4 replies to this topic

[Pool Runner]

Ok so yesterday I saw a tan/ grey F-16 Fighting Falcon jet fly over Folsom around the lower Broadstone area about mid day. It appeared to have aux fuel tank pods mounted on the wings and was distinctively loud as it repositioned and headed toward what my guess was Mather for a touch-n-go.

The Jet I’m most interested In knowing more about or if anyone saw was the jet that flew over upper Broadstone at exactly 3:15ish today, this jet was the same size, shape and had a silhouette similar to a cross between an F-4 Phantom & F-111 Aardvark. Although smaller than an F-111 and closer to the size of say an F-15 or F-4. This jet also had aux fuel pods on the wings but was definitely not the same F-16 I noticed the day prior.
Only reason this strikes me as odd is that as far as I know all F-4 Phantoms & F-111’s have been decommissioned more than two decades ago at least. Also F-16’s to the best of my knowledge are not stored anywhere near us. There are also no known Air Shows that I can thank of from here to the bay area per se.
Oh and these where definitely not the normal black T-38 training jets that fly over daily from Beal AFB to Mather.
If anyone noticed the jet I saw today I would greatly appreciate clarification on what it was, as an airplane enthusiast it bugs me to no end that I didn’t know what it was.

[The Average Joe]

Only thing I could think of based on your description was a British tornado (also a sweep wing like the Aardvark). It has large horizontal tail surfaces like the f-4, and the wing could appear in many configurations. Also has dual inlets like the F4.

[Chris]

Been seeing those on and off for the last three years. I'm a big plane buff and even though I've gotten my binocs on them a few times I still can't for sure say what they are. I am thinking they are British Jaguars or European Alpha Jets........ I am leaning more towards Jaguar. I am sure they are from another countries air force over here to practice from time to time. Regards, Chris

http://en.wikipedia..../SEPECAT_Jaguar

http://www.vectorsite.net/avalpha.html

[Darth Lefty]

F-16 is very distinctive and still in service all over, no need to question that. Multicolor paint sounds like the 64th Aggressor squadron from Nellis.

B-1 bears a resemblance to an F-111 but it's huge, you're not likely to mistake it. F-14's look similar but not as blocky. They are out of commission too. I don't know if any are still flying, they were supposed to all end up on plinths.