F-117 secrecy.

[T28B]

Another article on F-117, this one about its air to air role.
https://theaviationist.com/2020/06/0...th-pilot-says/

[Ewan Whosearmy]

Not convinced about the F-117 having a secret HVA air-to-air role. Chris Topham was asked the question directly and he said that while it could carry the AIM-9, it had no way of employing it:

You Tube

[etudiant]

Originally Posted by Ewan Whosearmy

Not convinced about the F-117 having a secret HVA air-to-air role. Chris Topham was asked the question directly and he said that while it could carry the AIM-9, it had no way of employing it:

https://youtu.be/lJkRREyPXA4

That seems quite consistent with the Aviationist article, which indicates the idea was there but never implemented.

[Dan Gerous]

I got in on a visit to the sneaky site at Khamis after GW1, and asked one of the pilots if they did any Air Combat training on the F117 . He said they didn't do any. At least we got an answer to that one, as I think some of the questions we asked were a bit to sensitive to answer.

[LOMCEVAK]

I have seen a picture of a test firing. As I recall the missile was lowered from the bomb bay on the trapeze and then fired. I do not know whether this was a boost non-guided firing or a guided launch.

[Tashengurt]

I heard a podcast in which the ex F117 guy said they had a plan to target Mainstays if war broke out.

[chopper2004]

Austrian incursion

work up to Iraqi Freedom ....then again if the Bundesheer receivers their Typhoons at the time ...wonder if could be tracked on a numerous way..

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...trian-airspace

[NutLoose]

Originally Posted by Martin the Martian

Very, very interesting article on the F-117 and the RAF in the June edition of The Aeroplane. Well worth a read.

There was, the Uk were offered them but declined

[RAFEngO74to09]

At least 4 x F-117s used as Red Air on Red Flag 20-3:

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...rial-war-games

[chopper2004]

Miramar visit

Pair of them landed at MCAS Miramar with callsigns of ‚Knight‘ and it was no emergency divert either.

https://theaviationist.com/2020/10/2...fDgLpHf5r4oxjM

[RAFEngO74to09]

Excellent video here showing 2 x F-117 departing MCAS Miramar on October 22:

You Tube

[RAFEngO74to09]

Now spotted at Nellis AFB too:

[sandiego89]

Neat to see them still flying.

Didn't the 117 fleet go to a gray scheme when at Holloman and until their supposed retirement? Seems all the more recent sighting are in the black scheme (which looks better). Wonder why the switch back to black?

[Ewan Whosearmy]

Originally Posted by sandiego89

Neat to see them still flying.

Didn't the 117 fleet go to a gray scheme when at Holloman and until their supposed retirement? Seems all the more recent sighting are in the black scheme (which looks better). Wonder why the switch back to black?

IIRC, they only painted one grey.

[unmanned_droid]

Yes the gray scheme was a test and wasn't adopted. I think there may have been more than 1 in Gray and more than 1 scheme according to something I've read on the net.

Edited to add:
Article about the 'Gray dragon' here:

https://theaviationist.com/2013/02/2...-dragon-story/

Comments further down make reference to a 'Gray Ghost' aircraft included in trials in the mid 1990s from someone apparently there.

There was also a 'desert' scheme on one F-117A.

[NutLoose]

And one with a big flag underneath.

[Davef68]

Originally Posted by unmanned_droid

Y
There was also a 'desert' scheme on one F-117A.

Very like the scheme employed by a certain Middle east country

[unmanned_droid]

Originally Posted by Davef68

Very like the scheme employed by a certain Middle east country

Yes, almost enough to start a rumour eh....

[chopper2004]

First time I saw one was Mildenhall Air Fete 96 so here are my photos..

cheers

[chopper2004]

3 decades and fortnight ago Desert Storm kicked off with the Wobbly Goblin seine action for second time ...

Anyhow reminiscent of this the 117 has been cleared to being tanked up.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...8QItURqjKyBaQ8

cheers