Airshows 2007 - Part 2

Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford Saturday 14 July 2007
Photographic Copyright Caz Caswell © 2007

Related Notes & Links
2007 was the last full year the F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Fighter in operational Service and therefore the display by 84-0825 was a farewell performance, as it is extremely unlikely that an F-117 will be seen in British Skies again..

First flight of the Lockheed (later Lockheed Martin) F 117 was on the 18th of June in 1981. The existence of this Stealth Aircraft was officially released by the USAF on the 10th of November 1988. Its first public appearance was at Nellis Air Force base (USA) on the 21st of April in 1990.

Although the Aviation world knew a stealth aircraft was operational, everything else was speculation. Finally the USAF knowing that details one of the most secret Aircraft since World War II was about to leak out, formally confirmed it existed.

For nine years these Aircraft only arrived and departed during the night, this helped to keep the secret and for Aircraft Enthusiasts seeing, or even better photographing it became almost a quest for the 'Holy Grail', as a bonus it also kept the conspiracy theorist brigade occupied.

Royal International Air Tattoo
Royal Air Force Charitable Trust

United States Air Force (USAF) Public Web Site

United States Air Force (USAF) - Wikipedia Entry

49th Fighter Wing USAF - Wikipedia Entry
8th Fighter Squadron (The Black Sheep) - 49th Fighter Wing USAF - Wikipedia Entry

F-117 Nighthawk - Lockheed Martin Web Site
Lockheed Martin Web Site

F-117 Nighthawk - Wikipedia Entry

F-117A The Black Jet - Tribute Site

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