Thunderbirds: A History and What If The F22 Raptor was used?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 มิ.ย. 2024
- Let's take a look at the various aircraft the Thunderbirds have flown over the years along with a "what if'' scenario that I think you'll enjoy.
A documentary made for avgeeks like me.
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Thunderbirds T-33 Shooting Star
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F-22 Footage courtesy of Lockheed Martin:
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What if the thunderbirds had a b 2
That would be cool
It's my idea
I mean, if the purpose of the Thunder Birds is to inspire people to join the USAF, then I can't imagine seeing anything more inspiring than seeing six 6 F-22's simultaneously all recover out of flat spins in perfect sync.
i dreamed of joining AF but eye problems started to occur so i lost hope and dropped out of the dream
edit: reason of dreaming was because my dad has a degree for aeronautic engineering and most of my toys that i luckily still own today are aviation related, and back when i was still a child use to pretend im flying an aircraft, plus i got my first plane ride when i was 1 yo
Hell ya!
I'd like to see other red-white-blue color configurations
@@deathsquadron3311 It has always been my dream to fly fighters, but am colorblind, and on top of that have vision problems. The eyesight could be fixed with LASIC, but colorblindness couldn't. 😭
@@deathsquadron3311 actually you could get surgery so that you can still join its never too late
Had to watch this, being I see them every so often, living by the AF Academy.
Can you imagine a F-22 Raptor show, using Thrust Vectoring? It would literally look like a dance in the sky!
just watch the "Russian Knights" ;-)
@@xyzaero9656 Only if Svetlana Kapanina is leading them. She floats my boat- probably make me toss my cookies too...
...where at near academy... ...i used to live right by bates elementary school... ...
@@rickrickard2788 F-22's are way too expensive to use as Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds are more like show planes than fighter jets. Maybe in 30 or 40 years from now when the F-16 is long retired and something more advanced came along to replace F-22. Then I could see that F-22s being used as Thunderbirds!
I wish more f 22 had been made
why? they will never be used in the role? 20 would be enugh. or better spend the mony on pepole :)
@@anno-fw7xn ok but the number we have actually limits the uses as we cant aford to lose one like we can with f 15 not one in price but as the plants have been shut down we cant just buy moee
@@anno-fw7xn troll?
WOW, the T-Birds flew the very very rare "hard wing" F-4E (same wing as the Japanese F-4EJ) without maneuvering slats on the wing leading edge. I never noticed that before.
Uhhh, more of that please and thank you. And if that could be the case, couldn't the Navy just as easily switch over to the Lightning II's? Wouldn't that be a great next vid. Please and thank you.
@@erikerice9068 the navy actually could transition to the F-35, since the Blue Angels and T-Birds only get old, fucked up and obsolete airframes for their team. The very first F-35s are up for retirement very soon, so there actually is no real obstacle for switching to the F-35. Actually there are 2 points, the navy just switched to the Super Hornet a year ago and there is no F-35 two seater and the two seater is a very important "part" of the demonstration team.
same for the Blue Angles
@Destroy all Soy No you are wrong. The Blue Angles switched to the Super Bug in November 2020!
@@erikerice9068why would the blue angels or T-birds want the F-35? Almost any 4 gen fighter is better for aerovatics.
F-22 is a different story.
My dad was a master Sargent in the USAF . And flight line chief at Battle Creek, Michigan's Air National Guard base there . The Air Force "THUNDERBIRDS " appeared there during a yearly air show . I was privileged to be with my dad who got special permission from the commander for me to go into the hanger to see the F16 fighter jets of the "THUNDERBIRDS " ! ! was raised with the USAF . I loved it and still do . I was awestruck to be so close to these magnificent aircraft . I took one finger and touched the nose of one ! . . I still feel the thrill of that special time with my dad , who is now retired after 31 years of service to our country . Since 9/11 no civillian will ever be able to get that close to one of these angels of the sky ! ! Thanks dad , you did us proud ! ! . . . 🇺🇸
side fact: the thunderbirds do ocasionally go to an island in the pacific...........called Tracy island
FIVE
@@jamesmurphy3290 THREE
@@jamesmurphy3290 ONE
@@lt.x-02s-wyvern25 THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO!!!
