Spads show special markings
The 457th Tactical Fighter Squadron (457th TFS) "Spads" history goes back to 1944 and was inactivated and activated through the years.
From 1972, the squadrons' tradition remained uninterrupted when the squadron started to fly with the F-105 Thunderchief. In 1981, the Spads swapped to F-4D Phantom II, converted to the more modern F-4E in 1987 and eventually to the Lockheed F-16A/B Fighting Falcon in December 1990.
The latter became F-16C/D in 1996. On 1 February 1992 the squadron's designation changed from Tactical Fighter Squadron to Fighter Squadron.
The 457th, of the Air Force Reserve Command, used 'TF' tail codes, but that changed after the 704th TFS of the AFRes stopped flying the F-16 in 1996. The Spads then adopted their Texas 'TX' tailcode.
The Spads are based at NAS JRB Fort Worth (TX) and showed just recently this marvelous looking F-16C/D in 75th anniversary colours, which should normally have occurred in 2019. On the tail is the squadron lineage visible, starting from top to bottom with the North American P-51 Mustang (1944–1945), the Republic F-84 Thunderjet (1953–1957), the North American F-100 Super Sabre (1957–1958), the Republic F-105 Thunderchief (1972–1982), the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II (1981–1991) and the General Dynamics / Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon (1990–present).
The jet got released from the paint shop in Waco (TX) on 4 November 2020, and returned to their home base at as Spad 91. The 457th FS is slated to transition to the F-35A Lightning II in 2023 which will mean the “Spads to the Bone” will see many more years of service.
Our regular contributor Sebastiaan Does provided Scramble Magazine with these great and exclusive pictures of F-16C 86-0246.