines? Spankin' new block 52 equivalents. Link to post Share on other sites
FAR148 Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 Great Photos Gary! Thanks for sharing them with us. Darwin, They are new build aircraft. Steven L Link to post Share on other sites
Skull Leader Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 and they will soon be "uglied up" with CFTs... Link to post Share on other sites
BjornB17 Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 and they will soon be "uglied up" with CFTs... I like the f-16's 'ugly' Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 Spankin' new block 52 equivalents. These are Block 52+ (that's 52 "plus") As I understand it the "+" indicates the jet has the MMC (same as CCIP & MLU) and the capability to carry CFTs (and a bunch of other improvements) Link to post Share on other sites
Aggressor Supporter Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 Nice and sharp pics Gary! Thanks for posting them. I like the f-16's 'ugly' So do I! Question-Why do they need to block out the Polish insignia and instead have the US insignia on it? Does it mean the planes still belong to the US until they are delivered? Link to post Share on other sites
gary1701 Posted February 3, 2007 Author Share Posted February 3, 2007 (edited) Glad they've gone down ok. I actually felt a bit guilty taking them as I turned up about 10 minutes before they departed where as some of the guys had been there, in the open and frost for several hours! Bit lucky really but I am less than a hours drive from Mildenhall. You notice the D model is one of the new big spine variants. The question about the blanked out insignia is quite interesting and I've never heard the definitive reason as to why although the prevailing opinon seems to be that that is indeed the reason as to why they carry US markings. Mind you that also seems to be the same for aircraft back for rework/upgrade. Another one below, Egyptian AF E-2C heading back to Egypt from upgrade photographed in December. Note the markings are also covered. Currently there's several Saudi Tornado's back at Bae Warton for work and possible upgrade and all Saudi markings are removed and they display serials from the UK military registry newly issued. It seems it's not just a US procedure. Gary Edited February 3, 2007 by gary1701 Link to post Share on other sites
Aggressor Supporter Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 The question about the blanked out insignia is quite interesting and I've never heard the definitive reason as to why although the prevailing opinon seems to be that that is indeed the reason as to why they carry US markings. Mind you that also seems to be the same for aircraft back for rework/upgrade. Another one below, Egyptian AF E-2C heading back to Egypt from upgrade photographed in December. Note the markings are also covered. Currently there's several Saudi Tornado's back at Bae Warton for work and possible upgrade and all Saudi markings are removed and they display serials from the UK military registry newly issued. It seems it's not just a US procedure. Gary That is interesting. Thanks for the information Gary. Link to post Share on other sites
Fiddler Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 I think that has something to do with airport acces, since Egypt aircraft probably aren't allowed of moving over sertain areas in the world. They probably only can with US markings, and I think the same for the Polish. Maybe the American forces have some arrangments with airfields, so the aircraft handling costs would be not so high, and think it is because of something like that they paint over the national markings... On the other hand, it is the US DoD that has the agreement with Poland for the vipers, so maybe that's why they deliver the aircraft with US markings... Don't really know but these could be the reasons after a quick thought :wacko: Cheers Link to post Share on other sites
jefropas Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 Boy, those Polish Vipers are nice, I bet they still have that new car smell to em.... Jeff Link to post Share on other sites
EWZ Posted February 4, 2007 Share Posted February 4, 2007 Great pictures Gary! You're a lucky man to catch them in those great light conditions Cheers Evert Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted February 5, 2007 Share Posted February 5, 2007 Wow, those are sweet! Link to post Share on other sites
PhantomPhreakII Posted February 5, 2007 Share Posted February 5, 2007 Great shots!!!!! :) Now if only the powers that be at Midlenhall would have another air Fete, that would make a lot uf us happy campers... Harald, remembering the hamburgers, cheeseburgers and stuff at Mildenhall Link to post Share on other sites
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