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.

[tornado17]

With the CSG now through the Suez Canal, have any of the jets returned back to Marham as was rumoured? I read in the Heads Up about the gathering of Voyagers in Cyprus so was wondering if they were for the rumoured return of one of the squadrons.

[LimaHotel01]

Don't think any of the jets have yet returned to Marham. However, according to the CAA ACN for Cobra Warrior in September, 617 Sqn are due to participate in Cobra Warrior so it may be that they will return to Marham from P of W before the end of CSG25

LH01