USAF *Thunderbirds* mishap pic ...

[Chicoartist]

For those who have not seen a good pic of the, ahh, touch between jets 3 and 4, here's a good one:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/905387/L

Wade

[dj51d]

That's an amazing shot. An incredible close call.

[RyanShort1]

Interesting to note that that aircraft is a two-seater. I didn't know that they were using those in the actual shows as part of the diamond formation...

Ryan

[RickH]

Usually, they use the two place when the single is broken.

[Chicoartist]

Usually, they use the two place when the single is broken.

Right you are, of course. One year at Barksdale AFB I was an airshow worker and managed to secure a VIP seating pass right in front of the parked jets. Great view of the pre-show routine.

Anyway, after engine start one of the diamond pilots had a problem and raised his canopy, jumped out of his jet, and trotted, still wearing his helmet, to a nearby van which took him away. Looked kind of funny.

The rest of the team taxied out. They took a little longer than usual at the hammerhead and when they launched, the pilot in question was now flying the 'family model'.

I can't recall which of the diamond pilots had to switch jets, but it does bring up an interesting question: When, on occasion they have to use the two-seater, does it (the D-model) have to fly the slot position? I wonder if 2 or 3 has to leave his jet behind, does he then take the 4 jet (single seat) while the slot pilot, no. 4, jumps into the family model? All swapping done at the hammerhead...?

I've seen many, many Thunderbirds shows, and I've always been impressed ... started watching them in F-4s - the best demo plane, period!

[Aircraft Mech Paul]

Amazing Photo....

Sure tells me that those pilots are the best at what they do to have averted near disaster. God Bless our Men and Women in Uniform...everywhere they may be !

Paul

[Manonthefence]

Sure tells me that those pilots are the best at what they do to have averted near disaster

Erm despite the fact that they put themselves there in the first place (again!)

They do seem to have a nasty habit of hitting things (each other, the ground etc).

God Bless our Men and Women in Uniform...everywhere they may be !

The one thing I really appreciate about the USA is the way they treat their Military, its something we in the UK would do well to follow.

[Randy Haskin]

They do seem to have a nasty habit of hitting things (each other, the ground etc).

To be honest, I'm surprised there aren't more mid-airs in military formation flying student training. The T-Birds are at the top of that heap, so it's more than just luck for them.