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One of the last Raptors to be built.

Discussion in 'Aviation Chat' started by cletus, Aug 25, 2009.

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  1. cletus

    cletus Karting

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    #1 cletus, Aug 25, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    My brother sent me this pic and I thought you guys might like to see it. An F22 Raptor, fresh out of the factory making a shake down before the multi million dollar radar absorbing paint job. Pic was shot at Robbins AFB near Atlanta.
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  2. Dipsomaniac

    Dipsomaniac F1 Veteran

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    #2 Dipsomaniac, Aug 25, 2009
    no wonder it needs that "radar absorbing paint job" .. it would glow in the dark without it :)
     
  3. Mule

    Mule F1 Rookie
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    #3 Mule, Aug 25, 2009
    Looks like it is coming up here to Alaska (AK tail).
     
  4. Chupacabra

    Chupacabra F1 Rookie
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    #4 Chupacabra, Aug 26, 2009
    Am I missing something? Why would they put the squadron markings and the USAF logos on before painting??
     
  5. cletus

    cletus Karting

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    #5 cletus, Aug 26, 2009
    IDK? That is a good question....Maybe they have to have some identifying marks when making the shakedown flight, so it can be id'd if there is a problem??

    IIRC I saw a documentary explaining that they do not get the full paint job until they have passed the post-build test flight. Aparantly the paint is to expensive to waste if they need to replace a panel/painted part.......

    Any engineers or someone with a connection want to chime in??
     
  6. MarkPDX

    MarkPDX F1 World Champ
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    #6 MarkPDX, Aug 26, 2009
    My guess would be that there is some regulation regarding minimum markings, they always seem to get the tail markings on in the build process. I have been out to various rebuild depot locations a few times and they will have the tail number stenciled on the plane even when it's otherwise stripped to the metal.
     
  7. 10boom

    10boom Karting

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    #7 10boom, Aug 27, 2009
    It's TOP SECRET!........no, the real answer is because each airplane goes through an extensive flight testing regiment in stages and does need some identifying markings. The "AK" tail code for Elmendorf AFB is also an easy way to identify production # batch while on the assembly line.

    There are also some other "operational requirements" for flying without the gray scheme as well, but Uncle Sam keeps them to himself.....
     
  8. Chupacabra

    Chupacabra F1 Rookie
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    #8 Chupacabra, Aug 27, 2009
    K, makes sense now. Thanks!
     
  9. Bob Parks

    Bob Parks F1 Veteran
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    #9 Bob Parks, Aug 28, 2009
    Somewhere on every production unit there is a alpha-numeric code identifying the sequence or contract batch,etc. German aircraft before delivery to the Luftwaffe had factory codes on them. Here in the states we were more sophisticated during the war. We marked 'em with chalk.
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  10. Ak Jim

    Ak Jim F1 Veteran
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    #10 Ak Jim, Aug 29, 2009
    FYI, the AK is also used for the jets at Eielson.
     
  11. 10boom

    10boom Karting

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    #11 10boom, Aug 30, 2009
    Yes, you are correct. Whenever I think of pointy nosed fast jets, Elmendorf comes to the front of my mind still to this day. I hope I didn't make any of the F-16, A-10 (even though they are no longer at Eielson) or AK Air Guard -135 guys feel left out. Come to think of it, I've been to Eielson more than Elmendorf in the past few years. That new Red Flag Alaska is a pretty busy event.
     
  12. WILLIAM H

    WILLIAM H Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #12 WILLIAM H, Aug 30, 2009
    How about a Flame job instead ? :)
     
  13. Bob Parks

    Bob Parks F1 Veteran
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    #13 Bob Parks, Aug 30, 2009
    I wonder when they started using Red Duct Tape? Must be the 700 MPH type. We convinced an FAA wonk that the gap covers on the wing were left off because we were using 120 MPH rated tape. It worked.
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  14. David_S

    David_S F1 World Champ
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    #14 David_S, Aug 31, 2009
    Picture makes me think of an F40 - kinda cobbled together with awkward bits of glue, not very pretty, but does exactly what it is intended to do.

    Will always remember a pair of F22s swooping down on us then breaking off into some wild acrobatics as my ex & I were driving down some desolate road in Death Valley... Those pilots were probably wondering why they were getting paid for having so much fun.
     

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