F-117A Nighthawk

[MikeD]

For those interested, the latest issue of the Stealth Fighter Association Newsletter is linked here. This issue is very interesting in that it has a big article on how the completed F-117As were picked up in the early 1980s during the "black" days from the Lockheed-Burbank facility in the dead of night at KBUR by C-5A Galaxy, and transported to the Nevada desert. While the basics of this information is public knowledge, the specifics of exactly how it was accomplished, to date, haven't been revealed to this level of detail in any civil publications I know of. So, very interesting stuff there.

Also, as this issue covers the timeframe over Memorial Day, a list of all fallen Bandits (F-117 pilots), is detailed.

http://www.f117sfa.org/sfa_newsletter/Newsletter 13-06.pdf

 

[Brian29]

Black helicopters aren't going to arrive and night and take me away now that I have read that right?

 

[Pilot Fighter]

On a related note, an interesting article about transporting A-12's.
http://roadrunnersinternationale.com/transporting_the_a-12.html

 

[MikeD]

Black helicopters aren't going to arrive and night and take me away now that I have read that right?

Im on my way.

 

[knot4u]

Was working line service at KBUR in the very early nineties and remember a C-5 coming in one night. Rumor was they were picking up whatever was left of the program. 18 wheelers parked strategically to block any sight lines. Impressive watching that aircraft operate into and out of that airport.

 

[MikeD]

 

[ozziecat35]

A most excellent read.






Do I hear helicopters? brb

 

[ozziecat35]

I thought I remembered an article about new pilots to the F-117 program first seeing the plane in front of a huge flag or something. What was your first "encounter" with the jet like Mike?

 

[MikeD]

I thought I remembered an article about new pilots to the F-117 program first seeing the plane in front of a huge flag or something. What was your first "encounter" with the jet like Mike?

Was in one of the maintenance phase hangars (as opposed to the aircraft's individual hangar, which each plane had). Every AF maintenance hangar nowadays has an American flag hanging from the ceiling or on the back wall. The jet was sitting there among some others which were in various stages of backshop teardown. Besides getting a first look at the plane, one of the first things emphasized was a walkaround showing where all the locations of Nighthawk "bites" were, or places where you can get injured by the jet if you're not careful on preflight and the like. Areas common were the sharp-edged areas of the forward/aft bomb bay, but even more especially the inboard landing gear doors, specifically the front edge point. Once this was done, then an explanation of what was where on the jet, corresponding with the ground school info, was done, as well as a concurrent preflight familiarization. Getting a "bite" by the jet was not a matter of if, but only a matter of when.

 

[Lee D]

Thanks for sharing. I won't see KBUR in the same light when I pass through next time!

 

[scoobs]

what was flying it like? Sad that they retired them.

 

[H46Bubba]

what was flying it like? Sad that they retired them.

He could tell you, but then he'd have to kill you!

 

[PositionAndHold]

MikeD. Thanks for the link. I'm in the middle of "Skunk Works" (I'm sure you've read), which is great. Even if you only read the first few chapters you'll learn tons about the F-117. I think it's funny on the In Memoriam list from the news letter, they have a note next to people's names of what they did within the program or the Squadrons they were assigned to. Then towards the bottom of the page sits Ben Rich's name. No note. Nothing. You would think the "father" of stealth and the Skunkworks director that took over for Kelly Johnson would have a note.

Edit: Actually now that I think about it, it's pretty cool that his name is all "stealthy". Any way thanks again for the good read.

 

[ChasenSFO]

Thanks for sharing that, very cool! I can only imagine watching a C-5A fly in and out of BUR in the middle of the night, must have been a sight to see.

 

[T/O w/FSII]

Wow.

 

[Hacker15e]

what was flying it like? Sad that they retired them.

WSO with landing and instrument currency....

 

[ClarkGriswold]

MikeD. Thanks for the link. I'm in the middle of "Skunk Works" (I'm sure you've read), which is great. Even if you only read the first few chapters you'll learn tons about the F-117. I think it's funny on the In Memoriam list from the news letter, they have a note next to people's names of what they did within the program or the Squadrons they were assigned to. Then towards the bottom of the page sits Ben Rich's name. No note. Nothing. You would think the "father" of stealth and the Skunkworks director that took over for Kelly Johnson would have a note.

Edit: Actually now that I think about it, it's pretty cool that his name is all "stealthy". Any way thanks again for the good read.

I was trying to remember who was reading it from that other thread. Awesome book, and awesome post MikeD. Would have been awesome to be a part of all that.

 

[The Fez]

WSO with landing and instrument currency....

This. Is. Priceless.

 

[Pilot Fighter]

MikeD, did you ever use the hook on that thing?

 

[MikeD]

MikeD, did you ever use the hook on that thing?

No. Far too much ass pain to even bother.....it better be a no-kidding need.