Ukrainian F-16’s break cover

[Thunder]

https://theaviationist.com/2024/08/04/h ... f-16-jets/

[Col Nago]

The first of many. Happy hunting!

*A certain forum member assured us that this was never going to happen. It just point blank wasn't going to happen. No way.

[quid21]

A good move to not place serials on the fins.

[H.A.Bucken]

I'm a bit perplexed by the strategy; what happened to their SU-27/35s- supposedly a highly rated a/c?
Roger

[CLPSLFBT]

A good move to not place serials on the fins.

I’m not sure if it’s a Dr’d pic but I did see a pic online of a pair doing a flypast that were showing their serials on the tail.

Cheers Glenn

[TonyO]

A good move to not place serials on the fins.

They carry serials, but the images have been edited.

I'm a bit perplexed by the strategy; what happened to their SU-27/35s- supposedly a highly rated a/c?
Roger

What? Their Su-27s are ancient, only had minor upgrades throughout their careers and they don't have Su-35.

[seven]

I'm a bit perplexed by the strategy; what happened to their SU-27/35s- supposedly a highly rated a/c?
Roger

Su-27s still in service, noted recently dropping JDAM-ER too!

Su-35, Ukraine hasn't captured any, yet. Destroyed a few though!

[TomG]

A good move to not place serials on the fins.

I’m not sure if it’s a Dr’d pic but I did see a pic online of a pair doing a flypast that were showing their serials on the tail.

Cheers Glenn

Carrying serials UA 80-3596 & UA 80-3599, both ex RDAF aircraft.

[Finty]

I'm a bit perplexed by the strategy; what happened to their SU-27/35s- supposedly a highly rated a/c?
Roger

I can see why you would be confused if you think Ukraine are flying Su-35s!

Think about it, supporting F-16s from a logistical angle will be easier than ex-Soviet kit. Their 27s date from circa 1990 so aren’t spring chickens either.

[Col Nago]

I note these F-16's have been handed over with the Terma pylon system fitted. That'll be a big help.

https://www.twz.com/32521/air-force-f-1 ... ermeasures

[hvaneupen]

A good move to not place serials on the fins.

I’m not sure if it’s a Dr’d pic but I did see a pic online of a pair doing a flypast that were showing their serials on the tail.

Cheers Glenn

Carrying serials UA 80-3596 & UA 80-3599, both ex RDAF aircraft.

E-596 participated in the Ramstein 1-v-1 exercise on June 6th

[quid21]

A good move to not place serials on the fins.

I’m not sure if it’s a Dr’d pic but I did see a pic online of a pair doing a flypast that were showing their serials on the tail.

Cheers Glenn

Carrying serials UA 80-3596 & UA 80-3599, both ex RDAF aircraft.

Thanks, apologies, didn't see the other images. I thought they might be hiding the serials to hide the number of aircraft they will eventually have.

Hopefully they will make a dent in the conflict at least in the close air support role. I think it's questionable that they would make any difference against air superiority fighters unless the Ukranians are well trained and the Russians are not - time will tell.

Good luck!

[H.A.Bucken]

TQ for the updates on Ukraine's inventory- I wasn't sure what variants of the Flanker they have.
Roger

[seven]

Also of note, the two airframes behind Zelensky in his briefing, are clearly not European supplied, note the IFF bird slicers on both. Ex-US decoys?

[Alf]

Also of note, the two airframes behind Zelensky in his briefing, are clearly not European supplied, note the IFF bird slicers on both. Ex-US decoys?

The two on the ground have been reported as possibly ex AMARG, one being 84-1378. So maybe ground instructional trainers or decoy non fliers.

[TomG]

Also of note, the two airframes behind Zelensky in his briefing, are clearly not European supplied, note the IFF bird slicers on both. Ex-US decoys?

The 'IFF slicers' are a fit on current NATO jets, from memory added during upgrade to F-16AM/BM standard.

[seven]

There are different types, the ones on the two mentioned above are the early triangular shaped aerials, whilst the European MLU's all have much flatter aerials. Easily missed (spesh from a cheap reconnaissance drone) but big difference.

[RichardFromRotterdam]

The ones in there background of the Zelensky speech are former USAF F-16A ADFs.

[TomG]

There are different types, the ones on the two mentioned above are the early triangular shaped aerials, whilst the European MLU's all have much flatter aerials. Easily missed (spesh from a cheap reconnaissance drone) but big difference.

Good spot, thanks - I must pay more attention!

[Agent K]

I'm a bit perplexed by the strategy; what happened to their SU-27/35s- supposedly a highly rated a/c?
Roger

Maybe the engineering product support from Russia isn't as good as it used to be?