Posted on 11/06/2006 11:13:02 AM PST by lizol
First two Polish F-16 arrive in Poland
November 6, 2006 (by Lieven Dewitte) - Tomorrow is the begining of new era in Polish Air Force as the first two Polish F-16 are expected to arrive at Poznan-Krzesiny, the 31st air base.
On Thursday November 9th, another two aircraft will arrive. On that day the official ceremony will take place.
The aircraft join a fleet of more than 4,300 F-16s operated by 24 air forces around the world.
A total of eight F-16s are due to be delivered to Poland before the end of this year. They are part of a 48-aircraft (36 F-16Cs and 12 F-16Ds) order by the Government of Poland.
There will be three squadrons: 3 ELT "Poznan" - based at Poznan-Krzesiny 6 ELT - based at Poznan-Krzesiny 10 ELT - based at Lask
The first Polish F-16 (#4040) took the sky for its maiden flight on March 14, 2006.
*closes curtains for privacy* Soo beautiful!
If anyone deserves it, they do.
Nice pics.
Are these new F-16s? Didn't know they were still being produced. Also, one wonders what the Poles were flying before this if they're adopting a fighter that first went into service in 1982. Me109s?
Does the PAF have mid-air refueling capability...?
The insignia looks like it's sponsored by Ralston-Purina.
Basic aircraft aerodynamics hasn't changed in 25 years. These babies are all new under the hood.
If they actually had some flyable 109s, they could sell them for enough money to pay for the F-16s.
"Also, one wonders what the Poles were flying before this if they're adopting a fighter that first went into service in 1982. Me109s?"
Mig-29s among other types.
http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/poland/polaf2.htm
Look at those birds fly...
I still can't get that Ralston-Purina symbol out of my head when I see their wing/stabilizer emblems. Coulda been a red/white circle with the eagle or just the eagle.
A number of MiG-29 Fulcrums, but it looks like mainly Su-22 Fitters, which are tending toward obsolete. I think the Libyan aircraft that were shot down over the Gulf of Sirte by American Tomcats were Su-22s.
The MiGs are first-rate, though, comparable to the F-16. It's kind of strange to realize that twenty years ago these two types were built to kill each other, now they're serving side-by-side more and more around the world.
}:-)4
Looks like they had an assortment of older MiGs.
I don't know why they just didn't go with white over red like their flag.
Take a closer look at that last picture. Despite the similar size & paint scheme, you'll notice that the nearer aircraft is a MiG-29.
Great pics but I think the one with 2 F-16s is photoshopped.
Out with the Soviet crap, in with the Lockheed birds...a great day for a great country.
"Great pics but I think the one with 2 F-16s is photoshopped."
It is. Good eye.
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