F-35 FrankenPanther spotted at Fort Worth

[Zaphod58]

A local Fort Worth spotter, @LensOfMae, who is regularly at the Lockheed plant, caught the Frankenpanther that Hill AFB has been rebuilding since 2023. 

In 2014, F-35 10-5015(AF-27) was taking off from Eglin AFB. During the take off roll, there was a catastrophic engine failure, resulting in parts of the engine going through fuel tanks, hydraulic lines, and the aft fuselage. It resulted in a significant fire, causing major damage to the aft fuselage, from about the in flight refueling receptacle area back, as well as a large hole through the top of the fuselage. The airframe was written off, and eventually made its way to Hill AFB where it became a ground trainer.




In June of 2020, a Hill AFB aircraft, 17-5269(AF-211), suffered a significant nose gear failure resulting in major damage to the forward fuselage. The aircraft was deemed to be a write off as a result of the damage suffered. 

Engineers at Hill AFB realized that they could potentially piece the two airframes together and get one functional airframe back. Using specialized tools built for the A-10, they were able to successfully remove the cockpit area from 5015, and 5269, and using the aft fuselage from 5269, they attached the cockpit from 5015. The job required extremely precise working due to the stealth capabilities of the F-35. 

The airframe was confirmed to have arrived at Lockheed Martin at Fort Worth, still flying with tail number 17-5269, with the nose section showing green primer, as it doesn't currently have a RAM coating. Lockheed will ensure the work done by Hill is safe, and meets specifications to ensure a no effect on RCS, as well as applying a new coating to the aircraft. It's not clear how long the work will take, or what it will entail.

https://x.com/LensOfMae/status/1882848273339457619
https://www.sandboxx.us/news/the-air-for...-the-a-10/

[Sirius]

Do they mix copper into the airframe, what is the green oxidation on the tail wing? Looks like mold

[Zaphod58]

Do they mix copper into the airframe, what is the green oxidation on the tail wing? Looks like mold

It's the primer coating under the paint. The vertical fins are coated in the RAM coat separately and are attached to the airframe already painted, but the aircraft has a primer coat under the coatings. You see it when panels are replaced, or in the case of the FrakenPanther on the entire front end. 

[UltraBudgie]

haha how will they decide who has to fly frankenamy?

[Sirius]

It's the primer coating under the paint. The vertical fins are coated in the RAM coat separately and are attached to the airframe already painted, but the aircraft has a primer coat under the coatings. You see it when panels are replaced, or in the case of the FrakenPanther on the entire front end. 

Darn, I was going to go down a rabbit hole now.  Copper has fun electromagnetic properties.