CSG25 - Marham Jets

[raameagle]

That's correct Alf.

Sorry i don't know, just record the numbers. I assume it is some sort of update - it certainly takes a long time at the Cherry Point Fleet Readiness Center but no idea what they are having done.

I thought Cherry Point is the main overhaul location for the UK F-35 fleet when they need deep routine maintenance. Just like the Lakenheath F-15E go to Warner Robins for theirs.

[slogen51]

ZM144/145 were less than six years old and probably flew on average once per week and that is being generous but I suppose in terms of other nations F-35 in Europe the RAF jets are the oldest by some years

[Evergreen 44]

Good Evenning,
Given the earlier mention of limited upgrades available for the TR-1 airframes can anyone please confirm which UK serial a/c this would apply to ?
If ZM144 and ZM145 have been upgraded from TR-2 to TR-3 presumably that limits the TR-1 airframes to ZM135 to ZM143.
Potentially would that mean that a pair of TR-1 will remain in the US just for trials in order to support a small proportion of the fleet ?
Thanks,
Paul

[slogen51]

ZM143/009 went to Cherry Point recently to replace ZM144/010 and ZM145/011 which both returned to Marham

Ascot 9731-9734 on the deck at Marham via Cherry Point on Sunday 4th May 2025

ZM144/010 no marks
ZM145/011 no marks
ZM171/037 lightning flash
ZM172/038 lightning flash

May as well update the summary

By my reckoning that leaves 13 Operational F-35B at Marham : ( 13 at Marham, 18 on HMS PoW, 6 in Conus) and one w/o
____________________________________________________________

Four assumed at Edwards AFB
ZM135/001, ZM136/002, ZM138/004, ZM165/031

One at NAS Patuxent River
ZM170/036

One on maintenance at Cherry Point
ZM143/009 departed 28-4-2025

1 written off (stored at Marham)
ZM152/018 w.o 17-11-2021

18 on the PoW ( in serial order)
ZM137/003, ZM139/005, ZM140/006, ZM141/007, ZM146/012, ZM150/016
ZM153/019, ZM156/022, ZM157/023, ZM158/024, ZM159/025, ZM160/026
ZM161/027, ZM163/029, ZM164/030, ZM167/033, ZM168/034, ZM169/035

13 operational at Marham
ZM142/008, ZM144/010,ZM145/011 ZM147/013, ZM148/014, ZM149/015
ZM151/017, ZM154/020, ZM155/021, ZM162/028, ZM166/032, ZM171/037,ZM172/038

= 38 : ZM172/038

(* I haven't noted ZM147/013 since 28-10-2024 when it returned to Marham from HMS Prince of Wales
ZM151/017 not noted since July 2024?
ZM154/020 not noted since 17-03-2024?
)

[RubyRoo]

Great update again, thanks slogen.

Do 17sqn operate from Pax as well then? Or is ZM170 on loan to a USN test sqn or something for weapons integration? I know they've done the Meteor missile testing from Pax.

[slogen51]

Sorry for lack of reply - I have no idea

I heard ZM170 is at Pax but it is possible/likely there are two at Pax River? Maybe ZM165

[tommc]

Great update again, thanks slogen.

Do 17sqn operate from Pax as well then? Or is ZM170 on loan to a USN test sqn or something for weapons integration? I know they've done the Meteor missile testing from Pax.

ZM170 went to Pax River, via Eglin on 16/01/2025 as Hustler 91.

[slogen51]

For what it is worth last year at Fort Worth I also heard and saw Hustler 91 - a AL F-35A delivery (5728)

[RubyRoo]

Good Evenning,
Given the earlier mention of limited upgrades available for the TR-1 airframes can anyone please confirm which UK serial a/c this would apply to ?
If ZM144 and ZM145 have been upgraded from TR-2 to TR-3 presumably that limits the TR-1 airframes to ZM135 to ZM143.
Potentially would that mean that a pair of TR-1 will remain in the US just for trials in order to support a small proportion of the fleet ?
Thanks,
Paul

Hi Evergreen.

I'm not sure which frames make up the original TR-1 build. My understanding was that some of the first aircraft assigned to 17 sqn were being "de-wired" at Ogden and then will eventually come over to Marham. I think this ties in with other information I've seen about newer airframes being instrumented up to replace the older frames. They only usually have 3 frames as standard.

Using slogen's great list, there's currently 5 in the US being used for testing/evaluations. My guess would be that ZM165/ZM170 and another new one will stay out there with 17sqn.

ZM135/ZM136/ZM138 will all be "de-wired" and sent over to Marham. Pure speculation on my part though, I have no idea.

[Evergreen 44]

Thanks RubyRoo,
Yes, that seems to be the accepted understanding on the early airframes being replaced as it makes sense for later developmemt work to be done with TR-2/TR-3 spec. machines which is now more prevalent
A bit disappointing that TR-1's are effectively time-warp spec. which is bound to reduce their effectiveness for combat.
They will become over-priced training machines unless they can be part-exchanged to the USMC and we can have more TR-3 as later builds for a fully effective fleet
Time will tell but I guess we will not see full value for money from this project in the long-term
Regards,
Paul

[RubyRoo]

Thanks RubyRoo,
Yes, that seems to be the accepted understanding on the early airframes being replaced as it makes sense for later developmemt work to be done with TR-2/TR-3 spec. machines which is now more prevalent
A bit disappointing that TR-1's are effectively time-warp spec. which is bound to reduce their effectiveness for combat.
They will become over-priced training machines unless they can be part-exchanged to the USMC and we can have more TR-3 as later builds for a fully effective fleet
Time will tell but I guess we will not see full value for money from this project in the long-term
Regards,
Paul

Hi Paul

Supposedly the TR-1 frames are able to undergo limited upgrades but will never reach TR-3/Block 4 standard. I think they’ll still play a vital role even if they aren’t fully able to get to where the other frames will be. Tranche 2 (27 aircraft) will all be to the new standard as well so it should hopefully only be a small part of the fleet which never gets there.

[Alf]

ZM174/BK-40 was noted outside at Fort Worth 13/05/25. Credit to Scramble.