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Airframe Details for F-35 #BF-18

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F-35 Aircraft Profile

Aircraft: BF-18
LM Aero T/V BF-18
Plant LMTAS
Local C/N
Delivered USMC 168314
F-35B
Current USMC 168314
F-35B
Status [act]
Lockheed Martin test pilot Al Norman flew F-35B BF-18 (USN Bureau No: 168314) on its inaugural flight on August 8th, 2012 from NAS Fort Worth. Nicknamed "The Beast".


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Aircraft History

Date Status Local S/N Airforce/Unit Version Name Info
15 Sep 2012 [act] 168314 F-35B
06 Nov 2012 [act] 168314 USMC VMFAT-501 'VM-13' F-35B
Ferried from NAS Fort Worth on November 5th, 2012 and then to NAS Patuxent River on November 8th where it was on loan to VX-23.
Apr 2013 [act] 168314 USAF 461 FLTS '18' F-35B
Special characteristics:
  • Mission Marks
On loan from VMFAT-501 to the F-35 Integrated Test Force (ITF) at Edwards AFB as part of the 461 FLTS. Wears five missile and two bomb markings for testing.
Dec 2019 [act] 168314 USMC VMX-1 'MV-54' F-35B
Oct 2023 [act] 168314 USNavy VX-23 'SD-68' F-35B


Abbreviations and symbols:
[act] Active [i/a] Instructional Airframe [sto] Stored (e.g. at AMARG)
[cld] Cancelled Order [msh] Involved in Mishap [w/o] Write-off
[con] Converted [o/o] On Order
[des] Destroyed (drone) [pre] Preserved (museum, gateguard) T/V LM Aero Type/Version (Construction) number
[emb] Embargoed [scr] Scrapped Photo Available
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