
Originally Posted by
Jun aka Pekto
I spent a few minutes with a bunch of other drivers going 35 mph in a 50 mph zone. Most of us were busy watching an F-35 Lightning II and a WW2 P-38 Lightning fly over the base a number of times.
The F-35 caught a lot of flak in the past like it's easy to shoot down. But, we saw it do a number of vertical maneuvers that left us dumbfounded. One time, it climbed straight up from near ground level. Then, it tapered off the power until it stood still in mid-climb, followed by it very slowly sliding backward and downward. It wasn't very high either, probably 1500 ft above the ground. It nosed down and zoomed away at low level.
I also saw signs of thrust-vectoring. So, there must be different variants of the F-35 present. Anyway, I don't think the F-35 is easy meat. At least, not anymore.
My wife said the Israelis are in town. So, the base is showing off the goods. Or, maybe it's them doing the maneuvers. I dunno.