"Thomas Schoene" wrote in message link.net...
"dave999" wrote in message
news:bmrib.62784$gv5.62676@fed1read05
Please email as well as post if possible!

Because the opposing solo pilot (Thunderbird Six) is still on flight
restriction pending the outcome of the investigation of the crash on 14
September, and there's no one else up to the required skill level to step
in.

The Thunderbirds were formed as a 4 aircraft team in 1953. The spare
was just that, a pilot and plane to fill in if one of the diamond
aircraft was unable to perform. But with the great maintaince on the
aircraft it was soon realised that the "spare" was not needed, and the
idea was born to use the spare as a solo max performance aircraft. At
first the solo warmed up the croud then the diamond would fly what was
one big 12 minute manuver in front of the croud. With the move to the
F-84F the solo manuvers were interspaced between diamond passes. The
second solo was added in 1962 through 1968, In 1969 the team moved to
the F-4e and reverted to a 5 aircraft demo team. In 1976 (T-38's) the
second solo was added for the year for America's bicentenial. The
second solo was permantly reinstated in 1979. So the Thunderbirds as a
5 aircraft team is not at all unique in their history.