The story
The F-35 comes in three flavors: conventional (A), short takeoff and vertical landing (B), and carrier-based (C). It's the most expensive weapons program in history and is meant to replace most of the fighters in Western air forces. More than 1,300 have been built, but they almost never broadcast where they are: in six weeks the whole world feed showed exactly one. Catching one is a genuine event.
The F-35B can hover and land vertically like a helicopter, then fly at Mach 1.6 — the only stealth aircraft that can do both.
Quick answers
How do you identify a F-35 Lightning II?
Single engine, stealthy diamond-shaped fuselage. Bulkier than F-22. Three variants: A (conventional), B (STOVL), C (carrier).
What does a F-35 Lightning II sound like?
Single F135 — the most powerful fighter engine ever, producing a distinctive crackling roar.
How fast is the F-35 Lightning II?
Top speed is Mach 1.6.
How far can the F-35 Lightning II fly?
Range is about 1,200 nmi.
How big is the F-35 Lightning II?
It is 51 ft 4 in long and 35 ft 0 in across the wings.
When did the F-35 Lightning II first fly?
Its first flight was in 2006.
How many F-35 Lightning IIs have been built?
1,300+ built.
How rare is a F-35 Lightning II in Bogey?
LEGENDARY. The top tier. Spotters plan trips around a catch like this. Your first F-35 Lightning II catch is worth 1,000 points.
