The Blue Angels or The Thunderbirds?

[Monster Dave]

It would be hard to see the BAs change from the F-18s after all this time. I would hope that if they were going to change that they'd get the F22 and the TBs would get the F35.

I verified this is a CGI rendering (a very good one) of the F-35:

[AeroGeek]

It would be hard to see the BAs change from the F-18s after all this time. I would hope that if they were going to change that they'd get the F22 and the TBs would get the F35.

But the F-22 is not a Navy aircraft, it is Air Force only.  If anything changes, I would think the Blue Angels would get the Navy or Marine version of the F-35 while the Thunderbirds would get the Air Force version of the F-35.

[IZ]

Fighting Falcons!! 

[LMT]

As a Vet of the Air Force I go with the Thunderbirds!!!

[Triple J]

But the F-22 is not a Navy aircraft, it is Air Force only.  If anything changes, I would think the Blue Angels would get the Navy or Marine version of the F-35 while the Thunderbirds would get the Air Force version of the F-35.

Exactly.

Also, if the F-18s are too expensive, there's no way in hell either team will be getting either of those planes, especially the F-22.

Honestly, the F-16 is probably the best fighter the US has for aerial teams. I doubt either the F-22 or F-35 would be superior, as they're both designed as a do it all plane.

[Monster Dave]

Exactly.

Also, if the F-18s are too expensive, there's no way in hell either team will be getting either of those planes, especially the F-22.

Honestly, the F-16 is probably the best fighter the US has for aerial teams. I doubt either the F-22 or F-35 would be superior, as they're both designed as a do it all plane.

I hadn't thought about the service branch related to the planes used (good point), but was thinking more of the distinctive differences between the two.

Personally I think the F-22 would make an amazing aerial demonstration aircraft - it's vectored thrust would make for an amazing show in formation.

I much prefer the F-18 to the F-16. Side-by-side, I've always felt that the F-16 looked more like the ugly little brother even though it was built first.

They are purpose built aircraft for sure and each have distinct operational differences that change their performance capabilities, but still...I'd take an F-18 any day.

[Triple J]

I much prefer the F-18 to the F-16. Side-by-side, I've always felt that the F-16 looked more like the ugly little brother even though it was built first.

Both are great aircraft (my 2 favorite actually), but both competed against each other when the Air Force asked for a dedicated air superiority figher. The F-16 was the winner, unanimously chosen by all of the pilots who flew it during testing due to its superior agility. The Navy then decided to purchase the F-18 (called the YF-17 during the competition) to be their new fighter. If anything, the F-18 is the ugly little brother (even though it is a fantastic airplane).

Both have since had ground support capabilities added to them, which is a shame as it detracts from their original purpose. Notice the small nose cones on the prototype aircraft below...before the Pentagon forced the addition of massive radar and the current bulbous nose cones. That's the Pentagon way though.

It'd be interesting to see how an F-22 fared against an F-16 in air to air combat with equal pilots, when stealth is useless. I think the F-16 would hold it's own well.

[Monster Dave]

That's a cool pic. 

I can't look at an F-16 without thinking:



That movie's been forever etched in my memory.

From what I've seen the F-22 do, I really don't think (for as agile and competitive as it is) that the F-16 would stand much of a chance. But that ultimately might come down to pilot skill.

[Monster Dave]

Anyone remember seeing the BAs or the TBs when they flew the F4's?

[orangelion03]

Anyone remember seeing the BAs or the TBs when they flew the F4's?

Yup...mentioned it in my post further back.


FYI, the YF-17 that competed against the F-16 in the original LWF was completely different than what eventually became the F-18.  They make look similar, but the 18 is about 25% larger in almost every respect.  The Navy's requirements for carrier ops, range, payload necessitated an all new design, larger and heavier.  Though Northrop designed and built the YF-17, the Navy pretty much demanded that McDonnell-Douglas be given the contract for the F-18.  The newer FA-18E/F Super Hornet is for all intents and purposes, a completely new aircraft and shares almost nothing with earlier Hornets.

[Monster Dave]

FYI, the YF-17 that competed against the F-16 in the original LWF was completely different than what eventually became the F-18.  They make look similar, but the 18 is about 25% larger in almost every respect.  The Navy's requirements for carrier ops, range, payload necessitated an all new design, larger and heavier.  Though Northrop designed and built the YF-17, the Navy pretty much demanded that McDonnell-Douglas be given the contract for the F-18.  The newer FA-18E/F Super Hornet is for all intents and purposes, a completely new aircraft and shares almost nothing with earlier Hornets.

Interesting, I didn't know that. 

[Triple J]

FYI, the YF-17 that competed against the F-16 in the original LWF was completely different than what eventually became the F-18.  They make look similar, but the 18 is about 25% larger in almost every respect.  The Navy's requirements for carrier ops, range, payload necessitated an all new design, larger and heavier.  Though Northrop designed and built the YF-17, the Navy pretty much demanded that McDonnell-Douglas be given the contract for the F-18.  The newer FA-18E/F Super Hornet is for all intents and purposes, a completely new aircraft and shares almost nothing with earlier Hornets.

Very true...they made it a do-it-all airplane, instead of the air superiority fighter it was originally designed to be. Same thing happened to the production F-16, just to a lesser extent.

Interesting that the F-16 has the greatest range of any modern fighter. The F-18 and F-22 are tied for the worst. F-16 also has a higher top speed.

[Bick]

Interesting, I didn't know that.  

MonsterDave did not know something?!!!

My image of you is completely shattered!

[Monster Dave]

MonsterDave did not know something?!!!

My imagage of you is completely shattered!

smartass.  

[Scotzman]

Anyone that can land on a moving runway that's pitch black gets my vote.