Latest F-35 AA-1 test flight photos (Flight 24 thru 26)

dwightlooi · by **dwightlooi** » 11 Feb 2008, 08:28

Looking sleek and pretty...

SnakeHandler · by **SnakeHandler** » 11 Feb 2008, 12:09

Nice!

checksixx · by **checksixx** » 11 Feb 2008, 15:18

Man...I can't wait to see this thing muscle into a 9g turn at an airshow...

SnakeHandler · by **SnakeHandler** » 11 Feb 2008, 15:22

I can't wait to fly some High Aspect BFM with it. I finally got to do some today after a few months of PGMs and OpSat. It's nice to pull 9 again. We don't get to do it nearly enough.

Guysmiley · by **Guysmiley** » 11 Feb 2008, 15:41

Is the F-35 going to be AoA limited like the Viper? I don't mean to the same limit, but in general? Obviously the F-22 isn't. Or is that the kind of thing that doesn't get a decision until the test flights are complete and the envelope is "fully explored"?

cywolf32 · by **cywolf32** » 11 Feb 2008, 16:43

I can't see why some people think the F-35 is an ugly airplane!! I think its an awesome looking aircraft. It just looks the buisness to me, esp. compared to the euro canards. :notworthy:

checksixx · by **checksixx** » 11 Feb 2008, 17:39

Dumb question:

Any reason they didn't clip the horizontal stabs like they did on the Raptor? I'm guessing its an airflow issue, but I'd love a firm answer if anyone knows.

-Check

AeroG33k · by **AeroG33k** » 18 Feb 2008, 05:18

Potentially stupid question: Can anybody tell me what the item I highlighted in this picture is? I'm guessing it's the APU/IPP exhaust but I really don't know. It seems...big...

sprstdlyscottsmn · by **sprstdlyscottsmn** » 18 Feb 2008, 23:38

Based on the metallic tone around it I would guess an exhast of sorts sure, but why there? To hide the emission?

LMAggie · by **LMAggie** » 19 Feb 2008, 01:17

Yes, thats the IPP exhaust area. The dark spot is the exhaust hole and the light colored material surrounding it is a special material developed to withstand the high temps from the IPP and be LO at the same time (which is extremely hard).

RamsteinPilot526 · by **RamsteinPilot526** » 19 Feb 2008, 01:37

Yeah, I say IF anything ever replaces, or joins, the Viper, then the 35 should be it.

LMAggie · by **LMAggie** » 19 Feb 2008, 01:57

I wanna know what that red mark is on the main engine nozzle. Perhaps they forgot to remove the "Remove Before Flight" tag?! lol

vegasdave901 · by **vegasdave901** » 19 Feb 2008, 02:02

Great, has that IPP exhaust always been located there?! Another mod I missed in making my model, now I have to add it in.

Any close pics?

LMAggie · by **LMAggie** » 19 Feb 2008, 02:17

Well the IPP has always existed, but the exhaust has changed location. In fact, the exhaust is on the bottom on one variant. That photo is actually one of the few shots I've seen where you can see the IPP exhaust.

sprstdlyscottsmn · by **sprstdlyscottsmn** » 19 Feb 2008, 22:30

man, what a nice looking plane. I cant wait to get a good model of it or get a good flight sim.