Posted on 03/04/2008 12:18:18 PM PST by BenLurkin
PALMDALE - The once top-secret Blackbirds on display in Palmdale have a new nest mate: the F-117A Nighthawk, also known as the stealth fighter. The dart-shaped aircraft, the fourth of its kind built and used solely for testing, was moved into display position Monday at Blackbird Airpark, taking its place beside other former "black" aircraft, the SR-71 and U-2.
"Look at how many black airplanes you can come see right here," said Fred Johnsen , curator of the Air Force Flight Test Center Museum, of which Blackbird Airpark is a satellite.
Escorted by members of the 410th Flight Test Squadron, the aircraft's home for its flying lifetime, the F-117 was towed from the squadron's facility at Air Force Plant 42 across the field to the airpark, at 25th Street East and Avenue P.
The move required coordination with Plant 42 officials, including the removal of parts of a couple of fences to get the aircraft securely within the airpark.
Once at the airpark, the plane was secured to a cement pad prepared in recent months for its arrival.
After the aircraft was retired March 28 , members of the 410th Flight Test Squadron volunteered to prepare it for public display.
The refurbishment took seven months, said Chief Master Sgt. Dave Johnson of the 410th.
Volunteers, from the squadron commander on down, worked on the extensive project, led by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Kent and Tech. Sgt. Bill Ball.
The aircraft was carefully stripped of its military hardware, including large portions which still are considered classified, and refurbished to its original appearance.
They removed such hardware as the engines, tailpipes, radar-absorbing material on the skin, much of the nose and even the glass from the cockpit, Fred Johnsen said.
(Excerpt) Read more at avpress.com ...
"HIDING IN PLANE SIGHT - A retired F-117 stealth fighter arrived Monday for permanent display at Blackbird Airport in Palmdale. The dart-shaped aircraft, the fourth of its kind built, was moved into display position beside other former "black" aircraft, the SR-71 and the U-2." GENE BRECKNER/Valley Press
A wonderful example of American ingenuity. Almost seems like it’s too soon to retire it!!!
Just that single aircraft not the whole fleet of em right ?
: (
No, they’re gone-
Retired.
All to be retired by year’s end.
Just want to let everyone know that I am NOT retiring from posting!
Watching documentaries dedicated to intelligence or military excellence ha convinced me of something that should seem obvious:
Jewels like the SR-71 are never retired, unless there is a vastly improved model already operational...
The U.S. has *retired* aircraft like the SR-71 and F-117 that the rest of the world still can’t match...
We wouldn’t have retired it ......unless we have something else flying.
“One of my favorite PC video games was the F-117A Nighthawk by Microprose. The game actually came out just before the plane was publicly unveiled. The original name of the game was F-19, but was subsequently changed once the plane and it’s official name became public. Great game though.”
That was a good game....also F-15 Strike Eagle II.
And I’ll tell you exactly why too - because Wesley Clark failed to promptly obliterate the remains of the ONE F-117A that was shot down in combat...thus giving Russians access to the technology.
It’s no longer secret.
What are they being replaced with?..................
I suspect that there was a hidden flaw in the aircraft that only became known once they had built a few. This happens a lot when so much new technology is used all at once.
On the plus side, an operational aircraft that is flawed can result in a big jump in the science, because lots of people have to scrutinize the flaw, and the good ideas flow like water.
Ironically, it can often be better to have a failure or two in aircraft design because of the boost that gives to development.
:(
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