The F-117 is retiring next month, so i propose a campaign for the F-117. 27 years of the aircraft it has seen many combat actions and have attend many airshows around the world.
What started as a secret project that lasted under the cover of darkness for 10 years and later was open to the world after the first Iraq war. It was the first jet to start the first Iraq war and its retiring when that war have yet to end.
We might never see this aircraft in action again, with the F-22 and the F-35 coming into the future combat world, i strongly feel this would be a great send off for the F-117. A tribute to the Black Jet.



I know some would say, whats a campaign for jet which gonna look the same anyway?..all the jet will be identical etc etc..
THe point is, this jet is gonna disolve into history, like all the other aircraft of pass. Its kits gonna be found on lost hobby shops 10 years from now dusty boxes and ur grandkids or children will ask what is that aircraft? A rare kit which you ll hunt on ebay many years from now.
And to top it off, how about a medal with an individual "bandit" number for every participant? Just like the bandit pilots who flew them.

I would be interested. I have the Tamiya 1/48th F-117 sitting in my stash.

A very good idea, but the scope might be a little narrow. Basically all participants will make the same aircraft in the same overall black "camouflage".

Maybe expand the campaign to stealth aircraft? This would allow for more aircraft types, F-22, B-2, Commanche helicopter etc.

Hi all!

Interesting proposal indeed!

But I´ll go with Jesper, and expand the theme a little bit further;

Black and/or Stealth aircrafts.

Then I can build my Testors SR-71 Blackbird in 1/48!

But I´m in anyway as I also have the Tamiya F-117 in the stash, and this is considered a "soon-to-build" kit for me.

Cheers!

Stefan E

I agree with the others in regards to generalizing the campaign toward "black"/stealth aircraft which would encompass U2/TR-1, SR-71, F-117, early testors concept kits of the then unknown stealth programs (Russian Mig-37 Ferret, Russian Berkut, US F-19 and Stingbat LHX stealth helicopter) just to name a few.

Ok guys,
That would be a great idea too. But should we enlarge the scope only to "black jet" or to all stealth aircrafts?
F-117
Berkut
SR-71
U-2
Commanche

You missed the B-2 ( although technically it's grey) I'm only say as I have the Testors 1/72 offering in the stash.

Also rather than "Black Jet" or "Stealth Aircraft" how about "Skunk Works"? Basically you can build any aircraft built by the Skunk Works (did anyone mention conversion to prototypes) to celebrate the retirement of this venerable aircraft

Eerie does have a point about paying homage to this historic aircraft.
The site did the same thing with the F-14 recently, and though it came in different colors everyone who participated built essentially the same plane.

So what if a dozen people build a black plane? You could compare shading and weathering techniques. Amongst other tricks of the hobby. Sometimes replicating something as simple as 'black' can be the most challenging.

AND don't forget the F-117 that had the US flag painted over the entire ventral portion of the aircraft. No easy trick masking red and white stripes and adding all of those stars.

Just my two cents.

Keith

There was also a grey one at one point. I also believe I have seen pics of a desert camo and let not forget someone could also do a "Have Blue" conversion/scratchbuild

So guys? Go or No go?
If its a Go, how do i go about organizing a group build? Cos i never organize one before. I really felt strongly about having one last send off for this aircraft. Cos its as old as me.
I remembered when i was 10, way back in 1991 that was the first time i saw the F-117 on TV. CNN was following the first gulf war development. My dad told me the aircraft was "invincible"
When i turn 14, i saw and touch a piece of a RAM (radar absorbing materials) and learn the basic of radars etc at the local Airforce school. Again the F-117 was something that the instructors talk about.
ANd now finally when i m finally working with real planes, the aircraft is making its last flight...
I ve seen the B1 and i ve seen the B2 here in Singapore, but never the F-117.

I would go for the stealth/black aircraft theme. Then some of the special Russian types could also be build along with fx. the Commanche.

Just my 2 cents.

Ok its a go then. Just need to find out more on how to go about managing a campaign.

Here are some pointers https://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Campaigns&file=submit&req=guidelines

Anybody wants to design the campaign ribbon? PLus is it possible to upload individual ribbons for the individual bandit number?

Sorry one ribbon fits all, only one ribbon per Campaign.

Too bad on the Bandit number Idea. I m sure we can find other ways to make the participation unique.

How about "High Profile Blackbirds" for the banner name?

Sorry,

I can't particiapte in this campaign because I have recently finished a "black jet".

But maybe this could be some inspiration:

Tamiya F-117 review

For those that find the scope of the campaign to narrow, the F-117 was not only available in black, there is at least one special paint scheme with the underside completely covered with the US flag and several F-117 seemed to have been used to experiment with low visibility paint schemes (and not just black). If my info is correct then the paint scheme of the F-22 results from these tests.

Any suggestion on when we could commence this campaign? I m trying to find the first maiden flight of the F-117 as the start of the campaign

This beauty's maiden flight took place on 18 June 1981 and then introduced to the USAF in October 1983...

Also, here's a grey coloured scheme of this aircraft... I think it was used during the experimental stages of it's development.

It could be cool to start the campaign on 18th June. There will be a lot of campaigns running at the same time, but it will work anyway I think

Hi all!

In the spirit of the F-14 Campaign, I´ll build a F-117 Nighthawk as this campaign was intended to give farewell to the stealth bird!

So, I have loaded up my Tamiya 1/48 F-117 with a new seat from Quickboost, a beautiful pre-painted etched fret from Eduard and the mask set from the same source.

Go, Nighthawk!

Cheers!

Stefan E

Has the campaign been submitted yet? I think there is enough interest to get it of the ground. Especially is the previous "wide" definition of stealth aircraft will be used.

Sure seems to have enough interest, someone jump over to Campaign Guidelines and submit the Campaign, then send those interested over to Enlist.