@@jamesmurphy3290 Thunderbirds are GO
Once the 6th generations jets coming into active service I suspect the F-22 will move over into Thunderbird Service. It would be a great recruitment tool when people see what vectored thrust can do for demonstration flights.
I'd say either the F-22 gets moved over to T-birds, or the F-35 gets put in. I don't know though, they might not do either one, because of the cost to maintain.
@@caleblarsen5490
We won't see the F-35 anytime soon. The soli demo team was ordered to greatly reduce the number of shows
You'll see the T-7a before the F-35 as a thunderbird...
most cities and towns won't allow it ... that damn thing is loud .... the Harrier used to be the loudest in the inventory .... it's not anymore ... "KAREN" would complain too much about the sound level of 6 of them screaming overhead ....
@@caleblarsen5490 F-35 will never be a Thunderbird .... for the foreseeable future, it will remain the F-16 ... The idea was floated for the F-15 but was quickly tabled because of fuel use.
My first T-Birds show was with F-4s in the mid 70's. Since, I've seen them fly the T-38 and F-16. As much as I love the F-16. The F4, it's size, presents (noise) remain the most impressive. An F-22 team would be mind blowing.
Great historical facts Tog. 👍 (I wish they'd make a Hand Salute icon) Bravo Zulu!
Thank you Scott much appreciated and the Blue Angels are next!
No to the hand salute , probably considered too offensive, intimidating somehow, it reeks of toxic masculinity to some. Jk I second your response and I too wish they had a hand salute.
@@danaclark2128 Thanks Dana. I fear you are all too correct. Those of us that have been there know the respect. Those who have not served, yet appreciate and understand. Thank you. Those who don't get it...(expletive phrase not included).
F-22 looks great in that paint. I have models of all Thunderbirds except F105. What I heard from pilots while working F4 about fuel consumption is “ from engine start to gear up the 500 gallon centerline tank is empty.”
Thanks for commenting - 500 gallons to taxi and takeoff - wow!
Fuel consumption of the J-79s was the main reason Canada bought the F/A-18 Hornets instead of taking on 2nd hand F-4 Phantom IIs that they were offered.
@@Chuck59ish did not know that - thanks for commenting!
@@PilotPhotog Canada had the CF-104 Starfighter in Europe and with the 2 tip tanks, 2 under wing and a centerline tank, they could barely make 1 hour of flying time, they guzzled so much fuel.
@@Chuck59ish F-22's are way too expensive to use as Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds are more like show planes than fighter jets. Maybe in 30 or 40 years from now when the F-16 is long retired and something more advanced came along to replace F-22. Then I could see that F-22s being used as Thunderbirds!
After that paint job, the Raptor looks every bit as gorgeous as the Eagle and the Tomcat !
Thank you it was many hours in photoshop!
An F-22 Thunderbirds would be glorious. Prob won’t happen for many reasons but still glorious.
When I was in elementry school, if the teachers had the windows open, we could hear the F-4 Phantoms at the range. I remember watching them train. The sound of power. Wow. Seems like yesterday. Then, the F-16's showed up years later. I remember hearing them taxi around, thinking, really, then they hit the gas to take off- talk about loud. The ole Viper sneaks around on the ground, by the time you hear one in the sky, it's way too late. I've been lucky to see the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels. The Blues still flew the A-4 when I first saw them.
Love the F-16, but who wouldn't want to see them as the F-22!!??
Seeing your F-22 Thunderbirds livery reminds me of Phoenix squadron from Ace Combat
Yay, this had my interest
That gold cockpit really pops with the Thunder Bird coloration, damn
Great video! I honestly think that, when the time eventually comes to retire the F-16's, they'll transition to either the F-35A or the T-7A. But that'll be years and years away. F-22's would be soooo amazing though!!!!
