Photographing the F-35 Lightning II at the Royal International Air Tattoo
F-35 Lightning II is arguably the most advanced fighter jet in existence today. Seeing it in person for the first time, I was initially struck by the sheer sound of its engines. When the P&W F135 kicks in the afterburner, you can hear a unique metallic roar; In terms of noise, a single engine feels louder than the three-engine Trident airliner.
USA - Air Force Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II 15-5164 <img src=https://imgproc.airliners.net/photos/airliners/9/0/7/5157709.jpg?v=v42b38a6e3e4 referrerpolicy=“no-referrer”> I also managed to get this photo of the USAF F-35A, taken on the third day of the Air Tattoo, featured on A-net. Thank you so much!
I also captured the RAF’s F-35B on the second day of the Air Tattoo, UK - Air Force Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II ZM145 Take note of the two lift fan intake doors open above the rear of the cockpit, as well as the two open exhaust ports on the lower fuselage: <img src=https://imgproc.airliners.net/photos/airliners/5/4/7/5132745.jpg?v=v44afacde82c referrerpolicy=“no-referrer”> Actually, I’m quite embarrassed to admit that it wasn’t until today, after checking Wikipedia, that I learned there are “A”, “B”, and “C” variants of the F35:
F-35A: The conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant used by the USAF and other nations. Unit cost: $111.6 million. Successor to the F-16 and A-10, and a companion to the F-22 Raptor. F-35B: The Short Take-off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant used by the US Marine Corps and the UK. Unit cost: $109.4 million. Successor to the AV-8B Harrier. F-35C: The carrier variant (CV) considered for use by the US Navy. Unit cost: $142.9 million. Successor to the F-18, with a fuel capacity greater than even the F-22 Raptor.
This F-35B demonstrated a fantastic mid-air hover, The photo above was taken while it was suspended in the air, slowly translating. The display was absolutely spectacular; Seeing a fighter jet fly like a helicopter with your own eyes is a rare and precious experience. The trip was truly worth it.
Quoting Wikipedia again regarding the F-35B:
The two-stage counter-rotating lift fan is a new addition separate from the F135 engine and is a crucial component of the F-35B propulsion system. Installed behind the cockpit, it provides 44.5 kN of additional thrust, allowing the main engine to operate at lower temperatures and with less load, thereby improving reliability and service life. The vertical lift of the F-35B relies primarily on this two-stage counter-rotating lift fan, which naturally allows the main engine's intake to be designed smaller.
On the second day of the Air Tattoo, I also photographed the USAF F-35A. The position was basically the same as the first photo. It was cloudy that day; perhaps photos without the blue sky background aren’t as pretty, but they have their own character. <img src=https://imgproc.airliners.net/photos/airliners/7/2/7/5157727.jpg?v=v41da3baa0b2 referrerpolicy=“no-referrer”>
A head-on shot of the F-35A from the second day of the Air Tattoo, taken specifically at the runway end.
The flying display from the first day of the Air Tattoo,
The F-35's fuselage was completely enveloped in white vapor.