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09-10-2008, 05:50 PM

Waldo11

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09-26-2008, 10:24 PM

oicur12

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hey waldo,

I have always wanted to ask this.

the tail code of 86/340.

Does this mean it was the 340th f-16 built in 1986 or someone pulling my chain?

09-26-2008, 11:31 PM

AZFlyer

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Waldo, do you happen to have any sort of online photo collection with your military/viper photos?

I would be very much interested in seeing all the neat shots you've taken.

09-27-2008, 06:05 AM

Rolling-Thunder

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Quote:

Originally Posted by oicur12

hey waldo,

I have always wanted to ask this.

the tail code of 86/340.

Does this mean it was the 340th f-16 built in 1986 or someone pulling my chain?

The 86 is the year it was built (1986) and the 340 means that it was the 340th F-16 of that type ordered that year.

The aircraft's serial number is 86340

09-27-2008, 08:48 AM

AZFlyer

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolling-Thunder

The 86 is the year it was built (1986) and the 340 means that it was the 340th F-16 of that type ordered that year.

The aircraft's serial number is 86340

Why is this done? And by only the AF?

09-28-2008, 05:50 AM

hotshot

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Quote:

Originally Posted by AZFlyer

Why is this done? And by only the AF?

Just a guess, but it's probably the easiest way to give serial numbers to the aircraft.

I "drew" an F-16 in Notepad yesterday.

Last edited by hotshot; 09-28-2008 at 11:56 AM. Reason: Added tires to the Viper

09-28-2008, 05:41 PM

Rolling-Thunder

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Quote:

Originally Posted by AZFlyer

Why is this done? And by only the AF?

Yes - this system is used by the AF only. The Navy & Marines have their own system, and the Army has their own.

Also, the AF does not follow that system 100% of the time. There are circumstances whereby an older aircraft could get a complete modernization package and be given a new serial number. Also, the F-22 Raptor and the F-117 have a different serial number "system".

Last edited by Rolling-Thunder; 09-28-2008 at 05:42 PM. Reason: spelling

09-28-2008, 10:54 PM

AZFlyer

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolling-Thunder

I see. And does this system only take into account the aircraft produced for our inventory? (as opposed to a numbering of all aircraft regardless of who the customer is).

i.e. #1 goes to USA, #2 goes to Netherlands, #3 USA, etc? Im guessing no.

It seems that the system is for a/c ID, and not for knowing where on the production run the a/c was built. Interesting.

09-29-2008, 05:48 AM

Rolling-Thunder

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Correct - the system does not "tell" you where in the production run the aircraft was made. It only indicates how many of each type a specific branch of service ordered for that fiscal year.

Last edited by Rolling-Thunder; 09-29-2008 at 05:49 AM. Reason: clarity

09-30-2008, 04:35 PM

#10

Waldo11

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Quote:

Originally Posted by AZFlyer

Waldo, do you happen to have any sort of online photo collection with your military/viper photos?

I would be very much interested in seeing all the neat shots you've taken.

All the ones I've put onto photobucket I've pretty much thrown up on here. I don't get the oppurtunity to take photos that much. Riding in the back of the War Wagon gets pretty old....