The BAE Samlesbury Lightening is going...
Discussion
The gate guard at Samlesbury, Lightening ZF580 (ex- 53-672) is being removed for (I assume) scrap on Monday. A local metal processors have been tasked with the removal.
I'm guessing its now structurally knackered after years on a plinth? Sad. May get over with the camera if I can find out times...
I'm guessing its now structurally knackered after years on a plinth? Sad. May get over with the camera if I can find out times...
Will hopefully find out what's happening later, my wife is sorting the contract out today. Mind you she did the contract for the Blackpool Airport Vulcan too.... :-/
Edit.... Going for restoration, not sure where though...
Edit.... Going for restoration, not sure where though...
Edited by neilb62 on Thursday 21st February 16:41
Edited by neilb62 on Thursday 21st February 17:55
Eric Mc said:
I think one has gone to a museum in the US already.
Already!You'd think they'd be something to learn from it even if it isn't representative of the Low initial rate production models.
Should've just ploughed our money into extra Typhoons for the RAF and Super Hornets for the Navy and perhaps bought in to this once it had matured in to a viable option (If it ever does!).
Sorry for taking the topic off on a tangent, as you were.
X-35B (STOVL, which used to be the X35A before it was converted) is in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington. X-35C is at the PAX Naval Air Museum, along with one of the X32 designs.
AA-1 (which was a pre-prod version, if you like) was shot up, presumably for some sort of vulnerability testing. All the other F-35s that have been produced are still flying.
Fully expect any gate guardian at Samlesbury to be plastic-fantastic!
AA-1 (which was a pre-prod version, if you like) was shot up, presumably for some sort of vulnerability testing. All the other F-35s that have been produced are still flying.
Fully expect any gate guardian at Samlesbury to be plastic-fantastic!
Hooli said:
Roberty said:
Eric Mc said:
I think one has gone to a museum in the US already.
Already!There's been a replica at the RAF Museum in Hendon since at least March 2012.
Perhaps if they put more effort into the actual aircraft, and a little less time in the proliferation of plastic rep's, then the thing might come to something. At the moment it's becoming more and more 'Commanche' by the second.
Anyone other than the US Government got $6billion to flush down the pan?
Perhaps if they put more effort into the actual aircraft, and a little less time in the proliferation of plastic rep's, then the thing might come to something. At the moment it's becoming more and more 'Commanche' by the second.
Anyone other than the US Government got $6billion to flush down the pan?
Roberty said:
The F-35 may be shaping up to be a bit of a Turkey but I don't think we should relegate them straight to gate guard dutys!
Here?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_F-35_...
wikip said:
In November 2011, a Pentagon study team identified the following 13 areas of concern that remained to be addressed in the F-35:[163][164]
The helmet-mounted display system does not work properly.
The fuel dump subsystem poses a fire hazard.
The Integrated Power Package is unreliable and difficult to service.
The F-35C's arresting hook does not work.
Classified "survivability issues", which have been speculated to be about stealth.[163]
The wing buffet is worse than previously reported.
The airframe is unlikely to last through the required lifespan.
The flight test program has yet to explore the most challenging areas.
The software development is behind schedule.
The aircraft is in danger of going overweight or, for the F-35B, not properly balanced for VTOL operations.
There are multiple thermal management problems. The air conditioner fails to keep the pilot and controls cool enough, the roll posts on the F-35B overheat, and using the afterburner damages the aircraft.
The automated logistics information system is partially developed.
The lightning protection on the F-35 is uncertified, with areas of concern.
The helmet-mounted display system does not work properly.
The fuel dump subsystem poses a fire hazard.
The Integrated Power Package is unreliable and difficult to service.
The F-35C's arresting hook does not work.
Classified "survivability issues", which have been speculated to be about stealth.[163]
The wing buffet is worse than previously reported.
The airframe is unlikely to last through the required lifespan.
The flight test program has yet to explore the most challenging areas.
The software development is behind schedule.
The aircraft is in danger of going overweight or, for the F-35B, not properly balanced for VTOL operations.
There are multiple thermal management problems. The air conditioner fails to keep the pilot and controls cool enough, the roll posts on the F-35B overheat, and using the afterburner damages the aircraft.
The automated logistics information system is partially developed.
The lightning protection on the F-35 is uncertified, with areas of concern.
DudleySquires said:
All the other F-35s that have been produced are still flying.
Were still flying 
http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130222/DEFREG02/302220023/U-S-Grounds-Entire-F-35-Fleet-Over-Engine-Issues?odyssey=nav
It was removed from its stand yesterday afternoon, and looks to be going under some sort of temporary structure. I must admit it does look sorry for itself with a slightly closer view point. It’d be a shame to see it go considering the Canberra went a couple of years ago. Hopefully what has been said about it moving to the new main entrance is true. Typical for BAES there appears to be no news available internally around what is happening to it.
Al
Al
Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff