The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk is a retired American single-seat, twin-engine stealth attack aircraft that was developed by Lockheed's secretive Skunk Works division and operated by the United States Air Force (USAF). The F-117 was based on the Have Blue technology demonstrator.

The Nighthawk was the first operational aircraft to be designed around stealth technology. Its maiden flight took place in 1981 at Groom Lake, Nevada, and the aircraft achieved initial operating capability status in 1983. The Nighthawk was shrouded in secrecy until it was revealed to the public in 1988. Of the 64 F-117s built, 59 were production versions, with the other five being prototypes.

The F-117 was widely publicized for its role in the Persian Gulf War of 1991. Although it was commonly referred to as the "Stealth Fighter", it was strictly a ground-attack aircraft. F-117s took part in the conflict in Yugoslavia, where one was shot down by a surface-to-air missile (SAM) in 1999; it was the only Nighthawk to be lost in combat. The U.S. Air Force retired the F-117 in 2008, primarily due to the fielding of the F-22 Raptor.

Pictured here is a spectacular 1:72 scale diecast replica of a F117A Nighthawk stealth attack aircraft that was attached to the 53rd Test and Evaluation Group, Detachment 1, 53rd Wing, then deployed to Holloman AFB, New Mexico, during 2004. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 7-1/4-inches
Length: 11-inches

Release Date: February 2019

Historical Account: "Test, One Two..." - The 53rd Test and Evaluation Group is made up of seven squadrons, four direct-reporting detachments, five squadron detachments and five operating locations at 17 stateside bases.

They are the 28th Test Squadron, 29th Training System Squadron, and 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron at Eglin AFB, FL; 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron at Edwards AFB, CA; 422d Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis AFB, NV; 72nd Test and Evaluation Squadron at Whiteman AFB, MO, and 49th Test Squadron at Barksdale AFB, LA.

Detached units at Holloman AFB, NM; Kirtland AFB, NM; Cannon AFB, NM; Luke AFB, AZ; Tinker AFB, OK; Hill AFB, UT; and Dyess AFB, TX, support this group and its seven squadrons.

The 53rd TEG is responsible for the overall management of the wing's flying activities at Eglin and Nellis. Members of the 53rd TEG execute operational test and evaluation and tactics development and evaluation projects assigned by Headquarters Air Combat Command.

Aircraft assigned to the group include test-configured F-15 Eagle, F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16, B-1, B-2, B-52 bombers, A-10, HH60, Global Hawk, Predator, and F-22 aircraft.

The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk 0835 "The Dragon" first flew on June 30th, 1988. During the Gulf War, 0835 carried out twenty six combat missions with the 416th TFS. In 2003, 0835 was painted all gray; hence the Gray Dragon, testing the effectiveness of color other than black. The standard F-117 black scheme helped stealth at night but was poor in sun light so 0835 was flown twice daily to test the 24 hour stealth presence. Before any conclusion had been reached, the Nighthawk fleet was retired.