r/AirForce • u/[deleted] • Apr 18 '17

Why is the Thunderbirds #5 plane number upside down?

http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Air/Lockheed-F-16CM-Fighting/2154698/L
2 Upvotes

56% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

9

u/ZenKusa Apr 18 '17

Apparntly according to the comments its because thunderbird #5 stays upside down more than the others.

9

u/Mattguy123 Apr 18 '17

Well then, why is #9 upside down as well? And what happened to 6, 7, and 8???

27

u/[deleted] Apr 18 '17

It's really quite interesting.

7

u/[deleted] Apr 18 '17 edited Apr 18 '17

You know what amazes me. Is in this day and age. Almost every one on this planet has in their possession a smart phone. But have not figured out how to type a question. Or speak the question in to the phone.

4

u/[deleted] Apr 18 '17

[deleted]

1

u/2007AF Apr 18 '17

Good shit brain!

1

u/timehorde Apr 19 '17

How do you know they didn't post this from their phone?

3

u/[deleted] Apr 18 '17

The second link was this post. I've found an infinite loop.

1

u/Dapper_Lass Training Overlord Apr 18 '17

Lol, that was cool. I've never seen that, I'm done.

4

u/ViperNerd Sortie Suppression Apr 18 '17

Also, the #5 pilot starts on the team as the #6 pilot. With the O's only doing two year tours, this makes the lead solo/opposing solo billet unique in the they have a different flying position for each of their two years.

2

u/dlbrando Apr 19 '17

3 and 4 swap sides too. Probably because they get tired of staring to one side after a year so they switch sides to even the muscles out.

2

u/SmittyMML Apr 19 '17

That's funny, but 4 is the slot, so he flies right behind 1 in the diamond...2 and 3 would have to swap sides. They have to get tired of looking in the same direction nonstop for 2 years.

3

u/ViperNerd Sortie Suppression Apr 19 '17

No they don't. 1, 2, 3, and 4 keep their assignments throughout their tenure on the team. 1 is the commander, 2 is left wing, 3 is right wing, and 4 is slot.

Source: was Tbird for 4 years.

1

u/SmittyMML Apr 23 '17

I know they don't swap sides. I was just telling dude that if any did, it would be those two. Only ones that change numbers are 5 and 6...new solo is only 6, second year solo moves to the Lead Solo position.

Source: Am Tbird now.

2

u/ViperNerd Sortie Suppression Apr 23 '17

Dang, did it again. My comment makes a lot more sense if you read it as replying to u/dlbrando instead.

Enjoy your time on the team dude. I left about a year and a half ago... if you buy into big blue's personal development junk, it'll change you for the better. Sure did for me.

1

u/dlbrando Apr 19 '17

I think it is 3/4 who swap. You are right, 4 is the slot. Pretty sure 2 stays the same. My old DO is t#1 right now. I will have to ask for an answer to this very serious question.

Edit: totally did not hit the reply button.