F-117 RIP

[paullangford]

Has anyone told VTTS ?............although it'll probably be left outside for now

[page_verify]

The F-117 has far too many nasty chemicals in it for one to permanently leave US soil.

[Ghastly Whisper]

Be nice if Duxford could get one for its american museum.

Pfffft dream on, they were (rumoured) offered one a number of years ago, as well as an F-14, F-16, C-141, F-4, F-105 and a few others all turned down, this is why they dont get offers of airframes anymore.

Duxford did have an F-105 in their possession, but they recently sent it back to the USAF museum along with the F-100. I think Duxford is pretty much full up with aircraft exhibits now so I think the chances of an F-117 going there are very slim because that would only be another airframe for them to look look after. The line has to be drawn somewhere!

TB

No, it was the T-33 and the F-100 that were returned, the F-105 went to Poland. The F-105 and F-4 they were offered have piccys in this thread viewtopic.php?f=18&t=150127

Both the 33 and 100 are iconic USAF jets in their own right as is the 105, what is the AAM actually for? if not to tell the story of American air power? in my view it is very short sighted turning these airframes down and returning them, what of the future? will they be offered an F-22 or a C-17 an F-18. Anyway in my view the AAM has to progress or it will stagnate. A 117 would have sat well with the SR-71 and U-2

[f106dart]

Its a lot of work that has to be done for these AC to be put on display. If you have seen the one at Black bird park it has a few dents in it. That is from all the tiles that have to be taken off And very time consuming. So I was told by some one from Edwards who's guys had to do all the prep work.

[Stroudy]

Not having an F-14 is a real omission at Duxford. Such an important aircraft and so widely loved. I would argue a lesser type there could/should give way to one.

[Malcolm]

Not having an F-14 is a real omission at Duxford. Such an important aircraft and so widely loved. I would argue a lesser type there could/should give way to one.

The Yanks are very jumpy about F-14's and F-111's due to the fact they share many engine components, and a certain middle eastern country who the US aren't very chummy with anymore still uses F-14. I believe a number of F-14s were 'reclaimed' from private museums in the US for that very reason. It's also one of the reasons that the Australian F-111G's all got buried. I don't think there are any F-14's preserved outside of the USA, and there are very few F-111's either.

Other than the film Top Gun, I've never quite understood the fascination with F-14. Sure it was a beast in the air, and has loads more character than most modern jets, but what about Vigilante, Crusader etc?

[Thunder]

It's also one of the reasons that the Australian F-111G's all got buried.

The Australian F111's were all striped of engines\avionics beforehand. Due to the nature of materials that the empty fuselages contained(asbestos being the main concern) it was cheaper to bury the hulks rather than painstakingly remove the hazardous material which would've nullified any scrap value of the hulks.

Both the F-14 and F111 only flew with two air arms so has limited appeal to museums outwith those countries, I dare say if a reputable museum wanted one they could've obtained one.

[TankBuster]

Shame that the IWM returned the F-100, especially considering that the type was based in the UK with the 20th TFW at Wethersfield, Bentwaters & Woodbridge (79th TFS). And also with the 48th TFW at Lakenheath.

That's now left a nice big gap in the history of the USAF in England hasn't it .

TankBuster

[quid21]

What I'd like to see is one of the SR-71 hangars from Mildenhall being acquired, shipped down the A11/A505 and reconstructed at Duxford with the AAM SR-71 inside it as a lasting testament to Det4 once Mildenhall closes of course! Like what Bruntingthorpe did with the Lightning hangar.

Imagine walking past an SR-71 hangar at a Duxford airshow with both ends doors up, and an SR with Rich Graham giving guided tours around it inside -

Then the AAM would have space for at least a couple more big jets.

What do you reckon Duxford?!

[jem60]

Quid 21. Brilliant idea!!. It would look terrific. I am 100% sure that if you offered to completely finance it, then they would go for it immediately!.

[quid21]

Quid 21. Brilliant idea!!. It would look terrific. I am 100% sure that if you offered to completely finance it, then they would go for it immediately!.

Ha I can dream can't I!

[jem60]

Well, sometimes dreams DO become reality!!. Regard, John.

[bizfreeq]

That's now left a nice big gap in the history of the USAF in England hasn't it .

They don't have a CH-53, C130 or a KC-135 either, amongst others! It's the American Air Museum not the American Forces in Britain museum, that aspect is only part of it. At the end of the day, they only have a finite amount of space in that building and, at the moment, it is all accounted for.

[Ghastly Whisper]

they only have a finite amount of space in that building and, at the moment, it is all accounted for.

Going on that theory, what have they replaced the T-33 and F-100 with? nothing perhaps? so in theory there should be room for two more airframes?

[Agent K]

F15 (now indoors) real P51 and a lot of period personal effects and ground equipment, and they've done a fantastic job on it too.