I think I heard somewhere air force is planning to keep falcon in service til 2070 or some crazy number like that
I’ve often wondered about them switching to F-22’s as well, thanks for making it a “virtual” reality…..fantastic video!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Going to a thunderbirds airshow to see squadron of raptors in their livery would be an amazing experience
Great idea Photog. Nice art on those F-22s.
I was sorry the F-105 never worked out as a demo.
One of my favorite aircraft.
All of the existing Lockheed-Martin F-22's will be undergoing upgrades over the next several years with a $10B upgrade contract issued last week.
I definitely see the Thunderbird's Flying F-22's!
I love the T Birds, whatever type. I’m absolutely down with Raptors. Outstanding!!
Watching an F4 takeoff with afterburner at night at Carswell AFB in Fort Worth, Texas is something I still vividly remember some 35 years later. Also weekend mornings when we were outside, they would come south from the AFB almost to our neighborhood and then turn west and punch it - incredible sounds. Also remember B52s cruising over my neighborhood headed north on final approach to Carswell.
I've watched them as a kid in '91 in Dęblin, Poland - still got the thrill when thinking about it. Thanks and best regards, Michal.
Thanks Tog and Togdog.
Thanks for commenting! Tog Dog says woof!
First time I saw the Thunderbirds was the F-100s - it was awesome- seeing them fly by low- NO SOUND- then the boom and the sound catches up- amazing. Liked the F-4 the best- it's an amazing plane- a BEAST
T-Birds would change the air show game with raptors. The Blues would be in trouble.
The F-16, it's the one I've seen. Cool video Juan, thanks.
They put on an amazing show, thank you for commenting as always Juan!
Although the F-22 would be awesome to see as a Thunderbird, in reality the cost per flight hour to maintain them would be too expensive.
True but maybe a streamlined version without the RAM Coating and advanced avionics
@@PilotPhotog
I don't disagree. A downgraded version of the F-22 or even a plane that just looks like it could be a solution. These planes would only be used for air shows, parades, national holidays, and recruitment and not stealthyand highly dangerous missions. That could significantly reduce the cost per flight hour.
As long as it can give a good acrobatic show and give the crowd a good sonic boom, then you should be set.
I’ve always thought the Blue Angels’ F-4 was the prettiest air show bird with all the lovely chrome…!
An F-22 Raptor Thunderbird Demonstration Team! That would be very awesome!
I saw the Thunderbirds in Macon GA in the summer of 1996. A memory that will fly with me for life. Haven't been the same since with fascination with aircraft.
You got bit by the aviation bug - it never goes away, I still look up to see what airplane is flying overhead when I am out and about. Thanks for commenting!
The F-22, particularly in afterburner, is LOUD! I cannot even imagine six of them flying low level at the same time. Foam ear plugs would be the #1 selling item at the souvenir stand. I think the next bird will be the T-7A Red Hawk.
F-100C was the first aircraft I saw the Thunderbirds fly. If the T-Birds did switch to the F-22, they would need another type with a two seat version.
F-100s must have been amazing!
The first and the last time I saw Thunderbirds performing live was at the 1986 Indonesian Air Show, that was once in a lifetime experience for me... sooo amazing...
Favorite Jet? The A-4. Navy don't have pilots, they have Aviators. F-22's would be cool to see but instead of oil prices being a problem like the F-4's (which I got to see the Thunderbirds fly) it'd be a per unit price that makes it unfeasible. Back when they were using just frontline fighters they were cranking planes out like they couldn't stop. Now, you're lucky enough to get a couple extra spares after they figure out how many they need for missions and some demo planes for customers. Navy is finally going to Superhornets but they're not going to the much costlier F-35. The F-16 and the 18 both give a great display for the price tag and a supercruising aircraft wastes it's time crawling around an airshow sky though it can do a fantastic job at that. The Canadian team flies their trainers with Civy pilots at a fraction of our costs and put on a fantastic display with 7 formation aircraft and two opposing. The fancy thrust vectoring flights, falling leafs and such the 22 is capable of would be limited to the solo pilots the formation flights would be limited to pretty much the same routine which eats up the sky as is. At that point, and the cost, it would just pay to have current planes and have an F-22 performance pilot which the lucky airshows get. Wouldn't hurt to see it in Thunderbird colors though.
