First view of the F35!

Got my work from home disrupted this morning by a low flying F35 and a typhoon . Must have been no more than 200' altitude and coordinating with a chinook in the field behind us which was at nil feet. Perhaps doing some downed pilot training? Anyway it was a cool airshow and the F35 looked stunning Kicking myself I didn't get any footage

Excellent. I have yet to see one in the flesh.

Yes indeed that would’ve been a sight to see right enough. Back in 1975 we were in the Isle of Skye visiting my wife’s Auntie. We were up in hills and looking down a valley and here was a Vulcan jet, we were both looking down on it and it seemed you could reach out and touch it, some sight back in the day.

Must have been a sight Jim. Especially in the Highlands.

I was lucky to see the vulcan on it's farewell tour a few years ago. Flew in low over Swansea bay and did the howl at full thrust.

F35 ?

Is that a new gritter ?

Tbh it was a lucky spot by the OP as they're not even meant to be seen

I got pretty close to one earlier this year

F35 hover

VERY loud (louder than I remember the Harrier being, back in the day)

They are amazing planes. But I do wonder that the VTOL system is overly complicated (twisting rear nozzle, mid body fan with elevating flap). Compared to the Harrier's simpler 4 nozzle design.

But still an amazing bit of tech.

The big problem with the Harrier was getting the joint piece fitted without any glue getting onto the moving parts... so often the swivels wouldn't let anything move and it ruined the whole model!

For anybody wishing to spot the F35, move to Cumbria! The number of times they've made me duck, my name should be Orville!

I don't know if anyone has heard them on approach, at speed? That's part of the issue: either I'm going deaf, I said EITHER I'M GOING DEAF or those things are very quiet until they are just about on top of you! That's not such a great thing for those of us of a certain age! If there is even a hint of them training in the area I go without food for several days!

I always got the canopy covered in glue not matter how hard I tried.

Nice pics there Nigel

On a general note - the UK / Japan / Italy have recently announced collaboration on the 6th gen fighter development so not sure where this leaves the F35