Just a Nice Pic

[Fatman17]

A new-build two-seat JF-17B Block II (serial 20-626) awaits roll out after receiving its operational PAF colours at PAC’s Kamra facility. SalmanFalconsPK

 

[Fatman17]

JF-17 Block I (serial 13-143) gets airborne from PAF Base Peshawar for a local sortie. SalmanFalconsPK

 

[Fatman17]

This JF-17 Block I (serial 10-128) from No 28 (Multi-Role) Squadron ‘Phoenix’ basks in the sun at PAF Base Samungli after completing an air-to-ground mission in 2021. Note the aircraft is still equipped with its dual ejector racks as it is prepared for a second sortie. SalmanFalconsPK

 

[GoMig-21]

This pic shows one thing about how far the US is ahead of everyone else when it comes to military aviation technology specifically the air intake. First there's the supersonic divertless air intake which is the first time we see that concept in US jet designs (although I believe the Chinese led the technology in that first) and then the incredible S-ducting of inside the intake. If there is ever a photo that shows how drastic the S-ducting is on the F-35, it's this one. You can clearly see the intake on the right side of the photo (left side of the aircraft) visibly shows how immediately the duct turns right past the opening. The ducting takes an immediate, sharp turn to the center of the fuselage and to the engine fan. Granted that's assisted by the fact that it's a single engine located in the center of the fuselage forcing the ducting to take that drastic turn anyway, but that's all part of the genius of the design to being with. Had the aircraft incorporated dual engines, they would've needed to be spaced wider causing the intake to not need such a drastic turn.

That sharp turn is huge in maintaining the aircraft's stealthy features as it prevents radar waves & beams from penetrating the entire duct and bouncing like crazy off the fan blade, resulting in a significant radar signature return.

This is just one of many incredible, innovative designs on the F-35 that make it what it is, a highly sought-after stealth platform and adding to the greatness of the United States military aviation technology.

View attachment 27873
Captain Christopher Stricklin, the pilot of US Air Force F-16C serial number 87-0327, part of the USAF Thunderbirds demonstration team, ejects at low level, seconds before it crashed on September 14, 2003, during an air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. The ACES II ejection seat meant Stricklin was uninjured
USAF

I actually remember when this happened since we were going to see the Thunderbirds that year and it was big news. For the most part, they stopped coming up here in the North East for a few years after the crash and we were only able to see the Blue Angels for the next 5 years or so until the T-Birds started coming back again.

Come to find out it was a major error in the planning and altitude settings during their pre-show exercises (if you can call it that) which had terrible consequences. luckily no one died or was hurt. I think he suffered minor injuries from the ejections but lost his spot as the #6 Thunderbird after that.

A huge part of that is they plan the majority of the stunts over what they call "ground zero" which is always a marked point on the ground, an empty patch of land that marks the center of all their maneuvers for reference. Also the spot where they determine the critical ground level setting.

During the previous week leading up to the show, the team has its practice sessions which entails familiarizing with this point on the ground and practicing all the routines. Getting used to the air & thermals above the hot ground etc. The Blue Angels always commented on how flying over water (as in the sea being navy pilots) was always much steadier as the heat would reflect the hot air off the water at an even pace. Over land, it's totally inconsistent as some spots over rough terrain & mountains are much more drastic than over flat plains etc.

The other critical setting is the altimeter on the aircraft. That's set by 2 factors, mean sea level altitudes and ground level altitudes. Most of the time in higher elevations such as mountainous regions like here, the difference between the two levels could be as much as 5000 ft. above sea level. In this case in Idaho, ground level setting was 3000ft ABOVE mean sea level and the altimeter needed to be set on the F-16 to mark that difference, so the pilots know what their altitude is at all times. And that setting couldn't be more important than when performing a low-level loop (or in this case they called it a Split-S) upon takeoff!!

So this pilot, for some reason didn't set the correct altitude in his F-16 which was the critical error that caused this unfortunate mishap.

He lines up on the runway, does a super short takeoff followed by an impressive full vertical climb until he reaches only 1670ft (he should've climbed to at least 2000ft) altitude to begin the inverted loop/split-S and goes into it. Only to find out once he comes out of it at the bottom of the loop that he's way too low and the aircraft was headed straight into the ground.