That paint scheme on the F-22A looks sharp but I wouldn’t want to lose any due to accidents. Maybe after it’s replacement arrives.
A cheaper f22 without the amazing avionics and paint but still has the aerodynamics and thrust vectoring.
man the F-22 maneuverability would be insane
I have seen the Thunderbirds many times at the salinas airshow it always cool to see them the raptor as a Thunderbird that really would have been awesome to see.
I grew up near Griffiss Air Base in New York in the 80s and 90s. Saw them their when I was a kid. Amazing show. 👏 Everyone should go see them if they have the chance.
F22 Thunderbirds would've been SO cool. We really missed out on all those jets :(
love the idea, love the video. 1 major issue. Switching to the Raptors would cause the team to go bankrupt. It costs a lot of money to have the Thunderbirds flying. Yes it would be cool. However that would cost money that I don't think the air force has to spend.
The sleek F-100's and F-16's are my favorites of all time. Hope that the latter stays on for a while. Go USA from Canada.
Okay, believe it or don't... true story. In 1995, the Birds performed at a giant air show for the opening of Denver International Airport. I'm in the broadcasting biz, so I got a media pass, which was all-access. Got there very early and walked past their jets. Zero security on hand. I went down the line, gently touching the nose of each plane. I didn't get a media ride, but that was thrill enough :) Thanks for this cool vid!
I’ve seen the thunderbirds once here in Washington at the fort Lewis joint McChord base and I gotta say they are truly an amazing thing to see
Indeed, it's amazing the airmanship they display at low altitude.
Imagine in a few years and the Thunder Birds doing airshows with F-35s
F-35s for the Thunderbirds might be interesting.
A cobra formation? Holy crap
Instead of the Thunderbirds, this new group would be nicknamed Starscreamers
I would like to see the USAF THUNDERBIRDS painted on the USAF F-22A raptors
Hell yeah f 22 thunder Bird 🐦 all day yes love to see that
I remember wings over houston back in October. While in the signature booth an f-15 dashed overhead I swear it sounded like the roadrunner doing a rocketing pass by
It would have been glorious!
F22 thunderbird.
Super hot 🔥
Be cool to see f23 concept too.
Would been so cool to have the them in the F4 I’m from a navy town so so in old enough to remember blue angels in phantoms and A-4s(my favorite) but never got to see thunderbirds in phantoms
Very interesante Ilike the idea Thunderbirds in F-22 that could be excellent
Indeed!
I think flight cost per hour budget would need to grow exponentially.
Raptor’birds would be incredible , but only if the USAF bought the 700 planes originally requested. It would be a very expensive display to fly them as often as the Vipers… and the RAM doesn’t work in white, red and blue. Wish I could’ve seen the F-4s or even better … the F-100 go supersonic !!
I would liked to see them in f23s. That would be epic!!!
This really needs to be a DLC paint scheme for Ace Combat 07!
If I could figure out a way to donate it I would, thanks for commenting!
@@PilotPhotog absolutely! Maybe Namco/Bandai or Project Aces has an option or can point you in the right direction.
Perhaps an airshow version of the F22 with no fancy electronics, no weapons support and perhaps it would be possible to do a version with no stealth coating. That would remove huge costs in construction since these features are not needed. I was in the USAF 1976 at MacDill AFB when they showed up. I worked at the sound suppressor at the far end of the field and was on top when they did a flyby. Not close to touch but close to feel the heat and smell the smells as they screamed past. It was so quick that really I don't remember the sounds.
