F35B Airwing

[Pelican]

Here's to its successful completion , so far its been a bit like watching paint dry , but perhaps thats my anxiety to see a successful completion David , so lets pray all goes well and not major problems exist , although with all the protracted preparations that have been reported on daily this seems unlikely

A bit harsh Ivor bearing in mind such things as the very restricted budget, a F35B costs approx. £100m, we have had to start again from scratch re training pilots, flight deck crews, maint. crews, ATC, etc. etc. Plus rules and regs are much changed from the old days - e.g. clearance has to be obtained to operate a/c and choppers safely, hence current trials. We, RN & RAF, will not have 12 F35Bs until the end of this year with clearance for carrier operation expected by late spring 2019. All that with PoW to be completed, sea trials and FOST etc. Not to mention a possible manning problem? As someone once said "Patience dear boy."

[ivorthediver]

Fair comment David , but we have been bombarded with reports of the training programmes ALL our lads have been on ...not just pilots , which is all to the good of the service , but it seems to drag on , and on ,and on , its just as well we dont have any pressing issues to face or we would lose even more dont you think

[Pelican]

UPDATE ON FIRST F35B LANDINGS ETC. ON Q.E.
It appears that there has been a media blackout by the MOD up until today but there will a press release tomorrow which will contain photos and a video of what took place earlier in the week.

[designeraccd]

To see the "vaunted" F-35B on a flight deck, here is the ESSEX carrying 6 as part of her loadout. Given that these things have about busted the CORPs budget...sure HOPE they are worth it... DFO

[ivorthediver]

And the 10 Ospreys don't help either do they mate

[Pelican]

To see the "vaunted" F-35B on a flight deck, here is the ESSEX carrying 6 as part of her loadout. Given that these things have about busted the CORPs budget...sure HOPE they are worth it... DFO

They sure are on 'active' service see - https://twitter.com/dave_brown24/status ... 62432?s=19

[Pelican]

To see the "vaunted" F-35B on a flight deck, here is the ESSEX carrying 6 as part of her loadout. Given that these things have about busted the CORPs budget...sure HOPE they are worth it... DFO

They sure are on 'active' service see - https://twitter.com/dave_brown24/status ... 62432?s=19

Also:
RAW FOOTAGE: Today, the F-35B conducted its first-ever combat strikes.
The strikes were in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel.
"The opportunity for us to be the first U.S. Navy, Marine Corps team to employ the F-35B in support of maneuver forces on the ground demonstrates one aspect of the capabilities this platform brings to the region, our allies, and our partners," said Col. Chandler Nelms, commanding officer, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
(U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Francisco J. Diaz Jr. and Cpl. A. J. Van Fredenberg)
https://www.facebook.com/marines/videos ... cation=ufi

[designeraccd]

Go CORPS!! Let's see...@ $125 million or so for each bird x 6. Wonder: how many tankers were needed, what the combat camera footage looks like? Presumably all 6 returned ok?! DFO

Also this: https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-f-35-figh ... 51915.html

[Pelican]

Exposing the truth - again. An interesting article for the less well informed like myself.
"With the RAAF’s first two operational F-35 fighters arriving in early December, long-time critics have launched a fresh wave of claims that the aircraft is a disaster.
The U.S. company that builds the JSF, Lockheed Martin Corporation, flew Australian journalists, myself included, to its plants in Fort Worth, Texas, and Orlando, Florida, to examine the project. The information I gathered through that trip, including from U.S. Air Force personnel, is helpful in understanding the actual status of the jets and the production program."
Full article - https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/the-man ... no_cache=1

[Pelican]

THE FIRST 2 F35Bs HAVE NOW LANDED ON Q.E.

Second photo - Commander Nathan Gray RN FAA was the first to land on this historic occasion, with Squadron Leader Andy Edgal RAF seen landing second.
First photo - Commander Nathan Gray RN FAA is seen taking off in the first F35B Lightning from HMS Queen Elizabeth on Tuesday 25 Sept 18
Both are tweeted photos.