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Elite 2K Joined: Oct 20, 2005 Posts: 2103 Status: Offline

Related to our latest F-22 Raptor news "<a href="news_article2185.html">First F-22 Raptor bound for Pacific finishes construction</a>" -, I will post a little bit more background info:

At first: The aircraft is Raptor 4087 (Lockheed Martin´s construction number). USAF´s serial number is 05-4087, and the tail number is AF 05087 with the tailcode AK for the 3rd Wg, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.

Secondly: USAF´s latest related news story was originally released on PACAF´s public website:
<a href="http://www.pacaf.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123041046">First F-22 Raptor bound for Pacific finishes construction</a>
+ eleven <a href="http://www.pacaf.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=1230410462>associated photos</a>

Later, this news story was re-published by USAF´s public main website:
< href="http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123041055">First F-22 bound for Pacific unveiled</a> + eight <a href="http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123041055">associated photos</a>
(Note: USAF´s public main website released some other pictures and also a video clip)

Please also note: This event, celebrated like the roll-out of Raptor 01 (with "Spirit of America" nose art), was not a roll-out (as stated in captions of some related photos). In fact, it was a so-called acceptance ceremony.

The roll-out of this aircraft already took place on October 16, 2006:
<a href="http://www.af.mil/pressreleases/release.asp?storyID=123029412">First F-22 slated for Pacific rolls out</a> + three <a href="http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123029412">associated photos</a>

And: PACAF´s first Raptor was already unveiled during a so-called tail flash ceremony on August 3, 2006, also at the Lockheed Martin plant in Marietta, Georgia:
<a href="http://www.pacaf.af.mil/news/cctarchives/story.asp?storyID=123024586">PACAF unveils first F-22</a> + three <a href="http://www.pacaf.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123024586">associated photos</a>

The news article "PACAF unveils first F-22" states:

Quote:

[…] The aircraft, which is still under construction, will be the first of 36 F-22s assigned to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, beginning next year. The base will become home to two active-duty F-22 squadrons - the 90th and 525th Fighter Squadrons, as well as a reserve associate squadron, the 302nd FS. It was also announced today that Lt. Col. Mike Showers will be Elmendorf's first F-22 squadron commander. He will command the 90th FS. […]

[…] In the future, the aircraft will also be assigned to Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. The 199th Fighter Squadron of the Hawaii Air National Guard will fly the F-22 and the 531st Fighter Squadron will be an Active associate squadron to them. […]

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Elite 2K Joined: Oct 20, 2005 Posts: 2103 Status: Offline

O.K.! Zero response to this topic. Anybody who can/will fill the "gap" between Raptor 4085 (USAF serial number 05-4085, tail number FF 05085, 94th FS - which was delivered on 19 January 2007 as the 40th and last delivered jet for the 1st FW) - and Raptor 4087 (USAF serial number 05-4087, unveiled by USAF and Lockheed Martin as first PACAF Raptor)? What´s with Raptor 4086 (USAF serial number 05-4086)?

Enthusiast Joined: Aug 15, 2004 Posts: 74 Status: Offline

JJ and all,

To confuse things F-22A 05-4086 is marked up with an FF tailcode but currently flying with the based Raptors at Nellis (along with 05-4084!).

05-4087 is certainly marked up with a AK tailcode as seen by me at Langley a few weeks ago.

Regards

Mark

Elite 2K Joined: Oct 20, 2005 Posts: 2103 Status: Offline

That´s really confuse, raameagle! You are 100% sure that you saw 05-4087 with AK tailcode at Langley "a few weeks ago"? According to scramble.nl (provided by the Dutch Aviation Society) - some of the former first 27th FS Raptors are relocated (or scheduled for relocating) in 2007 to Tyndall AFB (with receiving their new tailcode TY). Is that true?

Enthusiast Joined: Aug 15, 2004 Posts: 74 Status: Offline

J.J.

Yep, read it off myself at Langley. I don't know whether any of the earlier jets are moving to Tyndall though!

Regards

Mark

Elite 2K Joined: Oct 20, 2005 Posts: 2103 Status: Offline

Thank you for your immediate response, raameagle! But my current main problem is the fact that USAF and Lockheed Martin stated that the 1st FW (ACC), Langley AFB, Virginia, "received its last assigned F-22A Raptor Friday [19 January 2007, J.J.] when the 94th Fighter Squadron accepted tail number 5085, bringing the total to 40 F-22s to complete the fleet."

This individual aircraft was Raptor 4085 (Lockheed Martins´s cn), USAF serial number 05-4085, tailcode FF, tailnumber AF 05 085, squadron tail band marking SPADS.

1st Fighter Wing Commander Brig. Gen. Burton Field, taxi's down the runway in the 40th F-22A Raptor (05-4085) delivered from the factory at Lockheed Martin in Marietta, Ga., to the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley AFB in Virginia on Jan. 19, 2007. The delivery of this mighty aircraft marks the completion of delivery from the factory to the installation.

