Old Viper Tester Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 Some shots of A-7D 69-6217 of the 6512th Test Squadron, 6510th Test Wing, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB, during a radar target mission in June 1992. The SLUFF was acting as a target and threat simulator for an F-16D radar test. Most of the mission was the two aircraft lining up at opposite ends of the test range - an area called Cords Road - and then flying towards each other at various speeds and altitudes. The A-7 would execute various briefed maneuvers or radiate ECM threat simulations. Typically the aircraft would merge and then fly through to the opposite ends of the area again - sort of like jousting - then repeat for as many events as the mission required. Sitting on the runway for takeoff. The A-7 would take off first fly the runway circuit and call the F-16 to take off such that they joined up immediately after the F-16 takeoff. This was to allow the A-7 to inspect the F-16 for any leaking fluids, open panels, landing gear completely up, etc. Once the A-7 called "Clean and dry" the two would separate to the ends of the test area and begin the radar jousting. After the radar testing we rejoined for some formation work while returning to base. the pod on the right wing is an ALQ-167 variant. I think it was referred to as the Bullwinkle pod. The pod under the left wing is an ALQ-188. Both the -167 and -188 are used for threat simulations. Thanks for looking, Sven 27 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giemme Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 The last two pics are so evocative! As if you took me up there flying with you Ciao Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 Thanks for posting... Love my Corsair’s in any form but these look good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 Lovely shots, the SLUFF looks good in that scheme! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Callahan Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 The Sluff rocks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 Wow! Nice tight 2-ship! Thanks for sharing these, Keith! Don't see all that many good A-7 photos, so thanks. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted March 9, 2020 Share Posted March 9, 2020 thanks for posting another story and interesting photos Sven. We haven't had one for a bit Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nev Posted March 15, 2020 Share Posted March 15, 2020 Wow, great pics of an aircraft I have never seen before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted March 15, 2020 Share Posted March 15, 2020 (edited) On 06/03/2020 at 13:31, F-32 said: Lovely shots, the SLUFF looks good in that scheme! What does the second 'F' stand for? EDIT: just Googled it. So when did SLUF become SLUFF? It was always the former back in the day (and the 'F' didn't stand for 'fellow' either) 😉 Edited March 15, 2020 by Sabrejet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Posted March 15, 2020 Share Posted March 15, 2020 Nice pictures and story Sven. That SLUF is very old 69-217 for the time the photo was taken. Regards Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldy Posted March 24, 2020 Share Posted March 24, 2020 Beautiful - love the SLUF in those colours. Cheers Malcolm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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