Hobby Master 1-72 Air Power
HA5808 Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk 49th FW/OG, August 2006

In 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.

F-177A 86-0839 c/n A.4064 was built in 1986 and delivered in 1989 assigned to the 415th TFS / 37th TFW(P). In 1991 86-0839 was named “Midnight Reaper” and assigned to Major Joseph Salata of the 415th who flew 32 missions from the King Khalid RSAF. In October 1991 the 415th TFS was re-designated the 49th FW and located at Holloman AFB, New Mexico. Salata became the CO of the 49th FW/OG/9th FS “Flying Knights”. F-117A 86-0839 took part in the August 2006 Oceana Naval Air Station air show marked as the Commander’s aircraft.

Specifications for the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk
Role – Fighter/Attack
First Deployment – 1982
Retired – April 22, 2008
Full Scale Development Aircraft – 5
Production Aircraft – 59
Crew – 1
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)
Performance
Powerplants – 2 X General Electric F404-F1D2 Turbofan Engine Each Producing 10,600 lbf (48.0 kN) Speed Maximum – 617 mph (Mach .092 / 993 km/h) Range – 930 nm (1,720 km / Unlimited with Air Refuel) Service Ceiling – 45,000 ft (13,716 m)
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)