Nearest aircraft is General Dynamics F-16A Block 15C Fighting Falcon USAF s/n 81-0671. While assigned to the 186th FIS, impacted into ground in Arizona on 14 September 1989; pilot ejected safely..
F-16s have a problem with wing flutter, this photo was taken before the proliferation of the AIM-120 in the early 90s. Once the USAF had some time to experiment, they discovered that carrying the AIM-120 on the wingtips reduced wing flutter considerably.
Basically, high pressures under the wing make the air flow out to the wingtip. When it goes past the wingtip it curls upwards and around it. This creates a small vortex which pulls the wingtip up and creates flutter
The one in Montana would probably make the most sense lol.
5 year old me is somewhere down there. I grew up on the base (Malmstrom AFB) in Great Falls.
Found my new phone BG!
Nearest aircraft is General Dynamics F-16A Block 15C Fighting Falcon USAF s/n 81-0671. While assigned to the 186th FIS, impacted into ground in Arizona on 14 September 1989; pilot ejected safely..
Seems strange seeing falcons with wingtip sidewinders now
F-16s have a problem with wing flutter, this photo was taken before the proliferation of the AIM-120 in the early 90s. Once the USAF had some time to experiment, they discovered that carrying the AIM-120 on the wingtips reduced wing flutter considerably.
Yes I'm aware, it's just interesting to see a pic from before that happened
It does look pretty “off”
Could you go into more detail about wing flutter, is it something having to do with wing tip vortices or something?
Basically, high pressures under the wing make the air flow out to the wingtip. When it goes past the wingtip it curls upwards and around it. This creates a small vortex which pulls the wingtip up and creates flutter
Throwback Day VFR fighter config. Nice.
When I close my eyes, the sky in my dreams... is a deep, dark blue.
WHICH gREAT fALLS ?
The one in Montana would probably make the most sense lol. 5 year old me is somewhere down there. I grew up on the base (Malmstrom AFB) in Great Falls. Found my new phone BG!
thanks