N328KF From United States of America, joined May 2004, 6222 posts, RR: 3 Posted (6 years 10 months 3 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 5708 times:
In a nod to both the Lockheed P-38 and English Electric fighter:
WASHINGTON, July 7 (Reuters) - The stealthy F-35 Joint Strike Fighter being developed by the United States and eight other countries is to be named the "Lightning II," in homage to two earlier fighters.
The supersonic F-35 is being built by a team led by Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) at a cost of $276 billion. It is the costliest U.S. weapons program ever.
Areopagus From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 1357 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (6 years 10 months 3 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 5674 times:
The YF-22 was called Lightning II. Wikipedia says: The name "Lightning II" persisted until the mid-1990s, and for a short while, the plane was also dubbed "Rapier". The F-22 became the "Raptor" when the first production-representative plane was unveiled on April 9, 1997, at Lockheed-Georgia Co., Marietta, Georgia.
DeltaDC9 From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 2844 posts, RR: 4 Reply 5, posted (6 years 10 months 3 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 5661 times:
Quoting Ptrjong (Reply 4): The Lightning name was much better suited to the F-22 than to this new flying frog.
What is your problem with the F-35 anyway?
The F-22 would have been the better plane for the name though, simply due to the fact that the P-38 represents the first highly successful twin engined fighter.
But, the F-35 has the most powerful fighter jet engine in the world, so it is in its own way revolutionary in that respect. The whole point of the P-38 was more power, so I guess it does make sense.
Dont take life too seriously because you will never get out of it alive - Bugs Bunny
DEVILFISH From Philippines, joined Jan 2006, 4427 posts, RR: 1 Reply 8, posted (6 years 10 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 5611 times:
Quoting AirRyan (Reply 1):
Was the F-22 ever considered for this name or was this just the computer sim company calling it the Lightning?
According to Flightglobal, Lightning II was one of the names originally suggested for the F-22. http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles...'s+F-35+JSF+the+Lightning+II.html
I believe they've chosen a most fitting name, since Lockheed made the P-38 and the UK, the only Level 1 partner in the JSF, had the EE version. Would this mean the end of naming new fighters after birds of prey, and the revival of WWII legends?
Quoting DeltaDC9 (Reply 5): Quoting Ptrjong (Reply 4):
The Lightning name was much better suited to the F-22 than to this new flying frog.
What is your problem with the F-35 anyway?
Let him have his fun. He's just found a way to get even for the Whalejet.
DeltaDC9 From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 2844 posts, RR: 4 Reply 9, posted (6 years 10 months 3 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 5611 times:
Quoting Ptrjong (Reply 7): Quoting DeltaDC9 (Reply 5):
What is your problem with the F-35 anyway?
That is NOT the F-35, FYI. I can see why you feel that way, pictured is the losing Boeing offereing that was not chosen.
The F-35 basically looks like a smaller F-22 with one engine.
Dont take life too seriously because you will never get out of it alive - Bugs Bunny
Ptrjong From Netherlands, joined Mar 2005, 3769 posts, RR: 20 Reply 11, posted (6 years 10 months 3 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 5592 times:
Thanks guys, that was very stupid of me.
The Lockheed aircraft does look a lot better to be honest, although I think I saw a side-on photo of the F-35 that also made it look quite ugly.
Quoting DeltaDC9 (Reply 5): The F-22 would have been the better plane for the name though, simply due to the fact that the P-38 represents the first highly successful twin engined fighter.
That was what I meant, too. A twin, a big fighter, more of an interceptor (The Lightning I was actually designed as an interceptor I believe).
BTW I love the Whale name.
Cheers
Peter
[Edited 2006-07-07 23:53:56]
The only difference between me and a madman is that I am not mad (Salvador Dali)
AirSpare From United States of America, joined Jun 2006, 589 posts, RR: 5 Reply 12, posted (6 years 10 months 3 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 5562 times:
I can't agree with the name Lightning, or can think of any historic name for this aircraft. As it really does not have a link to the past, it might as well be called the Jug (or Thunderbolt II which may be most appropriate), or Corsair II, Skyhawk doesn't cut it, Thunderchief II is to "60s".
To bad we did'nt have a poll to name it, that may have been fun though I might have missed it if there were.
Thorny From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 14, posted (6 years 10 months 3 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 5554 times:
Quoting AirSpare (Reply 12): I can't agree with the name Lightning, or can think of any historic name for this aircraft. As it really does not have a link to the past, it might as well be called the Jug (or Thunderbolt II which may be most appropriate), or Corsair II, Skyhawk doesn't cut it, Thunderchief II is to "60s".
