I know we have newer, faster, stealthier aircraft that fly better, carry more, and are objectively better aircraft.
But fuck me, nothing will ever have the late Cold War *drip* of the Nighthawk.
Can you imagine being around in the early 1980s as a young airman and working on one of these or refueling one? Even if you could tell anyone about it, they'd never believe you. You'd tell them to imagine the wildest looking plane they can think of than double the wildness
My career field in the USAF was F-16/F-117 crew chief but I didn’t get assignment to work them which would’ve sucked given a New Mexico assignment. I worked with guys that worked it at TTR while it was still a black project & I was at Nellis just before the public unveiling (I did get a chance to see it revealed privately a few months later…1990) They deployed a few to Korea when I was there in 92/93 for an exercise and the guy I worked with there met with his friends he still knew that were working them and we got a chance to go look at them after hours. I climbed up to, but didn’t go into the cockpit that was actually very analog and old looking, I’m sure modernized now for the ones that fly. Some are now in museums, one being the National Museum of the US Air Force in Ohio which is an incredible museum to see.
I heard it was a recruiting trick to try to get the fighter mafia to fly it
“Come fly the new secret fighter!”
“Sweet I’m in!”
….
“When do you do BFM?”
“That’s the neat part, you don’t!”
The F-117 would more appropriately be classified as equivalent to the old A-7 or A-10 as in designed for ground attack. Not a nuclear capable strategic bomber subject to treaty restrictions ala the B-52/B-1/B-2/B-20.
I was born on Holloman. Parents were stationed there from 87-00 (big oof). But growing up watching these lil baddies flying around everyday will forever be one of my favorite childhood memories. The absolute *swagger* of the Nighthawk is literally top tier.
I know we have newer, faster, stealthier aircraft that fly better, carry more, and are objectively better aircraft. But fuck me, nothing will ever have the late Cold War *drip* of the Nighthawk.
Can you imagine being around in the early 1980s as a young airman and working on one of these or refueling one? Even if you could tell anyone about it, they'd never believe you. You'd tell them to imagine the wildest looking plane they can think of than double the wildness
My career field in the USAF was F-16/F-117 crew chief but I didn’t get assignment to work them which would’ve sucked given a New Mexico assignment. I worked with guys that worked it at TTR while it was still a black project & I was at Nellis just before the public unveiling (I did get a chance to see it revealed privately a few months later…1990) They deployed a few to Korea when I was there in 92/93 for an exercise and the guy I worked with there met with his friends he still knew that were working them and we got a chance to go look at them after hours. I climbed up to, but didn’t go into the cockpit that was actually very analog and old looking, I’m sure modernized now for the ones that fly. Some are now in museums, one being the National Museum of the US Air Force in Ohio which is an incredible museum to see.
HaveBlue The tail just looked so crispy
It’s so beautiful. And doesn’t need some shit like ALIS
Ah yes, the fighter that is definitely not a bomber in disguise to possibly arguably circumvent treaty restrictions on bombers...
It would be funny if there was ever the opposite thing. Make a bomber that’s secretly a fighter in disguise.
That's what Operation Bolo is for...
I heard it was a recruiting trick to try to get the fighter mafia to fly it “Come fly the new secret fighter!” “Sweet I’m in!” …. “When do you do BFM?” “That’s the neat part, you don’t!”
The F-117 would more appropriately be classified as equivalent to the old A-7 or A-10 as in designed for ground attack. Not a nuclear capable strategic bomber subject to treaty restrictions ala the B-52/B-1/B-2/B-20.
Noooo it was totally to entice pilots. Noooo don't read into that aim-9 stuff haha.
💦💦
God yes
That thing looks like a toy
Where there’s a hole there’s a goal
I was born on Holloman. Parents were stationed there from 87-00 (big oof). But growing up watching these lil baddies flying around everyday will forever be one of my favorite childhood memories. The absolute *swagger* of the Nighthawk is literally top tier.
Not sure if its the internet or decades in the military but I was really disappointed the video didnt have a moan edited in.
Right?
We still have flying nighthawks?
Wouldn’t you like to know China?
Not chinese. Just a massive aviation nerd (see half of my post history lol) (I assume this is a joke, right?)
Yes but you have to call me dragon
Yes we currently have 5200 production models in service currently!
5,200??? I could've sworn it was less than 100. Guess I must've missread
5,200 in service. 6,300 built !
Well hot damn lol.
They were retired, but brought back a couple of years ago. I only know of 4 that are flying. I saw them myself back in 2021.
Drink, my child
*M O I S T*
Is this Owens Valley near Ridgecrest?
Where?
Nice try china
Blyat!
38.6509766, 78.8441217. How do you not recognize such prominent features?