In 1982, the Thunderbirds suffered a. Catastrophic loss during pre-season training. While practicing the four-plane diamond loop, the formation impacted the ground at high speed, instantly killing all four pilots: Major Norman L. Lowry (commander/leader), Captain Willie Mays, Captain Joseph N. “Pete” Peterson, and Captain Mark Melancon. The cause of the crash was determined by the USAF to be the result of a mechanical problem with the #1 aircraft’s control stick actuator. This resulted in insufficient back pressure by the formation leader on the T-38 control stick during the loop. Visually cueing off of the lead aircraft during formation maneuvering, the wing and slot pilots disregarded their positions relative to the ground. The team’s activities were suspended for six months pending investigation of the crashes and review of the program, then reinstituted using the General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon. They upgraded to the F-16C now produced by Lockheed Martin. The F-16 has been the aerial demonstration aircraft for the Thunderbirds for 30 years. In 1986, the Thunderbirds did a fly-by for the re-dedication of the Statue of Liberty. In New York City. They also performed the first American military demonstration in a communist country when the team visited Beijing, China in 1987. Their 3,000th air show was performed in 1990, and in 1991 the team went overseas to perform air shows in Switzerland, Poland and Hungary. The team traveled abroad again in 1996, visiting Romania, Bulgaria and Slovenia. Also in 1996, the team participated in the Atlanta Olympics. Patch is from 1985 Season when they were flying F-16A. The item “Authentic Air Force USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, Thunderbirds, F-16″ is in sale since Tuesday, June 06, 2017. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\1976-89\Original Period Items”. The seller is “zeustinker” and is located in Marietta, Georgia. This item can be shipped worldwide.