Thunderbird's F-100 at Minot AFB early 1960's

Mon Jul 06, 2009 8:50 pm

The Blue Angels do a "sneak attack". While the crowd is intently watching the diamond formation (just like the announcer is telling them to. . .), the lead solo comes blistering in very low from behind the crowd at the speed of heat and scares the living daylights out of just about everyone. I think the Thunderbirds may do it also, although the Hornet makes more noise than the Viper.

(sorry, Viper fans. . . I'm partial to the Hornet)

Cheers,

Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:30 pm

ktst97 wrote:
Second Air Force wrote:Dean, you've never lived until you have witnessed the opener back when the T-Birds flew the F-100. I believe the maneuver was called the "sneak attack" or some such. Envision the Diamond doing a nice pass down show center and the Solo coming from crowd rear. Fast, and I mean FAST! I will remember that first opener for as long as I live.
Scott

I was at Etain AB, France in'63 or '64 when the Thunderbirds toured Europe. When the 'Birds appeared at Toul-Rosières Air Base, a large contingent of us who wanted to see the show were bussed over to "Toul". First time I had seen the 'Birds. That "sneak attack" probably caused a lot of "pee pee leaks" amongst the distaff side of the viewing folks, and possibly a few skid marks in the shorts of some of the guys.
Absolutely great stunt! Wish they still did it.

Yup, a real crowd pleaser to those who either knew it was coming or happened to look back just before he got there. I especially remember him banging it in and out of AB as he passed over the reviewing stand. They did a supersonic opener a few times until somebody supposedly got hurt ducking/falling.........

AIRPOWER!

Mon Jul 06, 2009 11:39 pm

Found some more Thunderbird photos I'm putting on.

This closeup of the photo above shows that it is soot on the tail fin. You can see the paint thru the soot.

Here are some black and white photos of the Thunderbirds.

Tue Jul 07, 2009 5:40 pm

k5dh wrote:The Blue Angels do a "sneak attack".
I think the Thunderbirds may do it also

I've seen both the 'Birds and the Blues within these past two summers. Somehow, "it just ain't the same........"
I know, I'm getting jaded in my old age :twisted:

Tue Jul 07, 2009 5:44 pm

They don't let em go supersonic anymore! Spoil all the fun!! Now a B-1 doing the sneak up from behind trick! THAT will get your attention!!!

Tue Jul 07, 2009 8:09 pm

The Hornet, along with the Harrier, is one of the most efficient devices man has ever invented to turn jet fuel into noise.

Walt

Tue Jul 07, 2009 8:20 pm

there is still a Thunderbird F-100 around, it is stuck on a pole in Glendale, AZ

Tue Jul 07, 2009 10:28 pm

The Thunderbirds are going to be in Peoria IL this weekend July 10 & 11. I'm going the 11th. Will try to get some good photos.

Wed Jul 08, 2009 12:04 am

I just watched the T-birds this past weekend. I first saw them 25 years ago, and have only seen them in F-16s. I would have loved to see the Phantoms or Huns.

They still do a couple of high speed "tactical surprise" passes during the routine, but it seems like the first time I saw them the pass was much lower and closer. Of course, that was at a more rural field. Every time I've seen them since has been at an urban airport..they may scale it back a bit in populated areas.

As long as we're on the subject, here are a few snapshots from this past weekend's airshow here in Battle Creek. These were taken with what's basically a fancy point-n-shoot..I really need to get a decent DSLR.

Those were shot on Sunday. I shot these on Saturday from my front yard, while the steaks sizzled on the grill out back. Great way to spend the Fourth of July!

SN

Wed Jul 08, 2009 1:03 am

I've been fortunate to see the T-Birds in several different aircraft. Bear in mind I was an impressionable youth when I first saw them, but my unofficial rating system is as follows:

1. F-100D (I remember the show better as I was a couple of years older)
2. F-100C (That opening Solo pass left a big impression on me!)
3. F-16
4. F-4 (Deafness is neat when you're young, but those big monsters took a while to get turned around for the next maneuver)
5. T-38

I've never seen a bad show from any of them, including an F-16 show at Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls when one of the guys ingested a bird and had to go get the spare airplane.

Thanks again for the great photos!
Scott

Wed Jul 08, 2009 6:44 am

Was Jack Broughton the Thunderbird Lead at that time.

Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:48 am

Owen Miller wrote:Was Jack Broughton the Thunderbird Lead at that time.

According to the list I have, Lt. Colonel W. Alden was commander in '63. I did some websearching and W. is as close to a first name as I can find. Broughton was Lead when they transitioned from the F-84 to the Super Sabre in '56.

Wed Jul 08, 2009 1:50 pm

Here's a question: What is the T-birds' standard schedule when they're "on the road." I know the Blues usually perform on weekends, then head back to their home base for practice during the week. I assumed the T-birds did the same, but the entire team was still parked out at our airport on Monday, and I just saw two of them depart about ten minutes ago. Do they normally just go from show to show?

SN