Warbird Information Exchange

I still have the huge 1/32 scale version of that kit, unbuilt, in its original box, with the included "bonus" paint set. Hmmm, maybe some day it'll be worth some money. Right now, it just takes up a LOT of space on one of my closet shelves!

Cheers!

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

According to Ben Rich's book, Lockheed took a lot of heat over this model. Supposedly people in DC thought Testors were churning out the actual stealth models and Congress was pissed at Lockheed for letting the design get out.

I think this is part of the Air Forces plan on trying to get there $137 Billion from the government they want on making more advanced aircraft. You know i dont really see why they are letting it go. They have been using the B-52 forever why can't they use the F-117 the same way?

This is true. My point above was simply to illustrate how expensive it is for the Air Force to maintain the F-117. Even if they were to let the "stealth" aspect lapse, it would still be a HUGE operating cost for the Air Force. People don't understand how expensive it is to keep a unique national asset in operation. As an example, the SR-71, when it was operational, cost the Air Force over $ 100,000 an hour to operate when ALL expenses were included. I don't know what it is on the F-117, it's probably still classified. But I'm sure it is still very expensive.

I don't think it would do the Air Force that much good to keep it around for PR purposes. Have you ever seen the Stealth in it's airshow routine? It does not even do aerobatics or anything really "cool". It just does a few mostly level passes at various speeds and configurations. Even when it is hauling ass on a flyby, it's still very quiet. Now compare that against the F-22. The first time I saw the F-22 perform, I nearly soiled my shorts from disbelief over it's capabilities. Which airplane do you think the general public would respond to more favorably - a "boring, mostly level, quiet" flyby of the Stealth, or a high-speed, high G, loud, awe-inspiring aerobatic routine of the F-22?

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"Hindsight is usually 20% off!"

Warbird...Gotta' agree with you re: the "excitement" factor of the 117. Compared to almost anything else at an airshow, it's pretty boring. Almost as boring as the Tora, Tora, Tora routine.

Mudge the stirrer

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Land of the free because of the brave

"It's Tora! Tora! Tora! and you are there!"



"It's Tora! Tora! Tora! and you are there!"



"It's Tora! Tora! Tora! and you are there!"

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"So there I was, knee deep in a river I couldn't pronounce..."

Ok, I was just funnin'.

My hat's off to those guys who put together those shows. I always love to watch the little ones in their rapt amazement with all of the various planes flying around, the noise and explosions. Sometimes it takes me back to when I was a little one and how it sparked my interest in Warbirds.

Mike

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"So there I was, knee deep in a river I couldn't pronounce..."

Well they haven't been around as long as the BUFF certainly but the design has been in use for well over 20 years.

Someone noted, Rick I believe, that the -117 is being replaced with the F-22. Nope-different critters. The -117 was basically an attack aircraft, not a "real" fighter. The F-22 was supposed to be the replacement for the F-15C (Randy will correct me if'n I'm wrong on that'n), except in ANG service.

The final resting place of the -117s is supposed to be Groom Lake - Tonopah AFS was mentioned at one time, since they have the covered parking areas - noone could see what happened to them there.

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Bob

At first it wasn't considered a replacement for the 117 but I think the combined benefits of stealth, speed, altitude and flexibility made it an easy choice for the Air Force to save money by retiring the 117 and using the F-22.
Right now the F-22 can carry 2 1000lb GBU-38 JDAMS or 8 GBU-39/B SDB's. Last year they demonstrated that it could drop a 1000-pound JDAM bomb at Mach 1.5. The bomb glided 24 nautical miles from 50,000 feet and scored a direct hit.

Mike

Old SAR, the F-117 guys at Holloman are slotted to receive F-22s.

Sounds like a replacement to me.

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"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass..."
Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto

I think there next as soon as the 90th get's all their aircraft then Hawaii.

Mike

Same thing with the F-22 (maybe a different compound being used) AND they have already had some problems with the early block aircraft.

Mudge I was thinking the same thing. Why don't they keep a few in service for airshow appearances, and football game flyovers and help relieve the needed "real" combat aircraft like the F-15's and A-10's? The airframes have to be lower time and with much better avionics than some of the airplanes currently being taxed by our many wars.
It would be great for Air Force morale to let a few guys on rotation from the war, get checked out to make stateside airshow appearances, and Base open houses etc.