TBRDS

I'm a little behind, but a few weeks ago I made my first road trip (700 miles round-trip) with "TBRDS" on my new trailer to Tyndall Air Force Base for another Thunderbirds airshow.


Here's the rig underway:




Once we got unloaded at the base, there was a quick opportunity to pose with a new F-35 fighter:




The Thunderbirds six F-16's were in position, although the weather wasn't looking good:




Sure enough, the bottom fell out early in the day, after the car was in place in front of the USAF recruiting booth and the Rapid Strike simulator:





People got out of the rain by hiding in the port-a-potties:




After the rain ended the car began to attract a few lookers:




The six Thuderbird pilots were waiting to be introduced:




The pilots getting buckled in:





The Thunderbird #3 crew chief is a female Senior Airman:




All six birds in flight:




Thunderbirds hung out around the car to meet with fans:




"The Boss", Thunderbird #1 posing with fans:




After two days in the Florida sun (and rain), it was time to head home.




Right after this trip, we made a 1500 mile round-trip trailering "TBRDS" to the NCM Bash.

lancekl

Why don't you drive it?

Steve Garrett

Looks great, brother! That looks bad *** driving in!


How do the Thunderbirds pilots react to the car?

Vetteman Jack

Very cool car and quite the tribute to the USAF.

proexpert

Wow very nice, thanks for sharing.

Bob Paris

quote: The Thunderbird #3 crew chief in a female Senior Airman,

Talk about a Freudian slip...

OVERULD

I was a crew chief on F-4E Phantoms in the Air Force. It was tough duty but oh so much fun to be around those planes and pilots. I got a back seat ride in my plane which was over-the-top, without question, the highlight of my 4 years in the Air Force. For a Senior Airman to make it on the Thunderbird team is quite an accomplishment. She looks pretty squared away too. Congrats to her!

I saw your car at the bash and the Forum dinner, but never got a chance to introduce myself. Hope to see you at an air show sometime.

Anybody with a Night Race Blue C7 thought of doing the Blue Angels equivalent?

BJ

Bmbl-Bee

Love the Thunderbirds--car looks great

ben dover

Outstanding.

TBRDS

Thanks, guys! Sorry for the late response:

Good question! I do drive it locally for fun, but for now I consider it more of a show car, and am trying to keep it in like-new condition. It has a little over 3000 miles right now. But it now has over 7500 interstate miles riding on the trailer, and if I had driven it all of those miles, I think it would have sustained a bit of road wear. The trailer with air dam seems to protect it pretty well, although an enclosed trailer would be nice. (More about that in my next trip report.)

Thanks, Steven! They seem to get a kick out of it. The biggest positive response has been from the “Boss”, Thunderbird #1, and squadron commander. He jokes about it being his, since it has his number on it. There has been a lot of interest from the enlisted Thunderbirds troops, also!

WHOOPS! And I thought I proof read this before I posted. That was actually a Freudian typo!
The Thunderbird #3 crew chief IS a female Senior Airman.
I hope the Senior Airman will forgive me!

I agree with your comments about the Senior Airman, she is quite professional.

Sorry we didn’t meet at the Bash, but hopefully will at a show.

I only got two rides in the back seat of a T-33 at Homestead. (We did buzz Miami Beach!) I was supposed to get a ride in an F-104B model, but we lost it before I had the chance!

I look forward to pairing up with a Blue Angels C7!


I’ll be reporting on my most recent long trip to Thunderbirds headquarters soon!

Dudeurgettnavette

Awesome!