It's finally here !

[westernhero]

First of UK's £100m stealth F-35B jets roars into Britain | Daily Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3666644/Lightning-flies-rainbow-UK-s-100m-stealth-F-35B-jets-roars-Britain-touching-RAF-base-ready-flown-new-617-Dambusters-Squadron.html)

[milosbanshee]

ROARS???????


Its supposed to be stealthy. It shouldn't "roar" it should be as damn as near as possible silent

[NutLoose]

The £100million British F-35B Lightning II jet - joined by two more owned by the US Marine Corps - will take part in a series of air shows across the UK next month

Read more: First of UK's £100m stealth F-35B jets roars into Britain | Daily Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3666644/Lightning-flies-rainbow-UK-s-100m-stealth-F-35B-jets-roars-Britain-touching-RAF-base-ready-flown-new-617-Dambusters-Squadron.html#ixzz4D1K1yeXm)
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The F-35s had to be refuelled in mid-air across the Atlantic by a US air force tanker plane (pictured)


http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/06/29/22/35CC6E7400000578-3666644-The_F_35s_had_to_be_refuelled_in_mid_air_across_the_Atlantic _by_-a-95_1467234628794.jpg


Damn, we have lost one already :E

[Buster Hyman]

First of UK's £200m stealth F-35B jets roars into Britain | Daily Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3666644/Lightning-flies-rainbow-UK-s-100m-stealth-F-35B-jets-roars-Britain-touching-RAF-base-ready-flown-new-617-Dambusters-Squadron.html)Fixed it for ya! :p

[flyinkiwi]

It's a pity you couldn't fix the picture of the F-22 the Daily Mail is claiming to be a F-35 about halfway down the article...

[sitigeltfel]

It's a pity you couldn't fix the picture of the F-22 the Daily Mail is claiming to be a F-35 about halfway down the article...

...and the French will be delighted to have their aircraft renamed the "Rafael"!

[taxydual]

Damn, we have lost one already http://cdn.pprune.org/images/smilies/evil.gif

No, it's the usual situation.

8 walk

5 launch

3 get there

[Engines]

Great reporting accuracy as ever - I think that's a US Marine Corps C-130, not a USAF aircraft - or did they just use a stock photo?

Best Regards as ever to those coming 'cross the pond...

Engines

[CoffmanStarter]

Great minds and all that Engines old chap ... There's me thinking it was a couple of USAF KC-10A Extenders that supported the Pond Hop ... The Daily Fail never fails to amuse ;)

[Martin the Martian]

So, do all US Air Force tanker planes have 'United States Marines' marked on them?

[CoffmanStarter]

Anyway ... some more accurate pics of the 'friendly' QRA intercept by No 1 Squadron RAF Lossiemouth ...

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af162/CoffmanStarter/F-35B-arrives-with-escort-top_zpsush3dwrt.jpg

Image Credit : Crown MOD

More here ...

The Aviationist (https://theaviationist.com/?p=39112?p=39112)

It seems USMC KC-130Js did also tag along ...

Video of some AAR over Greenland during the crossing yesterday ... love the 'Union Jack' on the instrument coaming :D

Alert 5 (http://alert5.com/2016/06/30/catch-videos-of-the-f-35bs-trip-to-u-k/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter)

Coff.

[TBM-Legend]

Great work. I'm intrigued why the A model doesn't have a retractable probe and an ARB receptacle like the F-105. Great option for getting gas when out there..

[Rhino power]

I'm intrigued why the A model doesn't have a retractable probe and an ARB receptacle like the F-105. Great option for getting gas when out there..

Simple, no need for one, or every tactical aircraft since the F-105 would've had one too...
However, I'm sure LM would happily design and fit one for beaucoup $$$$!

-RP

[BEagle]

I'm intrigued why the A model doesn't have a retractable probe and an ARB receptacle like the F-105.

While that would have provided flexibility, it would also have added weight and complicated 'stealth'.

Airframe weight growth is not a strong point of the F-35.

[57mm]

Interesting that they didn't use underwing tanks, as fighter aircraft normally do. Was this because they were unnecessary, or for some other reason?

[Davef68]

Do all F35A customers have boom equipped tankers?

[Rhino power]

Do all F35A customers have boom equipped tankers?

No.

-RP

[Ian Titcombe]

Flew over North Swindon about 6ish yesterday evening, heard the first and went to the front door to just catch the second disappearing in the very low cloud and heard the third. Nice PR picture shown on local BBC Points West news channel lunchtime.

[sandiego89]

Interesting that they didn't use underwing tanks, as fighter aircraft normally do. Was this because they were unnecessary, or for some other reason?


They have a pretty good internal fuel load, and likely topped off numerous times to ensure they could make it to a divert base if needed. Interesting that both the KC-10 and KC-130's seem to have been on the same flight- plenty of spare baskets. Come to think of it, I'm not sure if external tanks have been fully cleared yet? Rarely see any A/B/C with external stores except for the few trials at Patuxent River.

[57mm]

Thanks for the info Sandiego89.

[Flying_Anorak]

15 refuels each to get across the pond if you believe what has been written elsewhere due to 'close to land' route chosen....