I am one who was very disappointed F-22 was named for a dinosaur instead of Lightning II, so I accept F-35 as second-best.
FYI... Corsair II was the name of the A-7. Republic Aviation is dead and gone, and with it, most likely, the "Thunder-" names (P-47, F-84, F-84F, RF-84F, XF-84H, F-105, A-10) Thunderbolt II is the official name of the A-10, the end of the road for Republic.
N328KF From United States of America, joined May 2004, 6222 posts, RR: 3 Reply 18, posted (6 years 10 months 3 weeks ago) and read 5448 times:
Quoting Thorny (Reply 14): FYI... Corsair II was the name of the A-7. Republic Aviation is dead and gone, and with it, most likely, the "Thunder-" names (P-47, F-84, F-84F, RF-84F, XF-84H, F-105, A-10) Thunderbolt II is the official name of the A-10, the end of the road for Republic.
Republic became Fairchild-Republic, which became Fairchild-Dornier. They only recently folded.
When they call the roll in the Senate, the Senators do not know whether to answer 'Present' or 'Not guilty.' T.Roosevelt
VirginFlyer From New Zealand, joined Sep 2000, 4502 posts, RR: 50 Reply 19, posted (6 years 10 months 2 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 5411 times:
I reckon it would actually have been quite a good name - the aircraft are similar in a number of respects - single pilot, single engine, strike fighter. It even has the same style of intake when viewed from above...
Lehpron From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 7028 posts, RR: 22 Reply 20, posted (6 years 10 months 2 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 5197 times:
Quoting DeltaDC9 (Reply 5): Quoting Ptrjong (Reply 4):
The Lightning name was much better suited to the F-22 than to this new flying frog.
What is your problem with the F-35 anyway?
Awe, now we see how something simple turns offensive. Both of you should be slapped, IMO.
The meaning of life is curiosity; we were put on this planet to explore opportunities.
Scottieprecord From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 1363 posts, RR: 12 Reply 21, posted (6 years 10 months 2 weeks 5 days ago) and read 5148 times:
I toured the Lockheed plant in Ft. Worth... That plane is the most badass piece of technology I've ever seen...
The actual construction techniques of the F-35 are amazing... it makes the F-22 look old, and the F-16 ancient. I can't wait for that plane to become operational!
I kinda like the name "Lightning II". Seems fitting to me...
Ptrjong From Netherlands, joined Mar 2005, 3769 posts, RR: 20 Reply 22, posted (6 years 10 months 2 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 5109 times:
Here is the picture that caused me to call the F-35 a flying frog (even though I foolishly tried to illustrate that with an F-32 picture).
There's no need to agree with me on this, of course, and certainly no need to feel offended by it, unless you are the designer of the F-35 AND beauty was your design target.
Peter
The only difference between me and a madman is that I am not mad (Salvador Dali)
DeltaDC9 From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 2844 posts, RR: 4 Reply 23, posted (6 years 10 months 2 weeks 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 5080 times:
Quoting Lehpron (Reply 20): Awe, now we see how something simple turns offensive. Both of you should be slapped, IMO.
Who was offended? It was a simple question based on a remark that seemed a little strange due to the fact that the F-35 is very impressive to look at IMO.
Maybe you should be slapped for trying to find a problem where there is none!
Quoting Ptrjong (Reply 22): There's no need to agree with me on this, of course, and certainly no need to feel offended by it, unless you are the designer of the F-35 AND beauty was your design target
As I said above, I had never seen anyone really upset with the looks of the F-35, and from the picture above of it flying it is a pretty good looking plane, but not to everyone I am sure. The picture you post is not doing it justice thats for sure, and that Boeing plane was just bizzarre, like they took the Corsair and mated it with an F-18.
Do you still not like it after seeing a more flattering picture? Just curious.
Dont take life too seriously because you will never get out of it alive - Bugs Bunny
Ptrjong From Netherlands, joined Mar 2005, 3769 posts, RR: 20 Reply 24, posted (6 years 10 months 2 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 5022 times:
Hi DeltaDC9,
Quoting DeltaDC9 (Reply 23): picture you post is not doing it justice thats for sure,
That is true, and yes, it does looks better from other angles. But I don't think it's a good-looking fighter. It's too flat and square and the nose, especially, is too short.
Quoting DeltaDC9 (Reply 23): that Boeing plane was just bizzarre
I'm glad everybody seems to agree on THAT.