Give him credit for recognizing the danger and acting in milliseconds to save his life, undoubtedly accompanied by countless alarm bells and ground approach warnings. The rest is history.

How quick it happens!

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[Fatman17]

8-pass charlie

 

[Fatman17]

Anatolian Eagle 16-2​

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Anatolian Eagle 16-2​

The exercise Anatolian Eagle is held four times each year. Each exercise has a dedicated goal and the second one usually involves participation from other countries as well. In any case, the Turkish Air Force always participates in numbers. Aviagraphers reports on the 2016-2 edition.

Aviation enthusiasts and photographers have rumoured the demise of the F-4E-2020 Terminator many times, but the fact is that they remain in the inventory and therefore also participate in Anatolian Eagle.

Turkey is one of the largest operators of the F-16, using block 30, block 40, block 50, and block 50+ versions of the type. Local agressor unit 132 Filo provides the enemy opposition during the Anatolian Eagle training exercise; one of their F-16C-50 is seen here.

Battlefield situational awareness is greatly enhanced by using a flying radar-post like this Boeing 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft operated by local 131 Filo. It can provide real time battlefield overview, relay vectors and target priority. This is considered a very priced asset, so apart from using it to good effect; training to protect it, is part of the exercise as well.

 

[Fatman17]

Also based at Konya, with 135 Filo, are AS532 Cougars. They are tasked with Combat Search and Rescue. During the exercise they often fly to the nearby ranges for gunnery practice at a mock airfield to train their skills in clearing an extraction point.

Used as station hacks and to support the AS532's CSAR missions are UH-1H Hueys.

Countries with friendly ties to Turkey are often participating. One of the regular attendees is the Pakistan Air Force. They use legacy F-16A/B aircraft and Turkey is an ideal location for them to conduct exercises with other air forces.

Italy sent a sizeable contingent of Panavia 200s to Konya. The Aeronautica Militare is a keen participant of many exercises, besides their own exercises at Decimomannu Air Weapons Training Installation, they also sent aircraft to Red Flag 2016-2 earlier this year.

Overview of just one row of the visitor's ramp. Visible are Pakistani F-16sbehind an impressive line-up of Saudi Tornadoes. Saudi Arabia is also a long time participant to Anatolian Eagle, bringing their prime assets like the F-15 and Tornado.

 

[Fatman17]

All these aircraft need support to keep them in the air. Near the visitor's ramp, a small 'village' is errected and crew chiefs and flight line maintainers are busy to achieve the required turn around times. They bring a lot of support equipment and therefore at the start and end of the exercise, transports drop in at regular intervals. The Italians use the C-27J, and the Pakis the C-130.

The Turks themselves support the exercise with a detachment of CN235s and visiting C-130s but also one of their brand new A400 made a welcome visit.

The mighty F-16D-50+ roars away from Konya's runway; its dorsal spine is in evidence here. It houses some avionics but also extra fuel to further enhance its useful range.
Not long after the exercise, some internal turmoil occurred in Turkey in which parts of the Air Force are said to have played a role. So at this point in time, Anatolian Eagle will not be held in the same manner in 2017. It is slated to return in 2018 though. All we can say is that we enjoyed both the hospitality and professionalism of the Turkish hosts over the years.

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• Europe
• 2016
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[Fatman17]

Aircraft
Pakistan - Air Force
North American F-86F Sabre
Reg.: 53-5412
Location & Date
PAF Academy Risalpur
Pakistan - April 2012

 

[Fatman17]

Aircraft
Pakistan - Air Force
Dassault Mirage IIIRP
Reg.: 70-211
Location & Date
Withheld
Pakistan - March 1, 2022

 

[Fatman17]

Pakistan Air Force’s F-16C Fighting Falcon prepares for take-off at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, US. Credit: US Air Force, photo by Tech Sgt. Frank Miller.

 

[Fatman17]

 

[Fatman17]

FLYING HOME shows the RAF Typhoon Display Team aircraft, BLACKJACK, piloted by Flt Lt Sainty flying over the iconic White Cliffs of southern British coastline ahead of the anniversary of the Battle of Britain. MOD Crown Copyright/SAC Dafydd Lewis

 

[Fatman17]

 

[Fatman17]