Marham fleet F-35 Sightings - 2022 > 2024

[RubyRoo]

ZM170 has been spotted as well.

I assume this and ZM171 will be replacing 2 aircraft currently with 17sqn?

[slogen51]

22/04/2024 11:48 Rafair 9731/32 departed to Lajes ( and then Cherry Point for upgrades - is Cherry Point a definite or a well educated guess based on past history?)

ZM144/010
ZM145/011

Edit confirmation of what was already known but nonetheless nice to see it in black and white

Acars Message to Ascot 9301 delivering Rafair 9731 to Cherry Point:-

BZZAS9L 231213 AGM AN ZZ335/FI 9L9301/MA 004I - QN BZZAS9L .BRUEP7X 231213 -TITLE ACK -MSGTYP IDLA -FILTIM 231213 -ORIGINDT 2404231213 -BEGIN ADDR -FAC EGVNTOWX -FAC BZZAS9L -END ADDR -IFPLID AA58079996 -MSGTXT (DLA-RRR9731-LPLA1320-KNKT-DOF/240423)

[slogen51]

Sunday 28/04/2024 Ascot 9751 ZM140/006 returned from MCAS Cherry Point via Lajes behind Ascot 9301 ZZ335

[John Fletcher 54]

Just to confirm F35’s read off on Tuesday 30 April 2024.
Flying around midday first launch were ZM159/025 & ZM161/027, followed by ZM142/008, ZM143/009 & ZM168/034. All returned; the three recovered first followed by the two ship shortly thereafter. Read under the sheds around 14:30 from the hill left to right were ZM169/035, 017, 029, 008, 034, 009 all under the long shed. Also 006 was on its own in a shed to the right of the six. Hope that helps the 4Aviation spotters who were present. Cheers John

[John Fletcher 54]

Also flying on 30 April were two unidentified F-35’s that landed circa 10am after an approach onto the hover pads. Can anyone confirm which these were? My photos are not clear enough. I guess they went up as Doom 11 flight around 9am. Cheers John

[andycoverdale]

I was just west of York on the 30th April, and saw a two ship formation of F35s head south east back toward Lincolnshire/Norfolk around 13.40 so if they were out of Marham I'm guessing they would got there around 2ish - do you have a time for ZM159 and ZM161 returning? I'm wondering if this might be the same two aircraft. Thanks
Andy C

[John Fletcher 54]

Andy - unfortunately I don’t have an exact time of when the two ship arrived back at Marham but it would have been around 14:00. If they were RAF F-35’s it is likely to be these two. It would be good if the 4Aviation bus trip participants could post their logs for 30 April. Sorry I could not be 100%. Cheers John

[Evergreen 44]

Good Afternoon,
Managed a brief vist here this afternoon between the rain showers :
ZM151/017 circuit practice between 14:45-15:20, ZM158/024 also in the circuit similar time
Out next were ZM162/028 and ZM166/032 departing around 16:00
In the shelters :
ZM141/007, ZM143/009, ZM157/023, ZM159/025, ZM161/027, ZM168/034
Two more unidentified, one could have been ZM142/008 but not enough light to confirm for sure plus one more next to ZM161/027
Best regards,
Paul

[Evergreen 44]

A late afternoon visit in great weather :
Flying :
ZM141/007, ZM143/009, ZM158/024, ZM159/025, ZM161/027, ZM166/032
Shelters :
ZM162/028, ZM163/029
Missed two more flying and two more in the shelters
Best regards,
Paul

[RubyRoo]

Believe all 17sqn aircraft currently in the US will be returning to the UK when they can be returned to standard configuration. The contract has been signed for this.

What this means for 17sqn I don't know, but I assume they will be disbanded and the aircraft dropped into the main pool.

[RubyRoo]

Been informed ZM170 and ZM171 will be arriving before year end.

[slogen51]

Yes an answer to a Question in the House of Commons indicated the plan

"Against the current schedule, it is projected that by end of calendar year 2024, the UK will have taken ownership of 37 F-35B aircraft.”

Therefore two more to come soon

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/deliver ... lete-2025/

UK Defence Journal saying there are 30 in the UK :-
"We recently reported the arrival of more F-35B jets, which means the UK, as of today, has 34 stealth jets. With one aircraft lost in an accident and four test jets in the US, there are now 30 of the type in operational service in the UK"

However I think that is incorrect as ZM144/010 and ZM145/011 have not returned from Cherry Point : departed Marham on 22/04/2024 to Cherry Point via Lajes

So I reckon there are 28 operational F-35B currently at Marham ( and 6 in CONUS)

The one that fell in to the sea could be in a shelter at Marham?