Do these a/c have different sounds as far as engines go?

[greyseal494]

I picked up the F-16 today and was wondering if there really is any difference sound-wise between it and the F-15 for instance.

[Phantom309]

Yes and no, the biggest way to tell the difference is when the pilot turns on the JFS to start the motor(s). Those sounds are way different but once they are up and running all you really hear is intake whistle. You can kind of tell the difference because the 16 seems to have a higher pitched whistle than the 15. However, when they are flying back into the pattern and doing their mid field breaks you tell a difference in airplanes base on the intake noises. 

The F15 has an whistle to it that sounds like an eagle. The F22 has a howl, you hear when the pilot is messing with the throttle,, and the F35 is just obnoxiously loud but still recognizable. The F18 has distinct sound also. Hopefully this made sense, I never thought it would be this hard to put into words. In closing when they are starting, and when they are flying you can tell the difference