Does seem weird that the flare's above the wing, could be a perspective thing

But from the apparent angle, I'd expect the flare in a different position. And rather than the pixilation I tend to see in a digital zoom, seems a bit fuzzy. So, kinda wonder if it's a painting rather than a picture

 

Flares seem right to me. Behind the Raptor after he dropped them, trailing smoke on the right, moving left. I think they appear above due to the Raptors vector and perspective as you said.

To me, the Eagle appears closer to the camera by a little bit, so it seems like they haven't quite passed each other. If he's going to keep going left, he needs to get that lift vector below the Raptor pretty quick. Maybe he's already rolling right for the reversal.

I'd just like to know how it was taken if it is real.

 

Maybe #2 is holding a camera up to the "Eagle-Eye" hunting scope thingie they duct tape to the side of the HUD to get long-range tallies (after he went blind staring in the drool bucket for hours when lead gave him the sort call....)

 

Could be wrong, but I think I might sense a little agenda here, John.

Back in the days before Raptors, this was common amongst many Fighting Falcon ground attack pilots who got their second choice out of UPT.

Now I guess it's the third choice as long as Kadena and Lakenheath keep flying Eagles. Better luck next time.

 

Dude, that's hilarious! I really miss the back and forth of Eagle and Viper guys, and OF COURSE I'm stirring the pot, that's what we do!

But, seriously? Why would ANYONE want to fly some huge Pterydactyl that only does one mission? And, Fighting Falcon? Really? Come on brother, that's worse than calling us tanker toads. That one hurt.

 

Maybe 104:0 kill-loss ratio answers your question?

So, is Falcon toad better? I've always said the two best uses of that jet are painted pretty and at Nellis, i.e., Thunderbirds and Aggressors!

 

Nothing better (except doing the job of course). I do remember a momentary hiatus to the Eagle/Viper rivalry while flying out of Incirlik during the first Gulf War with the TJ F-16s. For about 45 glorious days we (they) rained destruction on the Iraqis, we killed a few MiGs and all was right in the USAF.

One mission? Dude, have you seen an Eagle mission planning session during Red Flag. One INS point - a time to be there and oh... BTW we'll be in a couple of 4-ship walls for the push. Our reset caps are here and here. Tell us when the last guy is on his way home. Questions? The only reason I didn't make it to the 25 club and the Mirage sooner every night was your guy's coordination sessions (DMPIs? WTH are those? Holy crap, their INS coordinates go to 3 decimals).

Most everyone was dead by the time they could see us anyway, so the Pterydactyl thing really wasn't a big problem . Also, you gotta think long term for addition Pterydactyl benefits. At the 20 year point in the Guard, staying visual was wayyyy easier in the Eagle. I usually avoided anything longer than a 6K BFM setup with a Viper 'cuz you guys were so tiny. Had to call a Fox-2 at the "turn in, fight's on" during high aspect so the little guy would flare and I could get a tally again.

Cheers.

 

Everything Adler said.

Plus: it says the F-22 was from Hickam, and the Eagle was from Barnes. The fight was conducted in Malaysia. That is one HELLUVA long way to go to do BFM. So, I think there might have been an agenda.

Maybe, set-up a specially-equipped camera Eagle in trail to take some publicity shots, so the Barnes Boys can tell their Senators "Look what it did to us; we need Guard F-22s. And if we get those, you sure wouldn't want to close down our unit..."

I'm wondering if the F-22 ejects flares laterally so as to draw infrared seekers away from the engines, instead of just letting them fall in trail. That would explain the "upward" perspective.

I have no doubt the shot is real. I just think it might have been staged.

 

Just glad I got to fly manned fighters and not drones. Loved taking the Eagle around the world. Would have fought anyone, anywhere. That said, since 1991 and the end of the Gulf War, its been a quiet business. Dropping some hate on haters probably has its own satisfaction, too….or strafing. I (ahem) know a few guys on these boards who hit the pickle button and got to get a kill…alas I was not one of them...

 

Yup, know him too! He posted very close to you. The ABC called, they're still looking for their $$$. LOL!