i was curious, why are F-16s under delivery flown under USAF markings? are they actually flown by USAF pilots until handed over to the delivery country?
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i was curious, why are F-16s under delivery flown under USAF markings? are they actually flown by USAF pilots until handed over to the delivery country?
Usually for foreign military sales, the company doesn't deal directly with the government involved, they sell them to the US government, who then completes the sale to the foreign government. I don't know if it is USAF pilots, or manufacturer pilots flying, but until they are delivered, they don't belong to the foreign government, so they will carry US markings - usually with the receiving air force's markings covered over. It can also help politically to have a "US" aircraft transit some countries, rather than one in the markings of the recipient.
Or imagine a foreign military fighter jet flying over the US and other countries enroute....MIGHT cause some trouble.
There's the first plane I worked on, although these newer models are much different. Amazing how they can keep cramming new stuff in these Jets to keep them relevant.