T-38's as I used to work on them in the early 80's before the the crash...
You forgot about the predecessors to the Thunderbirds, called The Skyblazers flying F-86 Sabers. Also the team is considering the F-36 Kingsnake.
It would be great to see that. Or maybe they can get the YF33.
Man, those colors just look 'Right' on the Raptor.
Tailslides and pedal turns. An F-22 in Thunderbird colors.
I have heard of talks about them using the F-22 for the Blue Angels and cutting the Super Hornet early due too heavy maintenance and uncomfortability for the pilots.
ONLY A RUMOR
I love the F-22 look, but I'm being realistic. The next Thunderbird plane will likely be the T-7 Red Hawk.
That’s an excellent point and thanks for commenting
I would have LOVED to se the F-4s as BOTH TEAMS That must have been the Hight of the Blues And the Birds !
Love to see a more aggressive paint scheme (something maybe 3D and holographic) - really really bad Ass . Very cool so far thanks for the effort and time.
Thank you! I tried to keep the scheme consistent with previous Thunderbirds
I. Like. To. See. The. Old. School. Way. The. T38. That’s. My. Best. One. To. See. Come. Back.
The Raptor would have been awesome. I believe the Thunderbirds next ride will be the T-7A Redhawk.
I haven't seen colorful paint on a stealth aircraft. Wouldn't that prevent it's RAM from working? Perhaps older airframes that were going OOS anyway could be used. If there was a time it could happen, it would be now.
One can only imagine a F22 Thunderbird Demo Team , but damn . With the F22s raw power and T/W ratio , the extreme maneuverability and just the mind-boggling sight of the Raptor in Thunderbird colors , that would be absolutely AWESOME . But , I guess we will continue to enjoy the F16 . You do great videos bro , you definitely have a helluva knack for it . I've been an airplane geek since I was a youngster . There are about two dozen or so ( military ) aircraft , fixed and rotary wing , that I can identify by sound . Yep , I'm a big old airplane geek . Keep up the great work bro , I always look forward to your next video endeavor , and , I haven't seen one yet that I didn't like . PS , would you consider doing a video on the XB70 Valkyrie ? That was an AWESOME bomber concept for the mid-1960s . 😊🇺🇸👍
Thank you Duncan, I really appreciate your comment. Yes I am planning a video about the XB-70 I've always been fascinated by the Valkyrie and want to do the video justice.
@@PilotPhotog , that's awesome ! I can't wait 🇺🇸👍
I am lucky I live near Nellis AFB and I get to see them practice all the time
F-16A/B and F-16C/D are both important.
That would be amazing, but since they are so limited in number we need them all for air dominance and deterrence.
The only thing to compare this to would be the SU-37, but with a well trained team, it would be epic. The thought is just mind bending. My very first plane model was a Thunderbirds F-4E Phantom. I still have it. I thoroughly enjoy your work and can't wait for more. Cheers.
Thank you Ben, I wish I had some of my early Revell and Monogram models - I may sneak a model building video into this channel...I've got to YF-23 Kits that I want to build.
@@PilotPhotog that would be so cool, maybe a short q and a while you do it, easier than playing a video game, like last time.
@@benwelch4076 I think you may be on to something
Weird thing is, I don’t even remember T-38s. I’ve lived by Edwards AFB for 44 years lol
Isn't the numeral on the Lead Solo supposed to be inverted?
Blue angles next with a what if with the f-14?
Working on it, thanks for commenting! !
I've been watching Thunderbird demonstrations since they flew the North American F-100C/D Super Sabre and of all these jets they flown I'd say my favorite would be the F-16C/D Fighting Falcon. Still it would be awesome to see them in the F-22A Raptor but we all know that won't happen. So instead I would like to see them perhaps in the F-35A Lightning II or maybe even going back to a trainer, the new T-7A Redhawk
I always thought it'd be sweet if the Thunderbirds flew the F-15.
