What's the deal with... Newport News Hunters, and?

[Ryan Keough]

Hi everyone,

Doing some virtual sightseeing on Virtual Earth today and came across this collection of Hunters and... my apologies, I don't know if these are Viggens, Rafales, or Typhoons... at Newport News Int'l in Virginia.

See: http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&F ... &encType=1


What's the deal with them? Looks like there's another delta-wing warbird near a hangar just a bit away from them as well.

[Mike Bates]

Looks like those are IAI Kfir's.

I think somone operated them as adversary a/c on contract.

The Navy/Marines used them awhile back known as the F-21.

That other one is a Saab Draken, looks like a 2 seater.

Mike

[Shay]

Shay
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Semper Fortis

[octane130]

Yeah, Bates and Shay are correct, those are Hunters and IAI Kfirs lined up and the aircraft by the hangar is a Saab Draaken. An outfit named ATAC uses Kfirs for contract dissimilar aircraft training to the US military.

Last edited by octane130 on Sun Nov 30, 2008 5:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Bill Walker]

Thats a Saab 35 Draken and either a T-38 or F-5 a little to the north. Is this an operator, or a collector?

[planenutti]

I live about 2 miles from Newport News/Williamsburg (PHF) and right under the flight path. The Hunters, Kfirs, Learjets and T38 are owned by an operator that provides target services to the local bases (Langley, Oceana, ships out of Norfolk Naval Base and most likely the bases down in the Carolinas). They provide dissimilar combat agressors, tracking exercises, and detection to engagement exercises. I am sure that they might have a few extra tricks up their sleeves to keep themselves employed. Makes for an interesting pattern to watch at times.

[Shay]

I live about 2 miles from Newport News/Williamsburg (PHF) and right under the flight path. The Hunters, Kfirs, Learjets and T38 are owned by an operator that provides target services to the local bases (Langley, Oceana, ships out of Norfolk Naval Base and most likely the bases down in the Carolinas). They provide dissimilar combat agressors, tracking exercises, and detection to engagement exercises. I am sure that they might have a few extra tricks up their sleeves to keep themselves employed. Makes for an interesting pattern to watch at times.

Hey PN, since you live so close, Do you know what all the dilapidated structures and towers to the NW are? Just the other side of Cherokee Dr. That whole area is over grown with trees but looks likes it at one time had roads laid out.

Old military facility?

Shay
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Semper Fortis