F-35 discussion

[2e1var]

I love the F-35 and can't wait to see more, never understood why people wet themselves over the F-22 but can't stand the '35. That said it won't be long before everything we see will be an F35. The original EE Lightning is one of my favourite aircraft of all time but really, along with the F-4, she ain't no looker really.

[raptor9]

I saw one fly!. Nellis 1997 What a surprise that was to see on approach!!. Next day it was only on static disappointingley.

[Colbytheplaneguy]

Maybe the F-35 was designed to be a stealth jet which could provide international air security, rather than a plane spotters nightmare????
me: make the F-35 look good.
the-powers-that-be: ummm... nope.

[bizfreeq]

It is still better looking than the alternative!

[plmc135]

Nothing will ever beat the beautiful lines of a Hawker Hunter.

[raptor9]

Never a truer word!!

[dragonchaser]

I must agree with others the F106 was a really slick looking aircraft, but I don’t see too much wrong with the F35, it’ll grow on us all in time.

[Mortz]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

Spot on comment here Blackcat1.

I spent my career working on the Hawk, Tornado F3 and Harrier GR7/9.

The Hawk, just looks right, it is a classic design.

Having flown alongside the F3 many times I still think it one of the most beautiful looking aircraft to grace the skies; the Radome Maxi-Skirt and Fuselage extensions really make it. Can’t knock the GR4 either come to think of it!

Conversely the Harrier GR7, we used to refer to it as being beautifully ugly! It does look like a ‘bag of spanner’s’ but when fully tooled up in the close air support role, it looks so purposeful and like it means business.

Personally I don’t understand the F35 knockers. It is a phenomenal aircraft that will be around for a long time; one day people will go all ‘teary-eyed’ over it, believe me. Let’s just be thankful we are not all having to look at and photograph UAVs!

Regards to all
Mortz

[Colbytheplaneguy]

so before we like the F-35 we will have to wait 50 years for it to be a classic,
THEN people will say it was the spitfire of its day.
in my opinion the most beautiful aircraft is a jet provost with the silver paint scheme.
any supporters?
KR

[raptor9]

In a word NO!!.

[Mortz]

A JP? Never in a month of Sundays for me. But like I said, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[steamy]

there's one thing that really bugs me about the F-35 and I don't know why.... the rear undercarriage...

I don't know what it is, it just feels too straight and cheap compared to the rest of the aircraft

Lovely plane otherwise, although a bit small and not as entertaining to watch like it's predecessors.

Mind you, I've only seen it at Farnborough (2017?) and RIAT (2018?) where both displays were supposedly non "high performance"...
So it will be interesting to see what some operational ones do

[Blackcat1]

No one's mentioned the CAT! I mean the Jaguar . I certainly miss them at low level, always seemed lot lower than anything else! Nothing beats seeing a few 4 ships or 5/6 ships on occasion hugging the contours of the valleys sometimes inverted and carrying out attacks on bridges or local factories etc in my local area . Brilliant schoolboy and young adult memories.

As i said Beauty is in they eye of the Beholder or even the Beer Holder!

[Finty]

so before we like the F-35 we will have to wait 50 years for it to be a classic,

To be fair, this does happen whereby something gets slagged off when new but then cranks grow to like and ultimately miss it. For instance, I've heard of people slagging off the Tornado back in '82 but I bet they've changed their tune, likewise on the railways the InterCity 125s got slagged off when new but are now considered a classic design. Spotters can be fickle.

I love the F-35 and can't wait to see more, never understood why people wet themselves over the F-22 but can't stand the '35. That said it won't be long before everything we see will be an F35. The original EE Lightning is one of my favourite aircraft of all time but really, along with the F-4, she ain't no looker really.

Possibly because the F22 was new and original looking (and bigger) whereas the 35 by its nature doesn't look as 'different' or innovative due to its predecessor. Nevertheless I still like the 35.

[Finty]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

Personally I don’t understand the F35 knockers. It is a phenomenal aircraft that will be around for a long time; one day people will go all ‘teary-eyed’ over it, believe me. Let’s just be thankful we are not all having to look at and photograph UAVs!

Regards to all
Mortz

Maybe one day in the distant future, people will get teary-eyed when the Protectors and LANCAs are withdrawn!

[paddyboy]

Totally agree with you, Gareth, re: those ‘Stalky Little Cats’

Spent many a happy hour at my beloved Coltishall watching them, post-Lightning

[2e1var]

in my opinion the most beautiful aircraft is a jet provost with the silver paint scheme.
any supporters?
KR

Oh hell no !!!

[Blackcat1]

Totally agree with you, Gareth, re: those ‘Stalky Little Cats’

Spent many a happy hour at my beloved Coltishall watching them, post-Lightning

Oh yes Coltishall was my favourite base to visit! Had a couple of great station visits over the years organised by CRO Mick Jennings. I think he emigrated to OZ or NZ?

[Saguaro]

RF-101C Vodoo in natural metal - now I need a lie down after thinking about one!

Regarding the F-35 I believe the LM test pilots think the C is the best version, but then it's bigger, more fuel, bigger wing so it's performnce benefits. I suspect one of the F-35s issues is that only a fraction of its capabilites are unclassified.