Same!!
That would be awesome if the thunder birds got the f22
Nope. The next Thunderbird aircraft will likely be either the T-7A (assuming it achieves operational capability) or the F-35, representing an actual warplane.
You should do one for the blue angles
Working on it, thanks for commenting!
I have heard an F4 fly, so I do understand. I can't imagine the F22 as the thunderbirds. The maneuvers that they show you are only the ones we're allowed to see. I can't even imagine the moves they can do we DON'T know about.
The F-4 has a distinct sound just like the P-51 does - you know it without even seeing the aircraft. I just saw the Raptor demo team and was blown away - thanks for commenting!
I think F-35 would be the sensicle choice? F-35 doesn't have thrust vectoring. Formation flight extremely close wouldn't be an easy feat with thrust vectoring?
Great T-birds vid! You are going to do the a Blue Angels vid right?! PLEASE
That's the plan!
@@PilotPhotog THANKYOU
AC7 actually has a skin for the F22 that resembles the livery of the Thunderbirds
I've always wondered why we never saw the F-15 as the Thunderbirds' mount. Maybe it was a cost thing.
Easily their best aircraft is the F-16. Though the F-100 and T-38 also look quite nice in those paint-schemes.
I could see either the F-36 Kingsnake or the T-7 Red Hawk being their future choice. The former being the potential replacement for the F-16 in general and the later being closer in spirit to the T-38.
F-22s would be prohibitively to expensive to use for such a thing.
Very likely but a fun thought experiment nonetheless and I enjoyed making up the livery for the Raptors on the 3D model. Thanks for commenting
Yeah but if built in the originally numbers it would have been easier to operate and buy
Maybe when more of the Raptor's are retired sadly... when there is probably only 50-80 in service we might be able to see the Thunderbirds fly F-22's
'TOG!!'
Another Superior video and narration, and "What If..." idea.
I saw the Thunderbirds as a young kid, in March AFB flying F-4 Phantoms, though I was a Navy kid, I was TOTALLY Impressed with them after seeing ( and Just as impressive ) Blue Angels which were ALSO flying F-4 Phantoms!! I saw both Teams move over to the newer A/C of Talons (T-Birds) and Skyhawks (B-Angels).
But I have Let to see both Teams with newer Vipers & Hornets, until they BOTH Performed (sorta) for 1st Responders during Pandemic 2020P!!
My Fav..... I would say the F-4's!! BUT I have a question for you............Why was the #4 machine for the T-Birds, its tail painted Black?? THAT is what I want to know.
Again, Thanks for the posting....SUPERIOR work "Tog-Dog"!!!
Thanks for the comment and glad you enjoyed the video! I actually thought about mentioning the #4 aircraft's tail being painted black and now I wish I had: My understanding is that the F-4s engines produced so much smoke that the #4 jet's tail would get covered in soot, so they just painted the tail black. Now you know!
@@PilotPhotog that makes since. The F4g I worked on was said to have “smokeless” engines. But I have seen German and Turkish F-4 that smoke like crazy!
@@PilotPhotog It wasnt painted black... they just stopped cleaning the soot off after every flight and alowed it to build up ...
4:00 wow I never heard about this.
Great video. I have only seen them in the Falcons as I was born in 83. It would be cool to see them upgrade to a new plane. I think the F-35 would be a better fit for the team. I can see both Tbirds and Angles using the F-35 at the same time. It would only take one of them switching for the other team to get jealous and also switch. But with the differences in the air force's F-35 and the Navy's the two shows would be very different from each other. I liked your f-22 paint design but you need to flip the 5 around on #5.
Nice, but I’d prefer to see the F-35 as the next T-Bird.
it's gonna be expensive using F-22 ?? nice to see one that's not painted grey!
if there is an F-22 thunderbird, there should also be a F-35C Blue Angel👌😍 that would be cool. make a videi about it, dude🤩
I'm working on the Blue Angels video now, thanks for commenting!