F-16 question
Fri Oct 18, 2013 6:21 am
Anyone know when the "Viper" nickname came along? Circa 1980s, I only knew them as the "Electric Jet" or the more derogatory "Lawn Dart". In the early 1990s, quite a few Guard/Reserve units were slated for conversion to F-16s with no reference to "Vipers" on the associated patches (Hogs to Falcons; Phantoms to Falcons, etc). Same with the various "Driver" patches from back in the day. "Eagle Driver, Hog Driver, Tweet Driver, etc" but no Viper Driver until fairly recently.
Re: F-16 question
Fri Oct 18, 2013 6:52 am
Re: F-16 question
Fri Oct 18, 2013 8:31 am
Battlestar Galactica back when Starbuck was a dude and Boomer was a black dude, and Col. Tigh was too sober for his own good.
Reinforced possibly by both F-16's and Colonial Vipers having side sticks. I wonder how many F-16's unofficially ended up with a "Turbo" button on the stick?
Reinforced possibly by both F-16's and Colonial Vipers having side sticks. I wonder how many F-16's unofficially ended up with a "Turbo" button on the stick?
Re: F-16 question
Fri Oct 18, 2013 9:28 am
the usaf is starting to use f-16s as drones for combat training. hard to believe they are that old & long in the tooth!!
Re: F-16 question
Sat Oct 19, 2013 6:37 am
Thanks for your replies. While I have no doubt the F-16 carries the Viper nickname today, I'd be very curious as to when the interview referenced on F-16.net was conducted?
Back in the early 1990s, quite a few squadrons began or planned conversion onto F-16s from other platforms. These conversions were usually accompanied by semi-official, and unofficial patches to commemorate the change. To the best of my knowledge, none of these unofficial/commemorative patches reference the jet as Viper. I can understand Fighting Falcon on official patches since it's the official name of the jet. A good example was the planned conversion to F-16s by both the CT and MA ANGs back in 1991. Patches were duly produced and the A-10s are proudly referred to as Hogs while the F-16s are referenced as Falcons.
If the Viper nickname was in place back in the early 1980s, I'm a bit confused why the name doesn't really appear anywhere? I suspect the name came along quite a bit later -- probably mid-90s.
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Back in the early 1990s, quite a few squadrons began or planned conversion onto F-16s from other platforms. These conversions were usually accompanied by semi-official, and unofficial patches to commemorate the change. To the best of my knowledge, none of these unofficial/commemorative patches reference the jet as Viper. I can understand Fighting Falcon on official patches since it's the official name of the jet. A good example was the planned conversion to F-16s by both the CT and MA ANGs back in 1991. Patches were duly produced and the A-10s are proudly referred to as Hogs while the F-16s are referenced as Falcons.
If the Viper nickname was in place back in the early 1980s, I'm a bit confused why the name doesn't really appear anywhere? I suspect the name came along quite a bit later -- probably mid-90s.