But if anybody watch the F-22 serial numbers since Raptors 4041 and 4042 were delivered to the 1st FW as their very first F-22s, they must confuse with some serial numbers between 4041 and 4085. There are simply too much serials for 40 "delivered" aircraft, originally assigned to the 27th and 94th FS at Langley AFB! After a general online photo search, currently I check out latest info from scramble.nl. Please await the announced "F-22 fleet" update!

Newbie Joined: Feb 17, 2007 Posts: 5

Let me correct one wrong assumption. Raptors do not always deliver in tail number order. They are manufactured and normally come off the assembly line in order with a few exceptions. But once they get to the flight line the order can change depending upon the number of acceptance flights that are required to get an acceptable jet.

Elite 2K Joined: Oct 20, 2005 Posts: 2103 Status: Offline

I full understand you, Buyer! Can/will you add some samples or other details? We would be very grateful for any further support!

Newbie Joined: Feb 17, 2007 Posts: 5

Sure. To help explain why 4085 was Lanley's last jet and 4087 was the first AK was because 86 got to Langley ahead of 85.

Elite 2K Joined: Oct 20, 2005 Posts: 2103 Status: Offline

Thank you, Buyer!

Elite 2K Joined: Oct 20, 2005 Posts: 2103 Status: Offline

Some more PACAF Raptors, already assembled or still under construction, will arrive at Langley for training! An older USAF news article stated:

Quote:

[...] While at Langley, Elmendorf's Raptors will sport the "AK" tail flash. Pilots assigned to PACAF will wear Elmendorf's 90th Fighter Squadron patches; however, they will be fully integrated into Langley's 27th and 94th Fighter Squadrons. [...]

[...] The first F-22s are scheduled to transfer from Langley to Elmendorf by January 2008. [...]

Full story:
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123024567

On January 31, 2007, www.f22-raptor.com published their latest "F-22 Program Fast Facts", a quarterly PDF report on the F-22 Program.

Most interesting excerpts:

Quote:

- Delivered 87 F-22s and completed final assembly of 93 F-22s to date

- Delivered 27 F-22 in 2006

- 131 F-22 Raptors under contract through Lot 6

- Several Lot 5 aircraft (4084, 4085, 4086 & 4087) have been delivered; Lot 5 aircraft have 178 configuration enhancements over previously delivered aircraft.

- The Multi-Year contract proposal for FY-07, 08 & 09 authorized by Congress is good for the American public as it provides a greater return on the significant investment already made to develop the F-22. This plan spreads production out to CY-2011 but with annual production of aircraft shifted to 20 F-22s in FY-07, 08 & 09. Estimated savings is approximately $225 million over the three year period of the multi-year contract period. The aerospace industrial base also benefits as it spreads work out, keeps the line "hot" through December 2011 and bridges to F-35 production.

Source:
http://www.f22-raptor.com/media/fast_fa ... 013107.pdf

Anybody who archived past issues of these "Fast Facts"?

raameagle wrote:

To confuse things F-22A 05-4086 is marked up with an FF tailcode but currently flying with the based Raptors at Nellis (along with 05-4084!).

05-4087 is certainly marked up with a AK tailcode as seen by me at Langley a few weeks ago.

Photos from the ceremony:

Representatives from the U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin gathered, Feb 12, 2007, to see the roll-out of Pacific Air Forces' first F-22 (#05-087).

Newbie Joined: Feb 17, 2007 Posts: 5

Correct. My error earlier, I believe that 86 delivered straight from Marietta to Nellis for testing with the latest bells and whistles. I don't recall it going to langley from Marietta. Raptor 84 was the first Lot 5 jets.

Elite 2K Joined: Oct 20, 2005 Posts: 2103 Status: Offline

The USAF photo captions to the two pictures below are incorrect! This Raptor with tailcode FF is clearly from the 1st FW at Langley AFB. The second digit of the tail number is 7, the third should be 4. If correct, the aircraft must be 04-4074, 94th FS (Note: 04-4073 and 04-4075 are participating in "Red Flag").

A Lockheed Martin media availability for the acceptance ceremony stated:

Quote:

[...] 9 a.m. EST on Monday, Feb. 12, 2007

Senior military leadership, members of Congress and Lockheed Martin company representatives will gather at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Marietta, Georgia on Monday, February 12, 2007 for the acceptance of the first F-22 that will be assigned to U.S. Pacific Air Forces Command. An aerial demonstration of an F-22 Raptor is slated to take place immediately following the ceremony (weather permitting). [...]

[...] This event is being held in a secure hangar and on the flight line and the following guidelines will need to be followed:

All news media representatives must be U.S. citizens.
All footage is subject to review and may be confiscated if security guidelines are not followed.

It was simply impossible to move the "well-drapped" AK Raptor outside of the hangar and to launch this jet for an "aerial demonstration" "immediately following the ceremony".

Pacific Air Forces' first F-22 makes a pass over guests at the Lockheed Martin plant, Feb 12, 2007.

Newbie Joined: Feb 17, 2007 Posts: 5

Raptor 4087 was still in the ceremony hanger. After the ceremony guest werte ushered out to the ramp where vintage jets were on static display. ACC Demo pilot MAX MOGA launched his raptor from the Dobbins side of the runway for his demo flight. A good time was had by all.

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