Quoting DeltaDC9 (Reply 23): like they took the Corsair and mated it with an F-18
Now you're insulting the Corsair
The only difference between me and a madman is that I am not mad (Salvador Dali)
25 MigFan: I just get the "hawk" name popping into my head when I see this aircraft. It is not as elegant as the F-16, or even the F/A-18, but to say it is ugly
26 N328KF: Don't forget: F-15 Eagle -> "Starship" (though "Eagle" was a good name, so it was still widely used.) EA-6B Prowler -> "Queer" F-111 -> "Aardvark" (t
27 DeltaDC9: I can see why you would think that, but is is simply form following function. The huge diameter of the engine, combined with the internal weapons bay
28 MigFan: The F-4 is definetley a bad-ass looker. It has an arched-back appearance like a pissed-off cat. I do not think it is as sleek or clean as the F-16, F-
29 Ptrjong: I never doubted its functionality (because I don't know enough of this aircraft, as I have amply proven). I just happen to think it doesn't look very
30 DeltaDC9: I cant decide why I dont like the way the EF looks, I think you might be on to something. They are loud, they are smokey, but they just seem to slip
31 Okelleynyc: Is it just me or do the weapon bay doors look like they don't seat completely flush? Perhaps it's just the way in which the photo was taken? The close
32 Usnseallt82: They just had the inauguration of the F-35 in Ft. Worth at the Lockheed Martin Corp... (all pictures from http://www.navy.mil )
33 DEVILFISH: Nice pics. Thanks for sharing. The last three shots more than made up for the ungainly side view in Flight's release. Though the bulging cheeks and n
34 Okelleynyc: I dunno, while I like the frog analogy, I think it looks more like a pelican. An example: http://www.lotsofrobots.com/images/Pelican_M.jpg
35 MigFan: The aircraft has a wide stance. Plus, the short stubby wings should make for a manoeverable aircraft. One thing is sure, do not judge a book by it's c
36 AerospaceFan: Great pics of the F-35! I'd pay quite a lot to have one of those in my garage!
37 MissedApproach: Isn't it bad enough that car companies are recycling all the names from the great American muscle cars & using them on crappy, pale modern imitations
38 Fumanchewd: I've always liked... B52 BUFF and F105 Thud
39 N328KF: Not only that, but many car names are taken from aircraft. Witness Mustang and Viggen.
40 Baron95: Mustang II would be more appropriate than Lighting II. Mustang as in, single engine, most powerful single fighter engine ever, range, payload, ground
41 MigFan: How about, we call it "Splitting Hairs" ? /M
42 DEVILFISH: We're not. It's for sure that while it may look ungainly on the ground, like some birds, it would be powerful, graceful and majestic once airborne! W
43 N328KF: Please quote the proper person in the future.
44 Thorny: I'm not so sure. P-38 was used in more roles than the P-51 was (at least, not counting the unimpressive Allison-powered A-36s), which would seem to b
45 DEVILFISH: Sorry about that. Got the first passage but my eyes strayed to your quote on the next. Getting old. Cessna might have an issue with that.
46 N328KF: If anyone would, it would be Boeing, as the successor to North American. Anyhow, there are plenty of cases of name reuse in the aerospace industry. G
47 DeltaDC9: I think maybe Firebird might be a good name. What about Phantom III? Great name for a stealthy plane really. I agree, tradition is a great thing if t
48 Thorny: If you like planes that look like someone closed the hangar door on its when it was half way through! Its amazing that plane flies as well as it does
49 DEVILFISH: For a strike fighter, that is actually quite apt. Makes me think it wouldn't be too long before we see the rebirth of the "Thunderbird" and dread the
50 AirRyan: The CH-46 is the one and only perfect Phrog! They could dub the F-35 the Toad and that'd work for me!
52 Ptrjong: Another bad angle for the F-35. I'm sticking to my opinion. Unsexy aircraft, looking like somebody worked with a sledgehammer on it to make it fit in
53 DeltaDC9: Then there is the Thunderbolt, as in P-47. Always liked that one too. We could have had Thunderbolt and Lightning if the F-22 had been called Thunder
54 Garnetpalmetto: There's already a Thunderbolt in service - the A-10 Thunderbolt II, lest we forget, it's official name isn't "Warthog."
55 DeltaDC9: DOH! How in the hell did I forget that? It is one of my favorite planes! Still would have been cool though.
56 DEVILFISH: Shades of Queen!..... .....very, very frightening things......Galileo..... Although it looks like Hulk Hogan's disappearing boat - beautiful in its ow
57 DeltaDC9: I am truly impressed you caught the reference to my all time favorite band.
58 DEVILFISH: Nothing to it. Only goes to show how old I am.