Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-117>HA5802

General Background

n the 1970’s Soviet air defense systems improved and the U.S. realized they had to develop aircraft to counter this. Lockheed Skunk Works was tasked with the job and two aircraft were built under the code name “Have Blue” that proved stealth aircraft could be produced. As a result the F-117 Nighthawk was developed and first flew in 1981 with the first production F-117 80-10785 making its maiden flight on April 20, 1982 but it wasn’t until 1988 that the Pentagon confirmed its existence.

The Aircraft

There were only 64 F-117s built with 59 being operational. It only flew from 1983 until 2008 but most aircraft saw combat in the Gulf War and former Yugoslavia. F-117 88-0843 was the 59th and last operational F-117 to be produced making its maiden flight on May 11, 1990. The aircraft was given the name “Affectionately Christine” and during the Gulf War with the 415th TFS completed 33 combat missions. Due to airframe wear and the introduction of the F-22 Raptor the F-117 was given a special paint scheme and retired.

Specifications :

Role:	Fighter/Attack
First Deployed :	1982
Retired :	April 22, 2008
Full Scale Development Aircraft :	5
Production Aircraft :	59
Crew :	1
Crew :	1
Performance
Power Plant :	2 X General Electric F404-F1D2 Turbofan Engine Each Producing 10,600 lbf (48.0 kN)
Dimensions
Length:	65 ft 11 in (20.09 m)
Wingspan:	43 ft 4 in (13.20 m)
Height:	12 ft 9 in (3.78 m)
Weight
Empty:	29,500 lbs (13,380 kg)
Loaded:	52,500 lbs (23,800 kg)
Speed
Ceiling:	45,000 ft (13,716 m)
Maximum:	617 mph (Mach .092 / 993 km/h)
Range:	930 nm (1,720 km / Unlimited with Air Refuel)
Armament:	2 X Internal Weapons Bays, 1 X Hardpoint Per Bay, Total 2 Weapons Capacity
Laser Guided Bombs:	GBU-10 Paveway II 2,000 lb Bomb
	GBU-12 Paveway II 500 lb Bomb
	GBU-16 Paveway II 1,000 Bomb
	GBU-27 Have Void (Modified GBU-24 Modified For The F-117) 2000lb
GPS Guided Bombs:	GBU-29 JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition)
	GBU-30 JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition)
	GBU-31 JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) INS/GPS Guided Munitions
	GBU-32 JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition)
	(WCMD) Wind Corrected Munition Dispenser
Missiles:	AGM-65 Maverick (Air-to-surface Guided Missile)
	AGM-88 HARM (High-speed Anti-radiation Missile)
	AGM-137 TSSAM (Tri-Service Standoff Attack Missile)
	AGM-154 JSOW (Joint Standoff Weapon)
	AGM-154 JASSM (Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile)